MANILA-The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing for the proclamation of winners in the senatorial race in the just-concluded May 9 national and local polls.

Comelec acting spokesman, lawyer John Rex Laudiangco, assured that the activity would be strictly compliant with the health protocols being implemented by the government.

"For the proclamation proceedings, plans are underway and the priority for proclamation is compliance with (the) minimum public health standards," he said in a press briefing Friday.

At the same time, Laudiangco reminded the winning senators that their companions would be limited to only three people.

"Just a bit of a guideline although we still have to wait for the resolution for this. For senators who will be proclaimed, it will be the senator-elect plus three companions," he said.
"For the party-list group, it will be limited to just two companions."

Laudiangco noted that the proclamation of the 12 winning senators would be conducted ahead of the party-list groups' proclamation.

"Definitely, the senators will be proclaimed ahead of the party-list (representatives) since we really have to apply the computation. This is not a hard and fast rule," he said."The Commission en banc will look into it with the guidance of the Oversight Committee and Supervising Committee. We are studying if we can also proclaim the party-list. There's no final word on that yet, we have to wait for the resolution."

Earlier, the poll body said they are looking to proclaim the winners in the senatorial race within the week.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, is counting the votes for senators and party-lists at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Tent in Pasay City.

It will also be the venue for the proclamation of winners in the senatorial and party-list polls. (PNA)