Comelec set to proclaim 12 new senators on Thursday

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and Chairman Andres Bautista lead the National Board of Canvassers in PICC, Pasay City. LYN RILLON

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is gearing up for the proclamation of the country’s 12 new senators and winning party-list groups.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, will proclaim the new senators along with the winning party-list groups on Thursday, May 19.

Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the proclamation would start at around 2 p.m.

“Tuloy na tuloy ang proclamation. It will be set in the afternoon because we have to prepare all the papers in the morning. Our people are very busy preparing the (proclamation) documents,” Guanzon told reporters on Wednesday.

The Comelec has decided that for this year, all 12 senators will be proclaimed at the same time.

She said people would expect the senators to wear Filipiniana garb for tomorrow’s event.

“Naka-robe lang kami. You’ll expect siguro yung mga senador naka-barong at Filipiniana kasi historic yung proclamation,” Guanzon said.

Based on the NBOC’s canvass report on Monday which showed partial, official tally, the following are the senatorial candidates who have entered the “magic 12”:

1. Franklin Drilon

2. Joel Villanueva

3. Vicente Sotto III

4. Panfilo Lacson

5. Richard Gordon

6. Juan Miguel Zubiri

7. Manny Pacquiao

8. Risa Hontiveros

9. Francis Pangilinan

10. Sherwin Gatchalian

11. Ralph Recto

12. Leila de Lima

As of Wednesday afternoon, the NBOC is yet to admit the certificate of canvass from the province of Northern Samar.

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