Lack of quorum delays canvassing for president, VP

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 2) The lack of quorum on Monday prevented the prompt resumption of the canvassing for president and vice president by the congressional canvassing committee.

The proceeding was scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. but it only started at 2:17 p.m.

Committee chairmen, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile and Speaker Prosepero Nograles, presided over the meeting.

Only four members of the Senate panel were present when the proceeding started and they were Enrile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Rodolfo Biazon.

The congressional canvassing committee resumed its proceedings on Monday with only five certificates of canvass (COCs) left to be canvassed.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the winners may be known by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m..

The five COCs that have yet to be canvassed by the committee are from Davao City (550,236 votes), Bacolod (205,282 votes), Eastern Samar (more than 100,000 votes), Mt. Province (74,791) votes. The COC from Lanao Del Sur (more than 500,000 votes) has not been electronically transmitted.

Totaling to about 1.4 million votes, Congress said these could still materially affect the final tally in the vice presidential race.

“We can make an announcement of the top two winners by 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. and we will ask them to prepare and get ready for their proclamation,” he told reporters before the resumption.

Zubiri said the committee will then instruct the secretariat to prepare a committee report for approval of Congress in a joint session probably on Tuesday.

The senator was also looking at a joint proclamation of the winners despite efforts by the camp of vice presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to delay the canvassing for vice president.

As of Thursday, Senaor Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III led former President Joseph Estrada by more than 5 million votes in the presidential race while Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay led Roxas by more than 600,000 votes.

Source: Inquirer