Pink power? Bam, Kiko in Senate race 'Magic 12'

MANILA, Philippines — As partial, unofficial results were tallied last night, the surprise was the strong showing of former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.

Candidates of the administration Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, who were predicted to dominate the Senate race, were edged out by their rivals in the pro-Duterte camp plus a smattering of independents and the two bets endorsed by former vice president Leni Robredo, Aquino and Pangilinan.

As the partial, unofficial count hit 62 percent, reelectionist Sen. Bong Go occupied the top spot in many areas, but Aquino was the No. 1 pick in a significant number of vote-rich areas.

Incumbent SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta also entered the Magic 12, placing a suprising 6th in the partial count.

Comelec has formally convened as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) to start the canvassing of results of the senatorial and party-list elections.

Upon convening the NBOC, Comelec Chairman George Garcia approved the installation of the Consolidation Canvassing System (CCS) to be used for the canvassing of electronically generated certificates of canvass (COC) coming from all Board of Canvassers (BOC) nationwide.

The NBOC will also canvass the COCs from 93 Philippine posts abroad.

Garcia said the NBOC will not just be performing simple canvassing, but they will be canvassing the people’s will and the voice of the nation.

Since it has yet to receive any COC, the NBOC adjourned after the initialization of the CCS. The NBOC is set to reconvene at 10 a.m. today.

Suspension order

At least 19 candidates will not be proclaimed even if they win in yesterday’s elections, Comelec said.

According to Garcia, the poll body ordered the suspension of proclamation of 19 candidates with pending disqualification cases.

He noted that the suspension orders were based on the merits and evidence presented.

“Without interfering with the mandate of the people, the Commission just wants to retain our jurisdiction (over the candidates),” Garcia said, adding that they may issue more suspensions of proclamations. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano