It was the fastest on record according to the commission.
On Saturday, May 17, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) held the proclamation ceremony at the historic Manila Hotel in the City of Manila.
Present during the program are 11 of the Magic 12 senatorial candidates that garnered the highest votes during the 2025 National and Local Elections on Momday, May 12.
They are senators-elect Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Bato dela Rosa, Erwin Tulfo, Rodante Marcoleta, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos.
Meanwhile, Francis ‘Kiko‘ Pangilinan, who ranked fifth in the official tally, was only represented by his sister, Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas.
He flew to the United States to attend the graduation of his daughter Kakie Pangilinan.
Together, the 12 personalities proclaimed will begin their six-year terms at noon on June 30 and will be joining the twelve holdovers to form the Senate of the 20th Congress.
In front of the winners, COMELEC chairman George Garcia listed the proposed reforms to better the election process in the country.
During his keynote speech, Garcia proposed stronger law against vote buying, early voting options for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, better benefits for election workers, and modernization of the electoral process, and one that would ban pre-election campaigning.
“This is not just a violation of law—it is a denial of people’s right to choose their leaders,” with Garcia emphasizing the prevalent vote buying during the campaign season.
As for the proclamation itself, the commission said that it is the fastest on record, having taken place mere five days after the national polls.
Regarding the party lists, chairman Garcia previously stated that the proclamation and the official computation for the allocation of seats will be on Monday, May 19.
“We will come up with [a] resolution regarding allocation of seats for the party-list. That will be read in the proclamation of the party-list this coming Monday,” he said.