In a short speech, Comelec chairman Jose Melo challenged the five senatorial candidates who attended the proclamation. “You are our representatives. Don’t let us down.”
Proclaimed were Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pia Cayetano, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and Ralph Recto. Senator-elect Miriam Defensor, Franklin Drilon, and Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. were absent.
Marcos Jr. is the only senator-elect who is a neophyte among the experienced and returnee legislators.
Enrile and Sotto were among the early birds. They wore a barong, while Pia Cayetano who was accompanied by brother Alan Peter Cayetano came wearing a pencil-cut skirt and a sleeveless blouse with geometric red and white stripes.
Jinggoy Estrada arrived with his family and a big entourage. He was followed by top senatorial candidate and local celebrity Bong Revilla who arrived at around 3 p.m. He was accompanied by wife Lani.
Well-wishers and some “fans” were quick to pose with most of the celebrity senator-elects. They also got the most applause during the ceremonies. Recto was late but he made it to his formal proclamation.
The poll body acting as the National Board of Canvassers decided to proclaim the nine senatorial bets since the top 9 are clear winners despite more certificates of canvass are expected to be processed.
The National Board of Canvassers announced earlier that more certificates of canvassed have been transmitted to the command center at the Philippine International Convention Center from various regions including the National Capital Region.
Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that there were 115 out of 274 certificates of canvass (CoC) that were received and processed.
According to Comelec documents released on May 15, 2010, 11:18 a.m., the total number of registered voters is 51,317,073. Based on the 115 CoC received, the number of voters who actually voted is now at 35,276,524. Also considering the 115 CoCs, the total number of ballots counted is at 35,276,524.
In an interview with members of the technical evaluation committee who worked with the Commission on Elections, the voter turnout is estimated to be about 75 percent.
There was also a big jump in the number of voters this year with about 8 million added to the figures recorded during the last elections in 2007.
Here’s the latest tally from Comelec:
