The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set its sights on proclaiming the 12 senators elected in the recent May 12 midterm elections by the end of this week, with a target of Friday or Saturday.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia expressed optimism regarding the expedited arrival of the Certificates of Canvass (COCs), crucial documents containing election results. “We expect the arrival of COCs to be faster,” Garcia stated during a press conference on Tuesday. “Hopefully, Friday or Saturday we will be able to proclaim.”
The poll body is processing a total of 175 COCs, which include those from overseas voting. An initial batch of approximately 30 COCs arrived on Tuesday, signaling the commencement of the canvassing process. “We will canvass votes as they come,” Garcia affirmed.
The Comelec, acting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), reconvened on Tuesday to begin the official count for senators and party-list groups. The process initiated with the canvassing of COCs from local absentee voting, Baguio City, and Ifugao. Subsequently, COCs from several international locations, including Timor-Leste, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Myanmar, and Singapore, were also processed.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco confirmed that the public will receive regular updates through the release of partial official tallies, starting Wednesday. These tallies will be based on the COCs canvassed from the preceding day, ensuring transparency and timely dissemination of election results.
This methodical approach underscores the Comelec’s commitment to delivering accurate and prompt election results, facilitating a smooth transition and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
