Revilla enters Magic 12, Villar still leads senatorial canvass

May 16, 2019

As the National Board of Canvassers ( NBOC) resumed their third senatorial canvass session Thursday for the 2019 midterm elections, senatorial aspirant Bong Revilla entered the Magic 12.

As of 5 pm, a total of 114 of certificate of canvass ( COCs) were received by NBOC where 19 came from local automated votes and six from manual overseas voting.

Revilla took the 12th spot with 9,438,574 votes from automated voting while re-electionist Senator Cynthia Villar maintained her place as top senator with 16,654,554 votes in the partial official count.

Revilla, a former senator, dislodged Senator JV Ejercito, who held that position.

Eleven administration candidates and re-electionist Senator Grace Poe, who ran as an independent, are in the Magic 12.

Poe remained second with 14,550,415 votes followed by former special presidential aide Christopher ''Bong'' Go with 13,693,035; Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano with 13,258,700 votes, former Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa with 12,645,177; re-electionist Senator Sonny Angara with 11,804,680; Ilocos Norte Gov Imee Marcos with 11,093,974; former Senator Lito Lapid with 10,820,755;, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino with 10,470,174; re-electionist Senator Koko Pimentel with 9,840,499; and re-electionist Senator Nancy Binay with 9,585,473.

Ejercito had 9,410,382 votes above 13th place and fellow Senator Bam Aquino who had 9,200,480.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they are hoping to finish the canvass this week but clarified that formal proclamation of winning candidate is different from proclaiming them at the canvassing site.

“Proclamation we are hoping next week but formal proclamation… to be announced,” Jimenez told reporters. Ella Dionisio/DMS