Brillantes expects proclamation of 12 senators by Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines–Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Monday expressed optimism the 12 newly elected senators will be proclaimed by Wednesday night, but remained cautious on the last three spots that have always proved to be contentious.

“We hope we will be able to proclaim all 12 by Wednesday but it is very possible that there will be a close voting (results) for the 11th, 12th, and 13th (candidates). But we will try to proclaim as many as we can from Wednesday night,” Brillantes said in a press conference at the National Canvassing tent at the PICC.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. cast his vote Monday during the local absentee voting of the May 2013 elections. He was with commissioner Grace Padaca who also cast her vote.

Brillantes said there was likely to be a 70 percent turnout of voters for this year’s midterm elections, slightly lower than the 76 percent turnout in 2010, the presidential elections.

Brillantes said that at 6 p.m. on Monday night, the Comelec en banc would convene as the National Board of Canvassers to “set up, lay down” the procedures of the canvassing.

He said the en banc as the NBC will decide during its meeting what time it would reconvene to begin the canvassing of votes.

“We have to discuss that (starting the canvassing) with the members of the en banc,” he said.

The NBC is comprised of Brillantes and election commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, Grace Padaca, Christian Robert Lim, Al Parreño, and Louie Tito Guia.

Brillantes said the proclamation of winners in the municipal level could take place by midnight on Monday.

He said the proclamation of winners in the provincial level could be within 36 hours after the voting ends at 7 p.m. on Monday.