Action star Robin Padilla leads senatorial election

ACTION star Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla is on his way to topping this year’s senatorial election, getting about 26.3 million votes as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a partial and unofficial tally from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) server.

About 98% of the votes had been tallied as of 5 p.m.

Close behind was Antique Rep. Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda with 23.9 million votes, followed by TV journalist Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo with 23.09 million votes.

In fourth place was reelection Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian with 20.31 million votes, followed by Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero with 19.98 million.

Former Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar was No. 6 with 19.13 million, followed by TaguigPateros Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano (19.02 million), reelection Senators Juan Miguel F. Zubiri (18.51 million) and Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva (18.25 million), former Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito (15.64 million), Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel (15.23 million) and former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada (14.92 million).

Nine of the top 12 senatorial bets are connected with Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. who is headed for a landslide presidential victory. Mr. Cayetano and Mr. Tulfo are independent candidates, while Ms. Hontiveros is affiliated with the political opposition.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, who ranked third in the unofficial vice-presidential election, led the ceremonial acceptance of the certificates of canvass and election returns that were arriving at the Senate on Tuesday evening.