Opposition senatorial bets cast votes

Metro Manila, Philippines - Opposition bets exercised their right to cast their votes on election day on Monday, May 12.

Labor leaders Luke Espiritu and Leody de Guzman, who lodged their candidacy under the Partido Lakas ng Masa, voted around in the morning.

Espiritu’s polling center is at the Pedro Cruz Elementary School in Mandaluyong while De Guzman’s is at the San Andres Elementary School in Rizal.

Former lawmakers Senator Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, or the KiBam slate, have registered their votes in their precincts before noon.

Aquino, running as an independent candidate, submitted his ballot at the Concepcion South Elementary School in Tarlac.

Liberal Party’s Pangilinan, meanwhile, voted at the Inchican Elementary School in Cavite with his wife actress Sharon Cuneta.

Aquino and Pangilinan have been in the bottom half or a few notches below of the Magic 12 list in pre-election surveys.

Former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, who is running as an independent bet, is expected to pick her preferred bets at Kapitan Moy Elementary School and High School in Marikina.

Voting kicked off at 5 a.m. for seniors, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women. It began two hours after for the general public. Polling centers will close at 7 p.m.

Tens of millions are expected to participate in the polls.