Comelec defers 13 bets’ proclamation

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Alfredo Benipayo reset to next week the proclamation of the 13 winners in the senatorial elections as poll officials continue to wait for the certificates of canvass from Minda-nao.

The poll body, which was expected to proclaim the winning candidates yesterday, will be canvassing less than two percent of the total number of votes on Monday.

Canvassing yesterday ended at 11:30 a.m. after the Comelec completed the canvassing of the certificates from Eastern Samar and Baybay, Leyte. Officials will have the weekend off as they wait for the remaining certificates to arrive in Manila.

Violence has hampered the canvassing of municipal certificates of canvass in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. Because of this, the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) has decided to allow canvassing of these municipal certificates at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

"This will allow us to quickly get the results," Benipayo said.

He pointed out that the lawyers of different political parties have expressed no objection to the canvassing at the PICC.

The NBOC only needs the certificates from the two provinces to complete the tally and declare the winners.

Several municipalities and precincts in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao held special elections only last Wednesday after the NBOC declared a failure of elections in identified hot spots.

There has been no change in the rankings in the senatorial race with People Power Candidates (PPC) grabbing eight of 13 slots. Independent candidate Noli de Castro leads the race with almost 16 million votes.

Meanwhile, President Estrada said yesterday he was eagerly awaiting the proclamation of his wife, Dr. Luisa Ejercito.

The former first lady, who ran under the opposition Puwersa ng Masa coalition, is clinging on to the 11th spot of the winning circle.