The 22-man Joint Committee resumed its task of tabulating Certificates of Canvass (CoC’s) reflecting the result of the presidential and vice presidential elections at around 3 p.m. yesterday, two hours after the House of Representatives adjourned its legislative session. Fifteen were canvassed when the committee adjourned at 8:30 last night, bringing to 80, the total of CoC’s already tabulated since Friday last week.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, standard bearer of the Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K4) retained her lead in the presidential race, as she gained wide margins in Ilocos Sur, Capiz and Southern Leyte. She also won in Ifugao and Compostela Valley, as well as in overseas balloting centers in Vietnam, Argentina and Hong Kong.
Arroyo’s votes totaled 978,913 after the tabulation of 80 CoCs. She is followed by Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino bet Fernando Poe Jr. who received 951,651 votes; Senator Panfilo Lacson with 254,563, evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas, 148,349; and former Sen. Raul Roco of Alyansa ng Pag-asa, 131,880.
