Jinggoy Estrada tops initial Comelec tally of Senate race

Reelectionist Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) has topped the initial tally of the Commission on Elections' canvassing, a printout of the official report showed. Based on the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC)’s initial tally as of 5 p.m., which included 30 of the 276 certificates of canvass (COCs) coming from the provincial board of canvassers across the country, Estrada was number 1 with 3,715,333 votes. Another reelectionist, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., was a close second with 3,649,709 votes, while Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, yet another reelectionist, was third with 3,427,585 votes. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon came in fourth with 3,087,445 votes, followed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in fifth place with3,076,935 votes, and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in sixth place with 3,047,020 votes. Other senatorial aspirants who made it to the Magic 12, so far were reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano (2,805,462 votes), former senators Vicente Sotto III (2,408,467 votes), Ralph Recto (2,264,930 votes), Sergio Osmena III (2,264,930 votes), Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (2,168,619 votes) and Akbayan Rep. Ana Hontiveros-Baraquel (1,904,276 votes). In 13th place was Sen. Lito Lapid with 1,858,028 votes, while Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla (1,832,388 votes) and Rep. Ruffy Biazon (1,757,645 votes) were in 14th and 15th places, respectively. The Comelec en banc, sitting as the NBOC tasked to canvass votes for the senatorial and party-list races, will give another update on the canvassing at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The NBOC has canvassed votes from the following cities and provinces as of its latest update:

• CAR: Benguet
• CARAGA: Surigao del Sur
• Region I: Ilocos Norte, IIocos Sur and La Union
• Region II: Quirino
• Region III: Bataan
• Region IV-A: Cavite
• Region IV-B: Marinduque
• NCR: Pasig, San Juan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Makati, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas
• Region V: Albay, Sorsogon
• Region VI: Guimaras, Bacolod City
• Region VII: Siquijor
• Region VIII: Biliran
• Region X: Camiguin, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City

Winners for the senatorial and party-list elections are expected to be proclaimed on Friday. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV