MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, May 16, unanimously denied the opposition’s request to suspend the proclamation of the new senators.

The Comelec will push through with proclaming senators Thursday evening. The Comelec, sitting as the national board of canvassers (NBOC), will do this after having canvassed over 20% of certificates of canvass (COCs).

In an earlier press conference, Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr the NBOC will proclaim up to 6 new senators at 7 pm.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Wednesday filed a motion to suspend the proclamation, citing the slow transmission of election results. 

The NBOC has so far tabulated 66 of 301 COCs. Based on the latest canvass report, the composition of the winning slate is still 9-3 in favor of the administration ticket, Team PNoy: 

• POE, Grace (Team PNoy) – 6,504,294

• LEGARDA, Loren (Team PNoy) – 5,967,495

• CAYETANO, Alan (Team PNoy) – 5,597,679

• ESCUDERO, Chiz (Team PNoy) – 5,581,201

• BINAY, Nancy (UNA) – 5,315,184

• ANGARA, Sonny (Team PNoy) – 5,232,977

• AQUINO, Bam  (Team PNoy)– 4,927,748

• PIMENTEL, Koko (Team PNoy) – 4,828,881

• TRILLANES, Sonny (Team PNoy) – 4,666,117

• EJERCITO, JV (UNA) – 4,602,150

• VILLAR, Cynthia (Team PNoy) – 4,504,611

• HONASAN, Gringo (UNA) – 4,335,339

(Check official results so far through this link.)

‘Transparency’ count stopped

Because of the scheduled proclamation, the Comelec also decided to temporarily stop media groups and watchdogs from directly receiving transmission results.

Brillantes said the Comelec has suspended the use of the Transparency Server, for the meantime, to avoid confusion while the proclamation is going on. He added this is “just showing some respect” for the NBOC.

“Nagta-tabulate pa kayo ng unofficial eh nagpro-proclaim na kami ng official. HIndi naman magandang tingnan,” Brillantes explained. (You’re still tabulating unofficial results while we’re already proclaiming what’s official. It doesn’t appear good.)

The poll chief, however, clarified that groups using the Transparency Server can continue receiving results during the suspension. “Tuloy ang pagtanggap nila; hindi lang sila dapat nag-a-announce,” he said. (They can continue receiving results; they just shouldn’t announce these.)

(Watch more in the video below.)

The Comelec’s Transparency Server is mirrored on the Rappler website. As of Thursday, at least 76% of election returns have been transmitted to the Comelec-Rappler Transparency Server. – Rappler.com