Marcos Jr. is next president, Sara Duterte is vice president

By Sean Rafio

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio were officially proclaimed by Congress on Wednesday as winners of the May 9, 2022 elections.

Based on official tally by Congress sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), Marcos will become the country’s next president after winning the presidential race with 31,629,783 votes.

Duterte-Carpio will sit as the second highest official of the land after receiving 32,208,417 votes in the vice-presidential elections.

“I hereby proclaim Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. as the duly elected president of the Republic of the Philippines and Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio as the duly elected vice president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said in a joint session of Congress Wednesday.

Marcos, the son of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., would become the 17th President of the Philippines.

Duterte, the outgoing mayor of Davao City, is the 15th Vice President of the country and the third female to sit in the country’s second-highest post.

The canvassing of the votes took only two days to finish as other candidates in the presidential and vice-presidential races had no objections to the canvassing of votes.

Marcos had more than double the 15,035,773 tally of his closest rival, outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo.

Duterte had 61.53% of the total votes, while second placer Senator Kiko Pangilinan received 9,329,207.

The 2022 proclamation at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City was the fastest presidential proclamation after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

In 1992, the proclamation of former President Fidel V. Ramos took 42 days after the elections; 18 days for the proclamation of former President Joseph Estrada in 1998; 45 days for the proclamation of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; 30 days for the proclamation of late former President Benigno Aquino III; and 21 days for the proclamation of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos and Duterte’s proclamation only took 16 days after the May 9 national and local polls.

“The result of this election is historical in several ways,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said in sponsoring the canvassing report.

He said that aside from the highest turnout and the quickest canvassing, the 2022 elections are also “the first time that the Philippines has elected a majority president and vice president.”

“Indeed, the healing of the country has begun,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin, said in his sponsorship speech.

“The majority has spoken, it is high time that we listen to their voice,” he added.

About 8 in 10 out of some 67 million registered voters cast their ballots in this year’s polls, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Marcos was accompanied by his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, son Simon, and mother former First Lady Imelda Marcos. His sisters, Senator Imee Marcos and Irene, were also in attendance.

“Marcos thanked everyone and urged the entire citizenry to help him in ushering a new era of progress for the country,” his camp said in a release shortly after the proclamation.

Duterte, meanwhile, arrived via helicopter a little before 4 pm, alongside former president and Lakas-CMD president emeritus Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who steps down next month after six years in office, was not in attendance at the proclamation of his daughter as the next vice president.

Marcos’ campaign centered on unifying almost all the political bigwigs in the country that paved the way for his return to Malacañang, which had served as his home during the 20-year regime of his father.

“I am humbled because, for anyone in public service or in public life, the most valuable thing you may receive from fellow citizens is their vote because embedded in that vote are their hopes and aspirations for the future,” Marcos said after the proclamation.

“I promise you: we may not be perfect, but we will strive for perfection. Pray for me. Wish me well. I want to do well,” he added.

Duterte promised to be supportive and loyal to Marcos. She accepted Marcos’ offer to lead the Department of Education (DepEd) and vowed to produce “skilled learners with the mindset to realize their full potential as individuals.”

“My victory is the victory of all who helped, tried and supported me,” Duterte wrote in a letter sent to reporters after her proclamation.

“Let’s help each other for our country to become peaceful and united. We love the Philippines. May God bless the Philippines. Daghang Salamat,” she added.

Marcos and Duterte will assume office on June 30.