(PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said that they have not sent out invitations yet regarding the proclamation of winners in the senatorial and party-list race.
“No formal invitations have been sent out yet,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in a press briefing at the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) headquarters at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
This came after reports claimed that the poll body has already sent invitations to winning senatorial candidates for their proclamation to be held supposedly on Sunday afternoon.
“Sunday is still tentative. But as a heads up, it is a reasonable window but not confirmed yet,” he added.
The poll body official also noted that they are looking at a single proclamation ceremony for the winners of national posts, contrary to an earlier plan to proclaim them in separate occasions.
Asked on their reason for this, he said: “Because it’s more efficient that way…it’s better for everyone na tapos agad (for it to be finished immediately).”
As of Thursday evening, the NBOC has canvassed 107 out a total of 167 Certificates of Canvass (COCs).
No substitution of party-list nominees
Meanwhile, Jimenez said that the period to substitute nominees for party-list groups is already over.
“I think we have published rules for that and that the period for substitution has already lapsed. The period of substitution has already lapsed,” he explained.
The poll body official was reacting on the supposed move of National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Ronald Cardema to become a party-list nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list.
The NYC head’s action was prompted by the withdrawal of his wife and Duterte Youth’s first nominee, Ducielle Marie Suarez, of her acceptance to the nomination of the group.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 3307, a party-list nominee may only be substituted in case of death, or the nomination is withdrawn by the party, or the nominee becomes incapacitated to continue as such, or withdraws his/her acceptance to the nomination.
It added, “No substitution, however, shall be allowed by reason of withdrawal after the close of polls.”
The NBOC latest tally show that Duterte Youth is at 22nd place with 275,979 votes.