Comelec proclaims 12 Senate winners

By Ferdinand Patinio and Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

The 12 winning senators are proclaimed at The Manila Hotel Tent City on Saturday afternoon (May 17, 2025): Senator Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, Erwin Tulfo, Francis Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta, Panfilo Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Senator Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Senator Lito Lapid and Senator Imee Marcos. Pangilinan is in the United States for his daughter’s graduation and was represented by his sister. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially proclaimed on Saturday the 12 winning senators just five days after the national and local midterm elections.

The proclamation ceremony, led by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, was held at The Manila Hotel Tent City.

Incumbent Senator Christopher “Bong” Go garnered 27,121,073 votes to lead the winners.

“Now, therefore, by virtue of the power vested in it under the 1987 Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, the Commission on Elections, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers, hereby declares the 12 candidates as the duly elected senators of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections,” stated Comelec Resolution No. 08-25, as read by Garcia.

Each commissioner read a Certificate of Proclamation for the senators-elect, who were called to the stage one by one to receive their certificates.

Reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos was the first to be proclaimed, clinching the 12th spot with 13,339,227 votes.

She was joined by her mother, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and her sons, Borgy and Michael Manotoc.

Marcos, clad in the polo of her father, the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., said her priority bills would focus on food security, job creation and social assistance.

“Suot ko ang damit ng tatay ko dahil dala ko ang mga pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa pagkain na abot kaya ng lahat, mga gastusin na hindi labis na mahal at sa trabaho at pag-asa ng ating mga kabataan (I am wearing my father’s cloth, carrying the dreams of Filipino people for food and commodities that are affordable, as well as more jobs and hope for the youth),” she said.

Proclaimed next were Senator Lito Lapid in 11th place (13,394,102 votes), Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar in 10th (13,651,274) and Senator Pia Cayetano in ninth (14,573,430).

All three expressed their gratitude to their supporters and the administration coalition, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

Cayetano said she would advance her pet bills focused on health, education, energy, and women and family.

Former senators Ping Lacson and Vicente Sotto III placed seventh and eighth with 15,106,111 and 14,832,996 votes, respectively.

Lacson said he had already discussed with some incoming and incumbent senators the formation of an “independent, credible and transparent” Senate in the 20th Congress.

“Kung sino man ang masuportahan, ito lang ang lagi naming ipagdidiinan, kailangan independent tayo, kailangan transparent at kailangan competent tayo (Whoever gets support for Senate presidency, we would emphasize the need to be independent, transparent and competent),” he said on the sidelines of the proclamation ceremony.

Sotto said his priority in the Senate is to “propose right away” bills that would combat fake news and provision of a 14th-month pay.

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta ranked sixth with 15,250,723 votes, while former senator Francis Pangilinan claimed fifth spot with 15,343,229 votes.

Pangilinan is in the United States for his daughter’s graduation. He was represented by his siblings.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, fourth with 17,118,881 votes, called for unity in the Senate and urged fellow lawmakers to set aside political differences for the greater good.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who finished third with 20,773,946 votes, thanked his supporters for granting him another six-year term.

Former senator Bam Aquino, second overall with 20,971,899 votes, expressed appreciation to the youth for their support and vowed to champion free education and improved quality of life for all citizens.

There will be four sibling pairs in the Senate for the 20th Congress — Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito; Senators Mark and Camille Villar; Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano; and Senators Raffy and Erwin Tulfo.

The newly elected senators will assume office on June 30 and will serve until 2031.

The Comelec completed the canvassing of 175 Certificates of Canvass just three days after the elections on May 12, the fastest in the agency’s history.