A vote counting machine. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The suspension of canvassing for senators and party-lists is normal, said election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Monday.
This came after the Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), suspended the canvassing of votes on Monday afternoon.
According to Macalintal, however, this is due to the fact that there is no certificate of canvass yet.
“Ang na-suspend lang po ‘yung canvassing ng National Board of Canvassers ng Comelec for senatorial and party-list elections,” clarified Macalintal in a press briefing.
(What has been suspended is the canvassing of the National Board of Canvassers of the Comelec for the senatorial and partylist elections has just been suspended.)
“Normal po ‘yan na hindi sila magca-canvass tonight dahil walang darating na certificate of canvass sa comelec, kaya suspended po ‘yan until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.,” he added.
(It is normal that they do not canvass tonight because there is no certificate of canvass coming from the comelec, so it is suspended until tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.)
Macalintal said the Comelec will have to wait for the hard copies of the certificate of canvass before starting.
“And no one from the provincial or city board of canvassers would produce these certificates of canvass ngayong gabi, kaya sinuspend po ‘yan ng Comelec kasi wala silang gagawin ngayong gabi, sayang lang ang kuryente at manpower,” said Macalintal.
(And no one from the provincial or city board of canvassers would produce these certificates of canvass tonight, so the Comelec suspended that because they have nothing to do tonight, it will be just a waste of electricity and manpower.)
However, electronic transmission will push through “so by 12 m.n. or 1 a.m., those from small municipalities might be able to proclaim winners on the local races,” said Macalintal.
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