MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expected to declare the senatorial and party-list race winners a week after the May 9 elections.
In a television interview on Monday, Commissioner George Garcia stated that the canvassing of results of the 12 winning senators and a still undetermined number of party-list groups may end by May 15.
“We can already proclaim the senators or party-list winners at the latest May 16,” he said.
The Comelec en banc will sit as the National Board of Canvassers.
However, Garcia is certain that the results of the local elections will be disclosed hours after the voting precincts have closed.
“On May 9, we can only proclaim the mayor and vice mayor. Early the following day, we can next proclaim the congressman, governor, vice governor, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” he said.
The campaign period will conclude on May 7.
The voting period on election day will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Comelec en banc confirmed the First Division’s decision to revoke Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor of Sultan Kudarat.
The decision indicated that the respondent did not bring up any new issues that would warrant a reversal of the earlier verdict.
Sharifa Akeel Mangudadatu filed the case to cancel the COC, alleging that Ali falsely disclosed key information, such as not declaring that he is the incumbent mayor of the Municipality of Datu Abdullah Sangki.
He added that he was a resident of Purok Garden, Tamnag, Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat for a period of one year and eight months when his actual period of residency was shorter.
“Respondent signed his COC and subscribed and swore to the veracity of his declarations therein, indicating that his false representations are deliberate, and will effectively mislead the electorate on his qualifications as Governor of Sultan Kudarat,” the decision read.
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