Comelec on early proclamation: Wait until canvassing ends

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, May 14, told those appealing for an early proclamation to wait until the canvassing ends.

This was in response to a call by SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who is at the sixth spot of the senatorial race as of posting, to proclaim leading senators amid the vote counting.

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said Marcoleta’s concern was referred to a supervisory group which will come up with a recommendation.

The Comelec en banc, which convened as the National Board of Canvassers, decided to have one proclamation and not partial.

“As to proclamation, that rests exclusively on the sole discretion po ng National Board of Canvassers po,” Laudiangco said in a press briefing. “At this rate, mukhang hindi naman po natin kailangan madaliin dahil napakabilis naman po talaga ng pagpasok.”

[Translation: At this rate, it seems we do not need to hasten the proclamation because the canvassing is fast.]

“In less than one week makakapagproklama ka, halimbawa, okay lang naman po siguro na makikihintay na lang,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

[Translation: If it is likely that the proclamation comes in less than a week, I think it is okay to just wait.]

The National Board of Canvassers began counting votes on Tuesday, a day after the midterm polls. On its first day of canvassing, it tallied a record high 58 out of 175 certificates of canvass.

READ: Comelec hoping ‘historic’ completion of vote canvassing on May 15

It is eyeing to complete the canvassing on Thursday and hold the proclamation at the weekend.