THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has formally proclaimed 12 senators elected in the May 13 midterm elections after the canvassing of all 167 Certificates of Canvass (COCs), including that from the United States, have been completed.

Elected senators are Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Grace Poe, former presidential aide Christopher “Bong” Go, returning senator Pia Cayetano, former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, re-electionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, actor and returning senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, re-electionist Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, returning senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and re-electionist Senator Nancy Binay. The new senators-elect will serve for six years beginning noon of June 30.

While some may not be happy with the election results for the senators, this is what the majority voted for. This is what the majority wanted, whether we like it or not.

However, it would have been better if there is an opposition or two among the newly elected senators to serve as check and balance.

With the newly-elected senators, many Filipinos are hoping that there will be better changes for the country. Since most of them have aligned themselves to the administration, we hope that they can help usher better projects and programs for the Filipino people.

As part of the legislative branch of the government, we also hope that they will continue their duty not just as legislators but also serve as a check and balance to the executive and judicial branches of the government.

We also hope that the elected senators will stick to the promises they have made to the people who have elected them. For those elected senators who have wronged the Filipino people, this is your chance to prove yourself to them. You are given another chance to serve the Filipinos, redeem yourself.

Congratulations to our newly elected senators. Remember, you serve the Filipino, not yourself. If you entered the Senate to fuel your own pockets, shame on you! But if you are truly here to serve the Filipino, we wish you all the best!000