Party-list, senatorial winners could be proclaimed June 30

(Update - 4:54 p.m.) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may proclaim party-list winners and the 12th senatorial winner on June 30, radio dzBB reported on Wednesday, quoting Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. Abalos reportedly said the proclamation of party-list winners was postponed because the poll body still has to canvass 629,000 votes expected to come from Maguindanao and other areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Supreme Court, through its spokesman Jose Midas Marquez, earlier advised Comelec not to make a decision on the 12th senatorial winner until the case filed by senatorial bet Aquilino "Koko" Pimenetal III is heard and decided by the court. "The Court is hoping that the Comelec will defer any action that will make the proceeding moot and academic, until the Court has heard both sides. They (respondents) are so minded to act accordingly," Marquez said. James Jimenez, Comelec spokesperson, confirmed to GMANews.TV on Wednesday, the target date of the proclamation, including that for the 12th senator. He, however, said that while the Supreme Court advised the Comelec to hold the proclamation of the 12th senator, the poll body can still proceed with the announcement of the senatorial winner because the high tribunal only issued a verbal advice and not a temporary restraining order. "We can proceed with the process up to the canvassing of the National Board of Canvassers and the Comelec en banc can decide to proclaim but it can say that it will not, in deference to the Supreme Court's advice," said Jimenez. The high tribunal earlier expressed optimism that the canvassing of the contentious Maguindanao vote would be over within the week. Jimenez said that based on his estimate, the certificates of canvass (COCs) of all 22 municipalities in Maguindanao would be processed before the final weekend of June. "Based on what I know, only five COCs have been re-canvassed in Maguindanao. There are still about 17 municipalities left to be canvassed. So if we finish that within the next two days, I think at that point we can say who won," Jimenez said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio. He was quick to stress, however, that he was merely expressing his "personal" view. "I am the only one giving the estimate, I cannot speak for the entire Comelec on this," Jimenez added. Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court deferred action on the petition of opposition senatorial candidate Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III seeking to prevent the Comelec from canvassing Maguindanao votes. - GMANews.TV