Noynoy, Binay leading

MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) vice presidential contender Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay took an early lead in partial unofficial tabulated precinct results last night.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said 75 percent of over 50 million registered voters cast their ballots.

In results announced by Comelec Chairman Jose Melo based on data received from 38.25 percent of the polling precincts, Aquino had garnered a total of 5,853,537 votes while Binay had 5,881,487 votes as of 9:45 p.m.

In second place was PMP standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada (3,728,723 votes), followed by Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar (2,024,190), administration bet Gilberto Teodoro (1,540,199), Bangon Pilipinas’ Eddie Villanueva (453,016), Bagumbayan’s Sen. Richard Gordon (226,552), disqualified bet Vetellano Acosta of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (61,704), independent Nicanor Perlas (19,196), independent Sen. Ana Consuelo Madrigal (17,556) and Ang Kapatiran’s John Carlos de los Reyes (15,842).

In the vice-presidential race, Sen. Mar Roxas ranked second with 5,310,355 votes, followed by Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and NP’s Sen. Loren Legarda (1,542,687), Bagumbayan’s Bayani Fernando (422,607), Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Eduardo Manzano (249,025), Bangon Pilipinas’ Perfecto Yasay Jr. (144,471), KBL’s Jay Sonza (24,616) and Ang Kapatiran’s Dominador Chipeco (17,971).

In the Senate race, Lakas-Kampi Sen. Bong Revilla topped the list with 7,662,751 votes.

He was followed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (PMP, 7,626,925), Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (NP, 7,019,693), former senator Franklin Drilon (LP, 6,410,400), Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP, 6,385,226), Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (NP, 5,582,048), Sen. Pia Cayetano (NP, 5,574,951), former senator Ralph Recto (LP, 4,995,783), former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head Vicente Sotto (NPC, 4,914,286.), former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III (independent LP, 4,569,595), Sen. Lito Lapid (Lakas, 4,345,674), Teofisto Guingona III (LP, 4,143,702), Rep. Risa Hontiveros (LP, 3,755,855), Ruffy Biazon (LP, 3,521,513) and Jose de Venecia III (PMP, 3,402,287).

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) is conducting a parallel unofficial count.

Aquino, the only son of democracy icons Benigno Jr. and Corazon Aquino, was the frontrunner in all presidential surveys since he declared his intention to seek the nation’s highest post following his mother’s death last year.

Binay surged from third place in the surveys in recent weeks, overtaking Legarda and then long-time frontrunner Roxas.

Both Aquino and Binay are staunch critics of President Arroyo and want her tried for corruption and other anomalies once she loses her presidential immunity from prosecution. Aquino campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption.

PPCRV media communications director Ana de Villa-Singson said that just before 8:30 last night, they had already received transmissions from less than two percent of the total number of precincts.

Of the 76,475 precincts nationwide, they received the transmission from 1,467 precincts. –Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star)