The country’s political leadership cast their ballots at polling precincts within their respective home turfs yesterday, as the much-anticipated and hotly-contested 2025 midterm elections came to pass, but not without their share of hiccups.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. cast his vote early morning at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, accompanied by his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and sister, Irene Marcos-Araneta.
The Marcos family’s presence underscored their enduring influence in Ilocos Norte, a province long considered their political bailiwick.
Ilocos Norte First District Representative and reelectionist Sandro Marcos joined the president in the voting precinct.
“Me and my family voted today here in Ilocos. As citizens, it is our duty to participate in the election and make sure it will be peaceful, orderly and fair. Let’s protect democracy together,” the President wrote in a Facebook post.
Mr. Marcos finished shading his ballot in less than five minutes before encountering a minor technical issue that required him to re-feed his ballot into the ACM with assistance from Comelec personnel.
At the opposite end of the archipelago, Vice President Sara Duterte officially cast her ballot in Davao City, expressing confidence that more than two of their endorsed candidates will secure seats in the Senate.
Speaking to the media on Monday after voting at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City, Duterte said she had given her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, a list of potential candidates backed by their camp who she believes have strong chances of winning.
While she did not disclose specific names or the total number of endorsements, the Vice President noted that “more than two” are likely to emerge victorious in the polls.
“I gave him [her father] a number of more than two… based on the surveys that I have seen. Both national and local surveys,” she said in Filipino.
However, the elder Duterte was unable to vote today, as he remains in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges related to alleged crimes against humanity.
Despite this, he was listed as a candidate in the current election.
Senate President Francis Escudero, meanwhile, called on Filipinos to honor the May 12 elections as a solemn expression of democracy, urging all voters to participate peacefully and candidates to respect the people’s will.
“This May 12, let us exercise our right to vote as a testament to our freedom as citizens and as a tribute to the heroes who fought for it,” he said in a statement.
Escudero emphasized that on election day, all citizens — regardless of wealth, power, education, or background — stand as equals, with one vote each to shape the country’s future.
He likewise appealed to candidates to respect the outcome and allow the democratic process to prevail peacefully.
“To our candidates standing before the altar of the ballot, let us peacefully honor the elections and the voice of the people,” he added.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez cast his ballot at his polling precinct in V&G Dela Cruz Memorial Elementary School in Tacloban City.
During the occasion, he reminded Filipinos that election day is a solemn exercise in democracy, where every citizen plays a vital role in shaping the country’s future.
“Today, each Filipino has the power to shape the future of the Republic. When you cast your vote, you are not merely fulfilling a civic duty but taking part in a solemn act of democracy,” said Romualdez.
The Speaker emphasized that the act of voting goes beyond procedure, reflecting the voter’s conscience and commitment to national development.
“Your ballot is a declaration of conscience, a quiet but resolute affirmation of your role in building our nation,” he emphasized.
It can be recalled that political tensions in the Philippines have simmered in recent months following the arrest of the former President and the growing rift between the president and the vice president.
The outcome of the midterm elections is also expected to influence the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President, as a two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for conviction.