The Chinese government congratulated the “leading candidates” in the recently held May 9 polls, extending the greetings to the country for the “smooth” conduct of elections. The partial and unofficial tally in the presidential race consistently points to an overwhelming win for Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with more than 31 million votes, more than double the lead against Vice President Leni Robredo with 14.8 million, based on the 98.26 percent of election returns processed. “China congratulates the Philippines on the smooth presidential election. Our congratulations also go to the leading candidates,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a May

The United States government said it would renew its “special partnership” with the Philippines and work with the next administration on human rights and regional priorities once a new president has been proclaimed. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Wednesday said the US looks forward to working with the new leader to strengthen the alliance between the two nations. “We’re monitoring the election results, and we look forward to renewing our special partnership and to working with the next administration on key human rights and regional priorities,” he said. Price expects that Manila and Washington D.C. would continue to

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte promised an intensified public service from her administration after she was reelected in the May 9 national and local elections. Belmonte garnered 662,661 votes, beating Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor who got 419,064 votes. In a statement after her proclamation on Tuesday night, Belmonte said she will further strengthen all the programs and projects that she has started three years ago. She also expressed gratitude to her constituents for giving her another three years to lead the most populous city in Metro Manila with about 2.9 million residents. “Ngayong pinagkatiwalaan niyo ako na muling pangunahan

Mayor Michael Rama on Wednesday laid down his orders of business in the next few months of his term as elected local chief executive of this capital city, among them is the payment of the full amount of the loan that financed the construction of the South Road Properties (SRP). In a press briefing, Rama said he listed nine priority agendas out of the 21 “grand concerns” that he wanted to be solved once he and other officials formally assumed office following their elections on Monday. “In 50 days, we now set in motion the fulfilments of our commitment in

The results of the overseas absentee voting would be finalized within the week, the Department of Foreign Affairs -Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) said Wednesday. In a Laging Handa briefing, DFA-OVS Director Zoilo Velasco said the special board of canvassers (SBOC) in different Consulates and Embassies are currently consolidating and canvassing the votes. Meanwhile, he described as a “success” the conduct of the 2022 overseas absentee voting, citing a record 32 to 33 percent that already surpassed the 31.45 percent voter turnout in 2016. There are close to 1.7 million overseas Filipino voters for the 2022 national elections, according to government

The Garcia clan maintained its stronghold in this province after four of its members scored overwhelming victories in the May 9 elections. Incumbent Second District Rep. Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia is now the new governor. He switched positions with his brother, Governor Albert “Abet” Garcia. The two are both finishing their current three-year term. Joet ran unopposed while Abet defeated opponent Eliza Ann Roque, wife of a former Limay town mayor, in the congressional post in the second district. Their sister, Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia, ran for the congressional seat in the newly-created third district and won over former