WHILE the top 10 seats appear solid, the mad dash for the final two spots in the Senate remains messy, based on the latest report of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).
Based on the third canvassed report released by the NBOC late Thursday night, May 16, re-electionist Senators Nancy Binay, Bam Aquino, and JV Ejercito, as well as former senator Bong Revilla continue the dog fight for the last two seats.
This after Binay (11,041,386) and Aquino (11,001,047) managed to reclaim the 11th and 12th spots, respectively, after previously occupying the 12th and 13th slots, respectively.
Just outside looking in is Revilla (10,988,697), who climbed from 14th to 13th, while Ejercito (10,984,412) dropped to 14th after a brief stay at 11th spot.
At 15th spot is former senator Jinggoy Estrada (8,654,021).
Over at the top of the senatorial race, Senator Cynthia Villar (19,383,224), Senator Grace Poe (17,043,889), former presidential aide Christopher "Bong" Go (15,685,847), Representative Pia Cayetano (15,330,363), former police chief Ronald dela Rosa (14,529,585), and Senator Sonny Angara (14,023,811) maintained their stronghold of the first six seats.
Former senator Lito Lapid (12,628,054), meanwhile, overtook Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos (12,618,428) at 7th spot after the latter slid to 8th.
Retaining the 9th and 10th spots are former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino (11,975,435), and Senator Koko Pimentel (11,283,357), respectively.
As for party-list organizations, occupying the top 10 spots are ACT-CIS (2,147,970), Ako Bicol (980,443), Bayan Muna (864,333), Cibac (725,753), Ang Probinsyano (616,217), 1Pacman (572,885), Probinsyano Ako (509,924), An Waray (421,050), Senior Citizens (415,308), and Apec (382,122).
At next 10 slots are Marino (374,924), Magsasaka (374,795), Abono (374,088), Gabriela (364,006), Tingog Sinirangan (362,286), Ako Bisaya (347,917), Coop-Natcco (344,290), Philreca (312,026), Act Teachers (310,707) and Buhay (299,755).
The partial and official tally is sourced from the first 107 certificates of canvass (COCs) canvassed by the NBOC out of the 167 total COCs set to be canvassed at the Philippine International Convention Center Tent Forum in Pasay City. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)