If there was one thing that stood out for Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri during day one of the marathon canvassing, it's the fact that House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez hardly stood up.
That's why, at the start of day two of the canvassing Wednesday, May 25 at Batasan Complex in Quezon City, Zubiri couldn't help but give props to his National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) co-chairman.
“Thank you very much co-chair, and I’d like to also take note the dedication of our distinguished gentleman from Leyte," Zubiri said, turning to Romualdez.
"Yesterday (Tuesday), he did not leave his post, he did not have his lunch, he did not go to the bathroom or toilet, I had to excuse myself for at least an hour to do my own thing as well," the Mindanao senator said.
"Bilib ako sayo boss (You impressed me boss), you are leading by example and I am honored to be with you today in this very historic canvassing of votes for president and vice president, maraming salamat po (thank you very much) for your service," Zubiri said of Romualdez.
Romualdez responded by smiling and humbly thanking his co-chairman for his kind words.
The NBOC canvassed COCs between 2 p.m .to 11 p.m. Tuesday, accounting for 105 out of the 173 total COCs.
In his speech Wednesday morning before the resumption of canvassing, Romualdez thanked his fellow solons from the House and Senate as well as staff members for their "tireless efforts".
"Before we continue with the canvassing proper, I would like to commend the members of the joint committee, the House secretary-general, the Senate secretary, as well as the hard-working officials and staff of both the House and the Senate for the tireless efforts in canvassing the COC since yesterday afternoon until a little bit before midnight last night.
"We shall continue to conduct the canvassing proceedings with integrity, transparency, accuracy, and expediency. With only 68 COCs left, we are expecting to finish the canvassing of the COCs today," he said.
Romualdez, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, is the top speakership contender in the upcoming 19th Congress.