Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, during one of the Senate’s hybrid plenary sessions. Senate PRIB file photo / Albert Calvelo
MANILA, Philippines — Citing the large gap shown in the unofficial count of the president and vice presidential races, Congress is eyeing the proclamation of the country’s next leaders by Wednesday at the earliest, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Zubiri said the canvassing of Congress may take up two days. He, however, assured that they will not “shortcut the process.”
“We’re looking at two days. Our experience, ang pinagusapan namin kahapon, lalo na sa ganitong klaseng outcome na medyo malaki ang agwat at talagang convincing ang panalo ay hindi masyadong maraming objections,” Zubiri said.
“Ang aming pinag usapan kahapon, kung kaya po ng ng Wednesday ng gabi…late afternoon or early evening, we will definitely do it by Wednesday, the proclamation,” he added.
“We will not shortcut the process,” he also said.
According to Zubiri, presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and leading vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has been advised to make themselves available on the said day.
The partial and unofficial count by the Commission on Elections showed Marcos leading the presidential race with over 31 million votes while his chief rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, garnered 14.81 million votes.
Duterte-Carpio is leading with nearly 32 million votes for the vice-presidential race while Senator Francis Pangilinan, who ranks second, has 9.230 million votes.
Zubiri said the Senate and the House of Representatives will convene in a joint session Tuesday morning.
During the session, Congress will approve the rules of the joint canvassing committee, which will be composed of a number of senators and House lawmakers.
Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Nancy Binay, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, and Pia Cayetano will form the Senate contingent in the canvassing committee.
Their alternates are Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, according to Zubiri.
“We don’t really see too many problems that may arise. Of course we will still be inspecting the COCs (certificates of canvass), titignan po natin kung yung mga pangalan na nandoon ay official and authentic names and signatures, the usual,” Zubiri went on.
“And of course, no discrepancy between the two documents, yung electronically transferred and yung dineliver sa atin, kailangan pare-pareho ang numero,” he added.