The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to proclaim the winning 12 senators in the 2025 midterm polls this weekend as it sets to conclude the canvassing of the certificate of canvass (COC) by Thursday.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia hoped the remaining COCs would be finished by Thursday "so that our intention to proclaim at least by Saturday or Sunday" will be possible.

"I think it's safe to assume that within the week, this Sunday, we will be able to proclaim our winning senator candidates", Garcia added.

As of 6 pm, the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), led by Garcia, was able to canvass 101 out of the 175 COC. The.NBOC initially canvassed 58 COC on its first session on Tuesday.

The 16 remaining COCs are expected to be canvassed on Thursday afternoon.

They include COCs from Tawi-Tawi, Special Geographic Area, Sulu, and Iligan City.

However, the NBOC failed to release to the media the expected first "partial and official" tally for the May 2025 polls.

Re-electionist Senator Bong Go and former Senator Bam Aquino are pacing the partial and unofficial count of senators, which sees five administration bets, five opposition candidates and two independents composing the top 12.

Akbayan, which could get three House of Representatives slots, tows the partylist groups.

Garcia said that if they will be able to proclaim candidates by Sunday "it will be the earliest proclamation in the history of our election".

Meanwhile, despite the expected conclusion of the canvassing by Thursday, the Comelec needs at least a day to prepare for the proclamation ceremony.

Garcia said that the proclamation ceremony of the party list might take place a day after the proclamation of the 12 senators due to the limited space in the venue. Marie Manalili/DMS