Congress is hoping to proclaim a new president and vice president of the Philippines this afternoon, according to the House secretary-general, in what is dubbed as the "fastest" canvassing in the history of Congress.
House Secretary, Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza told DZRH that Congress is planning to finish the canvassing of votes around 1 or 2 o'clock this afternoon.
"Hopefully, between 4 to 6 po makapag-proclaim na po mamaya," said the lawmaker.
(Hopefully, we can proclaim later between 4 or 6 [in the afternoon].)
Running-mates Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte are leading in the official tally based on the votes counted by the National Board of Canvassers from the Certificates of Canvass.
The camp of Marcos Jr. has said that the presumptive president will be attending his proclamation once his win becomes official.
Duterte, however, remains unsure of her attendance because she has meetings to attend to in Iloilo and Antique, where she is also planning to visit a wake of a supporter.
For the attendance of President Rodrigo Duterte, Mendoza said that they have not received word if the chief executive will be president during the proclamation.
"Wala pa pong advice kung darating si Pangulong Duterte," said the lawmaker.
(I have not received advice if President Duterte is coming.)
According to Mendoza, this has been the fastest canvassing in the history of Congress and is already smooth-sailing given that presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno have not expressed objections to the canvassing of votes.
"Very smooth po 'yung process natin. Ito po 'yung pinakamabilis na canvassing na nangyari sa history po ng Kongreso," said Mendoza.
(The process has been very smooth. This is the fastest canvassing that happened in the history of Congress.)
