GO bets lead in initial official canvass
Comelec count of overseas votes shows 8-3-1
By E. T. SUAREZ, ELLALYN DE VERA & HANNAH TORREGOZA
Eight Genuine Opposition (GO) bets, three from Team Unity (TU) and one independent candidate occupied the first 12 slots in the senatorial race as the official canvass of votes cast by overseas absentee voters in 15 countries began yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The canvassing is being conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBC).
The votes, as contained in the Certificates of Canvass (CoCs) submitted to the NBC, were from Laos, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, South Korea, Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Palau, Netherlands, Japan, India, Thailand, Bahrain and Austria.
Based on the votes officially counted, the 12 top positions in the Senate race were filled up by eight bets from GO, three from TU, and one independent.
Leading in the Magic 12 was Francis Pangilinan (independent) with 3,637 votes.
He was followed by (2) Loren Legarda (GO) with 3,453 votes; (3) Benigno Aquino III (GO), 3,095; (4) Ralph Recto (TU), 2,937; (5) Manuel Villar Jr. (GO), 2,913; (6) Francis Escudero (GO), 2,825; (7) Joker Arroyo (TU), 2,438; (8) Panfilo Lacson (GO), 2,412; (9) Alan Peter Cayetano (GO), 2,355; (10) Edgardo Angara (TU), 2,309; (11) Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (GO) 2,207; and (12) Sonia Roco (GO), 1,948.
The CoCs from several provinces were expected to arrive last night at the PICC. NBC and Comelec Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos said the canvass will continue until it is completed.
Abalos said the NBC will not adjourn until the canvass is complete but may take a recess from time to time based on the arrival of the CoCs.
As this developed, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos appealed yesterday to supporters of national and local candidates to "keep their cool" amid reports of alleged election fraud.
Abalos made the appeal following the discovery by Comelec officials of a van in Pasig City which contained bundles of allegedly questionable copies of Election Returns (ERs).
The seized ERs were turned over to the Comelec’s main office Tuesday night.
Later, however, Abalos found out that the copies were legitimate ERs intended for the dominant majority party Lakas-CMD in Pasig City.
Abalos said what happened in Pasig City was not a case of an alleged attempt to cheat. "It was an intramural affair among members of the coalition. But it seems both parties did not accept to enter a compromise. But the ERs are for the party-list and never intended for canvassing," Abalos explained.
Abalos assured that the poll body will do its best to beat the 10-day deadline of canvassing. "Hopefully, we can have these terminated in 10 days," he said.
The Comelec chief said election procedures has to be followed, that is why the canvassing of the votes for national level is taking time. Abalos said the canvassing at both provincial and municipal level is still ongoing.
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