13th winner - Win or Lose?

Since Mayor Lim has been elected as Manila Mayor, he will have to leave the senate on june 30 2007, to serve as Manila Mayor. That means another seat will be blank and that leaves the chamber with only 23 membersone short of the required number. If that happens, Miguel Zubiri or Ralph Recto, who are in 13th and 14th place in the senatorial count, could end up the lucky loser.

But Commission on Elections Executive Director Pio Jose Joson on Thursday ruled out the naming of a 13th winner because technically there was no vacancy in the Senate before May 14.

This time, Joson pointed out, the only way to fill Lims seat is through a special election.

Joson said a special election must be called within 30 to 90 days after June 30 when the new elected officials assume their post.

More on that in this page

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