Congress convenes as canvassing board

MANILA — The t wo chambers of Congress convened on Tuesday as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) to canvass votes in the presidential and vice presidential elections.

The Senate and House contingents, which make up the NBOC, gathered at the Batasan Pambansa plenary hall for the canvassing of the votes which will make way for the proclamation of the country’s next president and vice president.

The Senate contingent is composed of Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri; Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto; Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon; Senator Nancy Binay; Sen. Imee Marcos; Sen. Grace Poe; and Sen. Pia Cayetano.

Meanwhile, the House contingent i s composed of Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla, Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino; Pampanga Rep. Juan Bondoc; Negros Occ. Rep. Juliet Ferrer; Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine

Singson-Meehan; and AAMBISOWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin.

Zubiri earlier said Congress is eyeing the proclamation of the country’s next leaders by Wednesday, May 25, at the earliest. He, however, assured that they will not “shortcut the process.”

According t o Zubi r i , presumptive pres i den t Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and leading vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio have been advised to make themselves available on the said day.

The partial and unofficial count by the Commission on Elections showed Marcos leading the presidential race with over 31 million votes while his chief rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, garnered 14.81 million votes.

Duterte- Carpio is leading with nearly 32 million votes for the vice-presidential race while Senator Francis Pangilinan, who ranks second, has 9.230 million votes.