Updated @ 12:58 a.m., May 10, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — Actor Robin Padilla is so far the top choice among senatorial candidates, based on the partial and unofficial count of poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on Monday night.
Padilla got more than 22.2 million votes, based on the electronically transmitted results received by the poll watchdog from 57,669 clustered precincts as of 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday
He was followed by Antique Rep. Loren Legarda with more than 20.8 million votes and broadcast personality Raffy Tulfo who got more than 20 million votes.
Placing fourth is reelectionist Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian with 17.7 million votes, closely followed by Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero with 17.5 million and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar with 16.5 million.
Completing the senatorial bets so far entering the so-called Magic 12 were:
- Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano – 16.5 million votes
- Reelectionist Sen. Joel Villanueva – 15.989 million votes
- Reelectionist Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri – 15.988 million votes
- Former Sen. JV Ejercito – 13.5 million votes
- Reelectionist Sen. Risa Hontiveros – 13.3 million votes
- Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada – 12.8 million votes
Most of the senators currently in the Magic 12 are affiliated with the tandem of presidential contender Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his vice-presidential candidate, Davao City Mayor Davao Duterte-Carpio.
Three are a part of the senatorial slate of the said tandem, while Legarda and Zubiri are guest candidates of the Marcos-Duterte.
On the other hand, Ejercito, Villanueva, and Escudero were only endorsed by Duterte-Carpio.
The only candidates not affiliated with the tandem are Cayetano and Tulfo, both of whom ran as independents, and Hontiveros, who is running under the senate slate of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
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