UNA plots next move after losing bid to suspend proclamation

Rep. Toby Tiangco, campaign manager of UNA. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) secretary general Toby Tiangco said they are studying their next move following the denial of the motion to defer proclamation they filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“[We] will let our legal team study this,” Tiangco said in a text message after they lost their bid to postpone the proclamation of winning candidates in the senatorial race.

UNA’s counsel asked for reconsideration, but Brillantes said the decision of the Comelec en banc cannot be subjected to a motion for reconsideration.

In effect, the Comelec en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, shall continue with the counting of vote returns, as well as the possible proclamation of five or six winners at 7 p.m. Thursday, as earlier announced.

On Wednesday, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) filed a motion to defer Comelec’s proclamation of winning candidates following reports of “manipulated data” and “slow transmission of vote returns.”