Comelec proclaims 9 senators-elect

By Kristine L. Alave,
Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net,
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:26:00 05/15/2010



Filed Under: Elections, Inquirer Politics, Politics, Eleksyon 2010


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100515-270134/Comelec-proclaims-9-senators-elect


MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The Commission on Elections proclaimed on Saturday the first nine of 12 winners in the senatorial polls last May 10.

But only Senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Pia Cayetano, and Vicente Sotto III were present before the Comelec, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Ralph Recto arrived late, while Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were absent.

The top nine senators were either re-electionists or returnees to the Senate. Only Marcos is a neophyte.

The first batch of newly-elected officers was proclaimed by members of the Comelec en banc at 3:20 p.m. at the Comelec Command Center.

At the start of the ceremonies, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said the proclamation was the fruit of the hardwork and struggles Comelec underwent during the first national automated elections in the country.

“After the Comelec’s long struggle to automate the country’s election, then after a peaceful campaign of the candidates…we’re here today to celebrate the results of our hard work and dedication,” Melo said.

“For the senators-elect, this proclamation ceremony represents the clear vox populi, speaking with the transcendent authority of vox dei, you are now our representatives. You are our champions. Do not let us down,” he said.

“To all the senators-elect therefore and on behalf of the Commission en banc, I extend our congratulations and, in doing so, hand over the expectations of the Filipino people to you,” Melo said.

The National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) has processed 115 of 274 certificates of canvass as it reconvened on Saturday morning. Locally, 96 of the 103 certificates of canvass have been tallied, according to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Only Regions III, VI, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Autonomous Region have yet to complete the transmission of provincial COCs.

Jimenez, during the program, said that the three senators who would complete the 12 senatorial positions would be proclaimed once all CoCs have been processed by the NBOC.


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100515-270134/Comelec-proclaims-9-senators-elect