PWDs, seniors vote early; Comelec assistance praised

Elderly citizens and persons with disabilities demonstrated their commitment to democracy by being among the first to vote in Monday's midterm elections, praising Comelec for setting exclusive voting hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Marife Mateo, a 39-year-old person with disability (PWD) from Antique, said she did not wait long at her polling precinct due to Comelec assistance and priority given to vulnerable sectors.

Senior citizens Alpha Fernando, 78, and Violeta Guerra, 69, also voted early in the municipality of Pandan to participate in the election process.

Senator Loren Legarda arrived early at a polling station in Antique to cast her vote and expressed support for reelectionist Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda’s initiatives to bring development to the province, including dividing it into two districts and establishing an economic zone.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that 159 persons were arrested for violating the two-day liquor ban in effect from May 11 to 12, with arrests distributed across various regions.