MANILA, Philippines – The country’s new president and vice president will most likely be officially known on Monday, May 30, or 3 weeks after the elections.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the head of the Senate contingent of the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), said they were able to finish 45 out of 165 certificates of canvass (COCs) on Wednesday, May 25 – the first day of canvassing.

“At this rate, we have finished 25% number of COCs and in terms of number of votes cast, also around 10 million. Assuming lang ha, at this rate, we’ll be done by Monday. Proclamation [will be] on Monday immediately, because you don’t delay it anymore,” Pimentel told reporters.

“We were able to accomplish a lot but we met some problems with 3 COCs – Davao del Norte, Laguna, Ilocos Sur – which hopefully will be sorted out tomorrow when we meet face to face with the people who prepared the documents with noticeable discrepancies,” he added.

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, who is also Vice President Jejomar Binay’s lawyer, lauded the pace of the canvassing of votes.

“The canvassing proceedings at the NBOC is at a pace faster than the 2010 automated presidential elections. This is good,” Larrazabal said in his Twitter account.

‘No reason’ for separate proclamation

While the victory of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the presidential race has been clear, the vice presidential polls has turned out be more complex.

The camp of vice presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr has repeatedly asked the NBOC to consider separately proclaiming the new president and vice president. (READ: Marcos camp fires opening salvo in canvassing)

Marcos has questioned the credibility of the partial and unofficial results of the tight vice presidential race, which showed his rival, Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Leni Robredo, leading the tally.

But Pimentel remains lukewarm to the idea, saying there is “no reason to entertain separate proclamation” of the two top positions.

Asked for his personal stance on the matter, he said: “No. I have an open mind but I will only be persuaded by grave, important reasons to proclaim someone ahead of the others.”

While Pimentel said a separate proclamation is “theoretically possible,” it should be avoided at all costs unless there is a dire need for it.

“You only separate the proclamation for serious reasons which you cannot cure or because of time, you really have to proceed with partial proclamation. Then you do it. If it can be avoided, normal and natural thing to do, proclaim all of the winners together.” – Rappler.com