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Tuesday, May 25, 2004
11 senatorial bets declared winners
MANILA -- Despite 350,000 votes that still have to be canvassed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proceeded with the proclamation of 11 senatorial winners at 7:10 Monday night.
Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said the uncounted votes from the province of Sarangani and Cotabato City will not affect the votes cast for the top 11 candidates.
Proclaimed as senators from the administration party were Manuel Roxas II, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Pilar "Pia" Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, and Richard Gordon.
Those from Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino are Aquilino Pimentel, Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, Alfredo Lim, Juan Ponce-Enrile, and Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada.
At 12th spot is reelectionist Sen. Rodolfo Biazon with 10,570, 586. Sen. Robert Barbers follows Biazon closely with 10,538,890.
The Comelec deferred Biazon's proclamation as it has yet to canvass certificates of canvass (COCs) from Sarangani, which has 221,912 registered voters, and Cotabato City, which has 121,398 registered voters.
The combined registered number of voters in these areas is 343,310, which will enable Barbers to overtake Biazon.
Placing 13th, 14th, and 15th are Ernesto Maceda with 9,094,147; John Osmeņa, 9,829,125; and Orlando Mercado, 8,247,242.
Comelec will reconvene en banc Tuesday to canvass COCs from Sarangani and Cotabato City.
All senators-elect will serve for six years beginning June 30.
"It's a great sense of responsibility," Roxas said in an interview after the proclamation.
President Arroyo attended the proclamation ceremonies at the Philippine International Convention Center where the Comelec has been canvassing the senatorial and party-list candidates since May 15.
Actor Fernando Poe Jr., Arroyo's closest rival for the top seat in Mala-caņang, also showed up.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said he invited Arroyo as well as all candidates and political parties.
"In record-breaking time, despite the additional 74 COCs from abroad, we were able to finish canvassing in 10 days. Usually it takes the commission 15 days to canvass 102 COCs," Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said, as he saluted Comelec personnel in the field for the fast tally and canvassing. (Sunnex/With wire reports)
(May 25, 2004 issue)
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