House all geared up to canvass votes for president, VP

The House of Representatives said it's all systems go for the canvassing of votes for president and vice president in the May 9 elections.

Leaders of the chamber met on Wednesday for the briefing of the secretary general on the procedures and scenarios during the canvassing scheduled to begin on May 24, 2022.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said lawmakers, who will sit as canvassers, aim to "ensure that the canvassing of votes cast and proclamation of the country’s next two highest officials will be seamless and the integrity of the electoral process is upheld."

The Constitution mandates the House and the Senate to convene in a joint session to form the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), which will count the votes and proclaim the winners in the 2022 presidential and vice presidential polls.

Velasco and Senate President Vicente Sotto III will preside over the joint session during the canvassing.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections proclaimed the 12 winning senators, including five returning lawmakers, four reelectionists and three newcomers.

Sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) at the Philippine International Convention Center, the Comelec named the senators-elect, who will all assume office at noontime on June 30, 2022.—LDF, GMA News