Congress to canvass votes for President, VP on May 24-27

MANILA – Congress will start the canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential races from May 24 until May 27.

Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said the canvassing will begin on May 24 at 2 p.m., while from May 25 to 27, it will be scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Under the Constitution, the election returns for president and vice president, duly certified by the Board of Canvassers of each province and city, shall be transmitted to Congress.

Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than 30 days after the day of the election, open all certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session, and the Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco rallied his fellow lawmakers to exercise prudence and diligence as Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, gears up for the canvassing of votes and proclamation of the country’s next president and vice president.

“As Members of Congress, it is our constitutional mandate to receive and canvass the votes for the two highest leaders of our country – our next President and Vice President,” Velasco said.

“May we all undertake this task with a profound, and even critical, awareness that we are entrusted by the Filipino people with this duty to ensure that our choice of leaders is the legitimate expression of the will of our people,” he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said Congress will be tasked to proclaim the winners of the presidency and the vice presidency for the May 9, 2022 elections, which is expected to be done by May 27 or 28.