MANILA (May 17) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially proclaimed the 12 winning senators on Saturday, just five days after the May 12, 2025 national and local midterm elections—marking the fastest canvassing in the agency’s history.
The proclamation ceremony, led by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, took place at The Manila Hotel Tent City. In Comelec Resolution No. 08-25, Garcia announced:
“By virtue of the powers vested in it under the 1987 Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, the Commission on Elections, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers, hereby declares the 12 candidates as duly elected senators of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections.”
Each senator-elect was called to the stage to receive a Certificate of Proclamation from the Comelec commissioners.
Leading the list was incumbent Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who topped the race with 27,121,073 votes.
Reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos secured the 12th spot with 13,339,227 votes and was the first to be proclaimed. Accompanied by her mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and sons Borgy and Michael Manotoc, Marcos wore a polo shirt belonging to her late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“I wear my father’s shirt because I carry the dreams of every Filipino family—for affordable food and commodities, decent jobs, and hope for the youth,” she said.
Following Marcos, the next senators proclaimed were:
- Senator Lito Lapid (11th place, 13,394,102 votes)
- Rep. Camille Villar (10th, 13,651,274)
- Senator Pia Cayetano (9th, 14,573,430)
- Former Senator Vicente Sotto III (8th, 14,832,996)
- Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (7th, 15,106,111)
- Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (6th, 15,250,723)
- Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (5th, 15,343,229)
- Rep. Erwin Tulfo (4th, 17,118,881)
- Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (3rd, 20,773,946)
- Former Senator Bam Aquino (2nd, 20,971,899)
Many of the senators-elect expressed gratitude to their supporters and vowed to advance their respective advocacies. Cayetano committed to championing legislation on health, education, energy, and women’s rights. Lacson, meanwhile, revealed initial talks to form an “independent, credible, and transparent” Senate.
“Whatever the political alignment, we will insist on independence, transparency, and competence,” Lacson emphasized.
Sotto said he would prioritize measures tackling disinformation and propose a 14th-month pay for workers.
Pangilinan, currently in the United States for his daughter’s graduation, was represented by his siblings. Tulfo called for unity in the Senate and urged fellow lawmakers to put public service above politics. Dela Rosa thanked voters for the opportunity to continue his work in the Senate.
Aquino, who credited the youth for his strong showing, reaffirmed his commitment to free education and improving quality of life for all.
Notably, the 20th Congress will feature four sets of siblings:
- Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito
- Mark and Camille Villar
- Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano
- Raffy and Erwin Tulfo
The newly elected senators will begin their six-year terms on June 30, 2025, and will serve until 2031.
The Comelec completed the canvassing of 175 Certificates of Canvass in just three days—a record-setting pace for the agency.
