Members of the Electoral Board affix their thumbprints on copies of election returns for national and local positions after digitally transmitting the results through the vote counting machines on Monday night. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News
(UPDATED) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) data feed on partial, unofficial returns in the 2025 senatorial race has shown an unexplained decline in the votes of candidates, even while the percentage of election returns has risen.
In the 12:32 a.m. Comelec update based on 68.76 percent of election returns, the Comelec data feed showed pacesetter Senator Christopher “Bong” Go having 26,430,315 votes.
However, more than 2 hours later in its 3:50 a.m. update based on 80.16 percent of election returns, the Comelec data feed showed a drop in Go's votes to 21,699,929 votes.
Bam Aquino had 20,464,747 votes that fell to 16,782,544, while Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa initially had 20,257,568 votes that dropped to 16,614,841.
The decline was also reflected in other candidates' votes in the Comelec feed:
4. Erwin Tulfo ( from 16,737,120 to 13,769,562)
5. Kiko Pangilinan (from 14,956,226 to 12,270,104)
6. Rodante Marcoleta (from 14,872,646 to 12,185,662)
7. Ping Lacson (from 14,733,423 to 12,108,354)
8. Tito Sotto (from 14,481,043 to 11,902,429)
9. Pia Cayetano (from 14,227,570 to 11,676,205)
10. Camille Villar (from 13,337,457 to 10,985,089)
11. Lito Lapid (from 13,042,205 to 10,781,531)
12. Imee Marcos (from 12,985,480 to 10,685,493)
13. Ben Bitag Tulfo (from 11,806,382 to 9,714,099)
14. Ramon Revilla (from 11,769,060 to 9,705,546)
15. Abby Binay (from 11,496,760 to 9,466,771)
The PPCRV senatorial race count has not changed since 12:01 a.m. and it has a larger figure than the current Comelec and media count as of 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
ABS-CBN News is asking the Comelec to explain the apparent data discrepancy.
Lito Averia, Namfrel national spokesperson, said they also noticed the apparent data discrepancy. He said their analysts are looking into the issue.
Averia said they will also ask the Comelec for an explanation. - with a report from Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News