THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed this afternoon the 12 senators who won during the May 12 mid-term elections.
The proclamation also marked the first time that the poll body was able to proclaim the winners in less than one week, the fastest in the history of mid-term elections in the country.
All 12 winning senators came to the proclamation venue, which was at the Manila Hotel Tent City.
As a matter of protocol, the 12th placer in the so-called “Magic 12” was called first onstage until the 1st placer, which was the last winning senator called onstage. Each winning senator was allowed to bring their companions on stage for a photo opportunity, and were each allowed to deliver a five-minute speech.
Re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos, who was in 12th place with 13,339,227 votes was called first, while the topnotcher, another re-electionist, Senator Bong Go, topped the field with 27,121,073 votes, and was the last to be proclaimed.
Returning senators Bam Aquino, who placed second with 20,971,899 votes, and Kiko Pangilinan, who was No. 5 with 15,343,229 votes were among those proclaimed. Pangilinan, though, was not present during the proclamation since he attended the graduation of his daughter Frankie in the United States.
Aside from Go, PDP-Laban senatorial bets Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was at 3rd place with 20,773,946 votes while first-time Senator and former congressman Rodante Marcoleta placed 6th with 15,250,723 votes were also proclaimed.
From the administration senatorial slate, Erwin Tulfo garnered the highest number of votes with 17,118,881 and ranked 4th, while Panfilo Lacson (7th with 15,106,111 votes), Tito Sotto (8th with 14,832,996 votes), Pia Cayetano at 9th with 14,573,430 votes, Camille Villar at 10th with 13,651,274 votes, and Manuel “Lito” Lapid at 11th with a total of 13,394,102 votes.
Overall, the poll body completed the canvassing of the 175 Certificates of Canvass in only three days after the May 12 elections.