With administration allies poised to bag most of the senatorial seats in the midterm elections, Fitch Solutions Macro Research flagged that this could eventually lead to a decline in the Philippines' political risk score. In a commentary sent to reporters by Fitch Solutions on Wednesday, the agency said the latest results of the Senatorial elections could drag the Long-Term Political Risk Index score of the Philippines. "[R]educed opposition within the Senate lowers the potential for 'checks and balances' on Duterte's administration and may over time see a decline in our Long-Term Political Risk Index score of 65.4 out of 100 for the country," the commentary read. As of 2 p.m. on May 15, partial and unofficial results of the 2019 Senatorial elections show that no opposition candidates made it into the Top 12. The closest, outgoing Senator Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, was ranked 14th with almost 14 million votes. "The elections reinforce the significance of family dynasties within Philippine politics as well, highlighting the still large influence they have over the country," said Fitch Solutions. "Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte, will have increased her chances of succeeding her father's presidency after her HNP alliance-backed Senate candidates performed well," it added. Fitch Solutions likewise noted that Maria Imelda "Imee" Marcos, daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and graft convict Imelda Marcos, was among the candidates currently in the top 12, as per partial and unofficial election results. "Similarly, Imee Marcos stands eighth in the Senate vote based on current results, which will mean she will gain a seat, and is the daughter of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos," it said. Fitch Solutions noted, however, that the current lineup could be a positive for the reforms planned by the administration under President Rodrigo Duterte. "The strong show of support for Duterte will both give him the confidence and ability to push ahead with his reform programme," it said. "Duterte will hope that with increased support in the Senate, his reforms and fiscal plans will face less obstacles. Key reforms include shifting towards a federal system of governance, cutting corporate tax rates and the reinstating of the death penalty," elaborated Fitch Solutions. Looking ahead, Fitch Solutions said the final results are likely to drive Duterte to push through with this reforms, specifically his federal governance plans. "Duterte will also face increased domestic pressure over his relations with China, with the majority of Philippine voters distrusting of growing Chinese influence," it explained. "This, along with slowing economic growth, will provide challenges for Duterte over the final half of his term as he looks to secure his legacy via an appointed successor," the agency added. — BM, GMA News<doc-sep>MANILA, Philippines—#HalalanDayaan2019 has been the top trending topic on Twitter in the country following news of unofficial election results. The hashtag, which suggests that the May 13 general elections was rigged, has been in the number 1 spot since 0.4% of results were transmitted at 6:15 p.m. on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT After the first transmission, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) experienced a delay in transmitting results due to issues with its transparency server. Only after 7 hours, at around 1 a.m., that a fresh information was sent again. As of 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, 94.08% of data has been transmitted. Unofficial results reveal that in the senatorial race, no opposition candidate has been able to break into the top 12. Majority of winning candidates are allies of President Rodrigo Duterte. On Twitter, netizens lamented the results using the trending hashtag. Twitter user @dubuddubu said today in a viral tweet: “The fact that the most deserving candidates are at the bottom frustrates me so much.” The tweet shared pictures of senatorial candidates Neri Colmenares, Samira Gutoc, Chel Diokno and Leody De Guzman. The fact that the most deserving candidates are at the bottom frustrates me so much. Thank you for trying to help and fix our country. This generation doesn't deserve you. Please wait for us, educated voters.. let's fix our country together. #HalalanDayaan2019 #Halalan2019 pic.twitter.com/sCYkrFkfWI — hi lay (@dubuddubu) May 13, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT Singer Leah Navarro, who supported opposition candidates, questioned the authenticity of the results via her Twitter messages. “Are those counts genuine? How does anyone know? The reason it’s called a ‘transparency server’ is clear, but it’s going offline for hours is very unclear, and suspicious. @COMELEC needs to explain why this could be #HalalanDayaan2019.” Are those counts genuine? How does anyone know? The reason it’s called a ‘transparency server’ is clear, but it’s going offline for hours is very unclear, and suspicious. @COMELEC needs to explain why this could be #HalalanDayaan2019. — Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) May 13, 2019 Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon countered cheating allegations, explaining today that the glitch was due to the malfunction of data packets coming from the transparency server. Comelec Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Luie Tito Guia will explain details of the glitch at a press briefing around 1 p.m. today at the PICC Forum. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente) READ: Comelec allays fear of ‘cheating’ after transparency server glitch Read Next<doc-sep>Senatorial candidate Romulo Macalintal on Tuesday became the first senatorial candidate from the opposition to accept defeat in the 2019 elections. In a statement, Macalintal, a veteran election lawyer, said he was thankful for the opportunity and experience to offer his services as a senatorial aspirant. "But from the results coming from all the clustered precincts, it is clear that a great majority of our voters have chosen other candidates. And I respect their decision as I concede defeat in this senatorial race," he said. "I sincerely congratulate all the winners who were so fortunate to get the trust and confidence of the people to serve for six years as their Senators." As of 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday with 93.45 percent of the election returns processed, not one of the eight senatorial candidates under the Otso Diretso coalition were poised to win the senatorial race. Macalintal himself ranked 26th, while the closest opposition candidate to the winners' circle was reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino at 14th. Macalintal thanked all the supporters who believed in his capabilities as well as his family who gave him permission to try to offer his services to the people. He also thanked Vice President Leni Robredo, campaign manager Senator Francis Pangilinan, and his fellow Otso Diretso candidates for making their campaign "a very historic and worthy experience." Lastly, Macalintal also gave thanks to the senior citizens and persons with disabilities, whose rights he wanted to work for had he won a Senate seat. "Bagama’t hindi ako nagtagumpay, nariyan pa rin ang aking pangako na tatanda at lilipas din ako, ngunit tuloy pa rin ang paglilingkod sa inyo," he said. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News<doc-sep>
MANILA, Philippines — After seven hours, the Commission on Elections transparency server updated its transparency server to reflect the vote counts for the 2019 national elections. The poll body earlier admitted that a technical issue slowed down the transmission of the partial unofficial count to media partners. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez stressed, though, that the server itself was receiving data. The initial results, which were in the tens of thousands, were released at 6:15 p.m. The Comelec released its second update at 1:19 a.m. showing votes in the millions. The Comelec's transparency server has resumed releasing election results to media, watchdogs. Full story in a bit, but here's a link for live updates on the midterm elections: https://t.co/9IvuGDuaQI pic.twitter.com/ggsO11jESk — Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) May 13, 2019 Sen. Cynthia Villar maintained her lead in the senatorial race followed by Sen. Grace Poe, former presidential aide Bong Go and Rep. Pia Cayetano (Taguig City). Completing the "Magic 12" so far are former Philippine National Police chief Bato dela Rosa, Sen. Sonny Angara, former Sen. Lito Lapid, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos., former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Koko Pimentel and former Sen. Bong Revilla. A majority of in the top 12 in the latest results are allied with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition except for Poe, who ran as an independent, and Binay, who ran under the United Nationalist Alliance. In the latest update, Pimentel rose to the 11th spot from the 13th place. Sen. JV Ejercito, meanwhile, dropped to the 13th place after placing 12th in the 6:15 p.m. partial unofficial results. Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (Maguindanao) of the administration PDP-Laban party and singer Freddie Aguilar, both of whom President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed, did not make it to the top 12. Jimenez earlier explained that there was an issue with sending the data from the transparency server to media computers linked to it, causing the delay in the released of the results. He clarified that there was no problem with the transparency server itself. — Patricia Lourdes Viray