The 12 winning senators were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections sitting as the National Board of Canvassers yesterday, nine days after the May 13 mid-term polls, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Five of them are reelectionists – Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Koko Pimentel, Sen. Sonny Angara, and Sen. Nancy Binay.
Four are neophytes – former presidential aide Bong Go, ex-Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, former political adviser Francis Tolentino, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
Three are former senators – Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Bong Revilla.
They were all able to personally claim their certificates of proclamation from the Comelec. The proclamation was led by Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas.
Villar, who topped the Senate race with 25,283,727 votes, vowed to continue her advocacy for agriculture and livelihood. She said she wants to continue her chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.
Accompanied by her husband, former Sen. Manny Villar and family, the lady senator said: “I am very thankful for this opportunity to continue serving our people as a senator. Makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan na sulit ang tiwala na binigay nila sa akin,” Villar said.
Poe, on the other hand, said she hopes to chair the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. “Mayroong equity of the incumbent rule so ‘yan ay mangyayari lamang kung papayag si Sen. Richard Gordon. Maganda sana – gusto ko rin ‘yon – pero nasa kanya ‘yon,” Poe said.
The Blue Ribbon Committee tackles and investigates matters relating to malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office by public officials and employees and other matters of public interest.
Except for Davao City-based Go and Dela Rosa, all the senators were accompanied by their families.
Dela Rosa called his former colleagues at the PNP and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to join him on the stage.
Unlike his fellow senators, Go came in casual attire and left the proclamation in a motorcycle. He said he would visit fire victims in Caloocan City.
Before the proclamation, Abas praised the candidates for holding a successful campaign. “These 12 were able to endure it and more importantly rose above it. These 12 now stand with us here today to accept responsibility and that duty that we voters have entrusted to them,” he said.
The winning senators will serve for six years from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2025. (Leslie Aquino)
