Asia

Philippine Congress starts counting presidential, VP votes

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Philippine House and Senate election tribunal staff examine the contents of the ballot boxes from Davao Del Sur province in southern Philippines as the official count of votes cast in the May 9 presidential election begins Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in the Lower House in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Congress on Wednesday started the official count, though confirmation of Rodrigo Duterte's apparent victory may be slowed by disputes in the more closely fought vice presidential race. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Philippine House and Senate election tribunal staff prepare the tally board before the official count of votes cast in the May 9 presidential election begins Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in the Lower House in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Congress on Wednesday started the official count, though confirmation of Rodrigo Duterte's apparent victory may be slowed by disputes in the more closely fought vice presidential race. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Philippine House and Senate election tribunal staff prepare the tally board prior to the start of the official count of votes cast in the May 9 presidential election Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in the Lower House in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Congress on Wednesday started the official count, though confirmation of Rodrigo Duterte's apparent victory may be slowed by disputes in the more closely fought vice presidential race. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

The Philippine Congress has reopened to do an official count of the votes cast May 9 for the presidential and vice presidential elections.

The mayor of southern Davao city, Rodrigo Duterte, overwhelmingly won the presidential race based on an unofficial tally.

The counting starting Wednesday in the House of Representatives is likely to be difficult in the closely fought vice presidential contest.

The incomplete and unofficial tally had Rep. Leni Robredo leading by more than 200,000 votes. But rival Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has alleged irregularities and disputes that tally.

Marcos's lawyer, Didagen Dilangalen, asked lawmakers to count the votes cast for president separately from the vice presidential votes so Duterte could immediately be proclaimed the winner. The lawmakers refused and are counting simultaneously.