The national poll body, Commission on Elections, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), on Thursday, May 19, 2016 officially proclaimed the 12 elected senators of the Republic of the Philippines during the May 9, national and local elections. The members of the so-called Magic 12 came from different parties but mostly dominated by the Liberal Party.
Based upon the COMELEC’s announcement a total of five senators are first-timers, they were former TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva, world-renowned boxing champion Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former PhilHealth Director Risa Hontiveros, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian and former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
A total of three senators retained their post in the Upper House of the Legislative department namely Sen. Franklin Drilon, Sen. Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Ralph Recto while four former senators return to the Senate namely former post-Yolanda rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson, Philippine Red Cross Chair Richard Gordon and former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Ten senators attended the proclamation ceremony of the Magic 12 while the two newly-proclaimed senators namely Sen. Ping Lacson and Sen. Tito Sotto failed to attend one of the most historic event in their political career. The camps of Sen. Lacson and Sen. Sotto did not release any statement yet to the media.
Here’s the Complete List of the Top 12 Senators:
1. Franklin Drilon (Liberal Party)
2. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva (Liberal Party)
3. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
4. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (Independent)
5. Richard “Dick” Gordon (Independent)
6. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (Independent)
7. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (United Nationalist Alliance)
8. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros (Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party)
9. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (Liberal Party)
10. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
11. Ralph Recto (Liberal Party)
12. Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa de Lima (Liberal Party)
Photo Credit: Philippine Star
