MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday officially proclaimed the 12 winning senators of the May 12, 2025 midterm polls, just five days after the national and local elections — the fastest canvassing in the agency’s history.

The proclamation ceremony was held at The Manila Hotel Tent City and led by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, who also read out Comelec Resolution No. 08-25.

“Now, therefore, by virtue of the power 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 the duly elected senators of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections,” the resolution read.

Incumbent Senator Christopher “Bong” Go topped the senatorial race with 27,121,073 votes.

Each commissioner read a Certificate of Proclamation for the senators-elect, who were individually called to the stage to receive their certificates.

Senator Imee Marcos was the first to be proclaimed, clinching the 12th spot with 13,339,227 votes. She was joined at the event by her mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and sons Borgy and Michael Manotoc.

Wearing the polo shirt of her late father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., Marcos said her priority bills would focus on food security, job creation, and social assistance.

“Suot ko ang damit ng tatay ko dahil dala ko ang mga pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa pagkain na abot kaya ng lahat, mga gastusin na hindi labis na mahal at sa trabaho at pag-asa ng ating mga kabataan,” she said.

Also proclaimed were Senator Lito Lapid in 11th place (13,394,102 votes), Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar in 10th (13,651,274), and Senator Pia Cayetano in ninth (14,573,430). All three expressed gratitude to their supporters and the administration coalition, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

Cayetano vowed to advance legislation focused on health, education, energy, and women and family welfare.

Former senators Vicente Sotto III and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson were proclaimed in eighth and seventh place, with 14,832,996 and 15,106,111 votes, respectively.

Lacson said discussions are ongoing with both incoming and incumbent senators to form an “independent, credible and transparent” Senate in the 20th Congress.

“Kung sino man ang masuportahan, ito lang ang lagi naming ipagdidiinan, kailangan independent tayo, kailangan transparent at kailangan competent tayo,” he said on the sidelines of the event.

Sotto, meanwhile, said he intends to prioritize proposals tackling fake news and the granting of a 14th-month pay for workers.

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta placed sixth with 15,250,723 votes, while former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan landed in fifth with 15,343,229 votes. Pangilinan, who was in the United States for his daughter’s graduation, was represented by his siblings.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo secured fourth place with 17,118,881 votes. During the proclamation, Tulfo called for unity in the Senate and urged lawmakers to “set aside political differences for the greater good.”

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa finished third with 20,773,946 votes and thanked supporters for giving him a fresh six-year mandate.

Former senator Bam Aquino placed second overall with 20,971,899 votes. He thanked the youth for their support and vowed to push for free education and improved quality of life for all Filipinos.

Four sets of siblings will serve in the Senate in the 20th Congress: Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito; Mark and Camille Villar; Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano; and Raffy and Erwin Tulfo.

The senators-elect will assume office on June 30, 2025, and will serve until 2031 — with reports from PNA.