The mounting number of petitions being filed before the Supreme Court (SC) to halt Congress from carrying out its mandate to canvass the May 9 votes for the top two positions in the land could lead to a constitutional crisis.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III aired this concern even as the two chambers of Congress gesr up for the scheduled official tabulation of votes on May 24.
Sotto said that a hypothetical directive from the High Tribunal for lawmakers to stop the canvass could lead to a constitutional "from the fact that Congress can no longer meet after June 3rd", which is the end of the current 18th Congress.
"Who will then conduct the canvass as mandated by the Constitution?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar prodded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to address allegations regarding the integrity of the May 9 polls.
“To dispel doubts of some quarters… we leave the matter to the Commission on Elections,” said the Palace official, who at the same time urged Filipinos to respect the results of the elections.
These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2022.
1) Living with Covid-19
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/doh-vows-to-speed-up-distribution-of-benefits-for-health-workers-support-staff-hit-by-covid-19/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/concepcion-include-50-year-olds-in-2nd-round-of-booster-shots-to-protect-productivity/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/covid-19-cases-in-ph-may-increase-to-over-500-per-day-amid-new-omicron-subvariant-threat-expert/
2) Election 2022 fallout
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/nanghihinayang-ako-salceda-explains-why-duterte-is-a-better-fit-with-dswd/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/no-date-yet-for-special-polls-in-butig-binadayan-in-lanao-sur/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/comelec-to-submit-comment-on-tro-plea-to-halt-congressional-canvass-of-bbms-votes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/comelec-says-its-bent-on-addressing-vote-buying-asks-for-publics-cooperation/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/comelec-reminds-candidates-political-parties-to-file-soce-on-time/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/comelec-says-nominees-of-pl-not-required-to-attend-proclamation/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/ppcrv-receives-nearly-80-percent-of-poll-returns-ers-from-abroad-expected/
3) From the Palace
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/duterte-to-filipinos-thank-you-for-believing-in-me/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/palace-more-needs-to-be-done-to-lift-filipinos-from-poverty/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/duterte-leaves-a-safe-and-secure-philippines-andanar/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/palace-appeals-to-respect-election-results-urges-comelec-to-dispel-doubts-about-polls-integrity/
4) Judiciary Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/no-tro-from-sc-to-stop-congressional-canvass-of-votes-for-bongbong-marcos/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/sandiganbayan-convicts-ex-cebu-lawmaker-ex-bogo-mayor-6-others-in-p24-4-m-pdaf/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/duterte-appoints-2-ca-justices/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/chr-hopes-incoming-administration-will-also-prioritize-womens-health/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/doj-sets-filing-criminal-charges-in-court-vs-7-law-enforcers-in-2021-qc-misencounter/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/cta-cancels-p4-billion-tax-debts-of-two-big-firms/
5) PNP Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/crime-volume-in-western-visayas-decreases-by-almost-13/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/cops-to-use-body-worn-cameras-in-securing-special-polls-in-12-lanao-del-sur-barangays/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/13-senior-pnp-officers-reshuffled/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/pnp-to-deploy-cops-as-beis-in-lanao-del-sur-special-polls/
6) Congress Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/nanghihinayang-ako-salceda-explains-why-duterte-is-a-better-fit-with-dswd/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/justice-par-excellence-romualdez-pays-tribute-to-late-philconsa-chair-lolong-lazaro/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/bbm-stimulus-bill-to-replace-bayanihan-measures-under-marcos-admin-romualdez/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/nothing-can-stop-congress-from-performing-canvass-mandate-says-zubiri/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/de-lima-thanks-foreign-legislators-for-pressing-calls-for-her-release/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/sotto-warns-of-constitutional-crisis-if-sc-stops-congress-from-canvassing-votes-for-president-vp/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/how-big-is-supermajority-in-house-under-a-romualdez-speakership/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/bong-go-next-senate-president-should-continue-dutertes-agenda/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/tulfo-to-join-supermajority-bloc-vows-to-honor-senates-independence/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/jv-ejercito-optimistic-marcos-admin-will-continue-dutertes-build-build-build-program/
7) Keeping up with the Robredos
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/18/robredos-daughter-jillian-graduates-from-nyu-with-double-major/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/robredo-thanks-cebuano-weavers-of-her-pink-dress-for-daughters-graduation/
8) Weather Update
9) Religious Corner
10) Good news for LRT riders
11.) Education Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/lasallian-brothers-elect-luistro-as-superior-general/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/deped-to-advance-phs-accomplishments-challenges-in-education-world-forum-2022/
12) World Roundup
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/landslides-floods-kill-at-least-10-in-india/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/xi-says-china-will-open-still-wider-despite-tight-border-controls/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/pfizer-covid-pill-preventing-hospitalizations-and-deaths-white-house/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/spain-portugal-detect-over-40-suspected-monkeypox-cases/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/us-says-possibility-of-n-korea-nuclear-test-during-bidens-asia-trip/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/biden-sells-renewed-us-leadership-in-first-asia-trip-but-n-korea-looms/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/18/ana-patricia-non-receives-woman-of-courage-award-for-community-pantry-initiative/
13) Business Corner
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/stocks-pause-after-rising-3-days/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/maxs-group-almost-doubles-q1-profits/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/raslag-sets-p805-m-ipo-at-maximum-price/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/first-gen-seeking-tenders-for-lng-supply/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/bloomberry-buys-p7-55-b-land-for-casino-complex/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/nhmfc-raising-p715-m-from-asset-back-notes-issue/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/erc-seeks-excise-tax-suspension/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/dof-flags-self-serving-foreign-consultants/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/exporters-employers-ready-to-work-with-new-admin/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/gma-expects-2022-to-be-another-banner-year/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/chua-hits-back-at-rice-reform-critics/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/smart-conducting-ph-1st-space-based-cellular-broadband-test/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/grab-announces-2025-2040-esg-targets/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/alsons-power-inks-pact-with-the-subanen-people-in-zamboanga-del-norte/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/san-miguel-corporations-notice-of-annual-stockholders-meeting/
14) Metro Roundup
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/mayor-aguilar-urges-las-pinas-residents-to-be-responsible-pet-owners/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/valenzuela-to-start-administering-2nd-covid-19-booster-to-seniors-health-workers/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/gradual-return-to-f2f-in-pasig-a-sign-of-better-things-to-come-mayor-vico/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/p3-4-m-shabu-seized-in-bulacan/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/ncrpo-says-help-given-to-family-of-muntinlupa-policeman-who-died-after-3-day-election-duty/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/3-drug-suspects-arrested-in-paranaque-buy-bust/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/mayor-belmonte-presses-for-prison-reforms/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/taguig-mayor-elect-lani-cayetano-thanks-voters-for-victory-electing-husband-as-senator/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/18/parts-of-quezon-city-valenzuela-to-experience-power-interruptions/
15) Provincial Roundup
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/nine-delinquent-employers-in-alaminos-city-urged-to-settle-their-legal-obligations/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/dengue-cases-deaths-rise-in-cebu-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/alleged-drug-pusher-yields-p1-3-m-worth-of-illegal-drugs-in-bacolod/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/army-seizes-assorted-rebels-firearms-in-iloilo/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/cdo-mayor-rules-out-border-restriction-as-plan-to-fight-omicron-sub-variant/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/two-notorious-drug-traffickers-dead-two-others-busted-in-cotabato-anti-drug-operation/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/19/dole-extends-assistance-to-42077-caraga-workers-displaced-by-odette-and-pandemic/