Comelec to decide on motion to suspend proclamation of winning senators

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), is set to decide on the motion of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to suspend the proclamation of winning senators.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said during a hearing Thursday that five candidates have expressed the desire to file their opposition to UNA’s motion.

Lawyers for the Liberal Party (LP), reelectionist Senator Francis Escudero, senatorial candidates Grace Poe, Aquilino Pimentel III, and Alan Peter Cayetano had all said they would oppose UNA’s motion.

Wednesday night, UNA deputy secretary general Sherwin Gatchalian filed a motion to suspend the proclamation of the winning senators, citing alleged data manipulation and slow transmission of election results.

Brillantes suspended the hearing and said that the poll body would deliberate and decide on the motion of UNA.