(PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has invited top government officials including President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to attend the proclamation of the 12 winning senators on Wednesday.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said government officials are welcome to grace the occasion if they have the time.
“Officially, we invited the President, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Tito Sotto, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, in case they are available tomorrow,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Garcia said he pushed for the highest officials in the land to be invited to the event.
“With due respect to the incumbent President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, it is a grand event. We are proclaiming 12 winning senators of the Republic,” he said.
He added that this is the first time to invite the top officials of the country to such an occasion.
“I think it's the first time that the President and other top officials of the country are being invited. That is very welcome for them to see their party mates, friends, and the people they know,” he said.
Garcia said they are ready with the security protocols once these personalities have confirmed their attendance.
“In fact, our arrangement may change in the event that these personalities will be present by tomorrow...you know that we have to observe protocols if these top officials are present,” he said.
Garcia reminded that the guests are not required to present a vaccine test but they have to bring their vaccines card.
“For the invited guests and the winning senatorial candidates and all other guests, (they) are not required to show any tests. What is important is they have with them their vaccine card,” he said.
“As of this time, there is none yet (a confirmation of attendance)... but for the winning senatorial candidates, later we will send them the invitations,” he said.
Comelec Acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said they have started sending notices and invitations to the respective emails of the senators-elect.
He added that they are also coordinating with the offices of the newly elected lawmakers particularly regarding their vaccine cards, so that their entry to the venue on Wednesday will be smooth.
Based on the latest National Tally Sheet released by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) on Tuesday, those who are in the top 12 are actor Robin Padilla with 26,494,737 votes; Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, 24,183,946; broadcaster Raffy Tulfo, 23,345,261; Senator Sherwin Gatchalian with 20,547,045; former Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, 20,240,923; and former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, 19,402,685.
Also included in the top 12 are former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, 19,262,353; Senator Miguel Zubiri, 18,663,253; Senator Joel Villanueva, 18,439,806; former senator JV Ejercito, 15,803,416; Senator Risa Hontiveros, 15,385,566; and former senator Jinggoy Estrada, 15,071,213. (PNA)
