MANILA – Reelectionist Sen. Cynthia Villar emerged as the top vote-getter in the 2019 midterm elections while Nancy Binay got the 12th and final slot from Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito.
Based on the final and official tally released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, Villar gained the top position in the senatorial race with 25,256,661 votes.
“I’m really convinced you can work hard, makukuha mo sa sipag at tyaga ang pagiging senador,” said Villar. “We will do our best to serve the Filipinos well.”
At second place was reelectionist Sen. Grace Poe with 22,011,745 votes, while former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go is at third with 20,622,995 votes.
Coming in at fourth spot was Pia Cayetano with 19,762,584 votes followed by former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (18,968,664) and reelectionist Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (18,142,536).
Occupying seventh to 11th spots were Manuel “Lito” Lapid (16,954,677), Imee Marcos (15,851,910), Francis Tolentino (15,482,069), reelectionist Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel (14,646,191) and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (14,617,607).
Binay hanged on to the 12th and final spot in the race after capturing a total of 14,496,350 votes, while Ejercito fell short of his reelection bid with 14,300,199 total votes.
Binay admitted that she was finally relieved when the Comelec ended its canvassing on late Tuesday night but it was a bittersweet victory for her as it came at the expense of her friend Ejercito.
“Para akong nanganak ulit kasi sa sobrang haba ng labor,” Binay said. “Sabi ko nga to describe this 2019 elections is more of heartbreaking on my part kasi nakakalungkot dahil ang hindi nakapasok ay kasama ko since 2013.”
The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, was able to finish the canvassing of votes late on Tuesday night following the arrival of election returns from Washington DC.
Following the culmination of the canvassing, the Comelec also proclaimed the 12 winning senators on Wednesday morning at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The winning party-list representatives in the 2019 midterm elections were also proclaimed in a separate ceremony last night./PN
