The Senate on Tuesday (May 10) night has started receiving votes cast for president and vice president ahead of Congress’ canvassing.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, himself a vice presidential candidate, received the first ballot box containing the certificates of canvass (COCs) and election returns (Ers) for president and vice president from Malabon City.
Sotto noted that under the 1987 Constitution, “the returns of every election for president and vice president duly certified by the board canvassers of each province or city shall be transmitted to the Congress directed to the President of the Senate.”
Sotto and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Congress will convene as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) to canvass the presidential and vice presidential votes on May 24 after it resumes session on May 23.
Both leaders also confirmed they may be able to formally proclaim the winners before June.
Sotto also named the six senators who would be members of the NBOC. They are Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, Pia Cayetano and Grace Poe.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Sonny Angara and Cynthia Villar may also serve as alternative members to the NBOC.