Noy casts vote in less than 10 minutes

MANILA, Philippines - It took President Aquino less than 10 minutes to complete his ballot in yesterday’s midterm polls, election officials said.

The President cast his vote at the Central Azucarrera de Tarlac Elementary School in Barangay Central, Tarlac City.

In Quezon City, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. – an ally of Aquino in the Liberal Party – cast his vote just as quickly at the Christ the King Seminary on E. Rodriguez Boulevard. He is running for reelection as representative of the fourth district of Quezon City.

Tarlac elections supervisor Elaisa Sabile-David recalled that the President waited for three hours before he could cast his vote during the presidential polls in 2010.

Aquino, in his signature yellow shirt, arrived at the polling precinct at 9:26 a.m. with sisters Ballsy and Pinky. He was 10th in the long queue of voters.

The President and his sisters proceeded to Hacienda Luisita after casting their votes. Election officials in Central Luzon reported heavy turnout, with minor hitches.

Comelec regional director Rafael Olania said in a press conference that two precincts in Botolan and Candelaria in Zambales and another in Malolos City in Bulacan failed to open on time as some precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines were found to be defective and had to be replaced. Polling places were supposed to open at 7 a.m.

“The machines were brought to Manila for replacement but voters were allowed to fill up ballots which would be entered later into new PCOS machines,” he said.

In Bataan, 11 precincts in Mariveles, Balanga City, Dinalupihan, Pilar, and Orion reported defective PCOS machines.  

After casting his vote in barangay Bunlo, Bocaue, Bulacan, Bangon Pilipinas senatorial bet Eddie Villanueva called the conduct of the elections “seamless” and lauded teachers for a job well done.

Belmonte called yesterday’s conduct of elections “very efficient compared to last time (2010).”

He arrived at the polling center a little past 9 a.m. “I don’t have any kodigo,” Belmonte said.

In Makati City, Vice President Jejomar Binay said the Senate would be able to keep its independence by having a sizable number of opposition members in its roster.

“This is to ensure that the Senate maintain its independence. The interest of a few will not prevail,” he told reporters in Filipino at his residence in Barangay San Antonio shortly after casting his vote at the nearby San Antonio National High School.

Binay voted at precinct 169 with his wife former Makati City mayor Elenita, their son incumbent mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., daughter Nancy and her husband Pepito Angeles and another daughter, Angeline.

Before casting his vote at 10:30 a.m., Binay went for a jog around the grounds of the Coconut Palace, his security staff said.

Binay, one of the leaders of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said the results of yesterday’s elections would be a referendum of sorts for his presidential bid in 2016.

“We will know the wish and the will of our countrymen,” he said. “It’s everyone’s speculation. I’m no hypocrite. I will run in 2016, but I will work first until 2016.”

Based on recent surveys, UNA senatorial candidates were trailing behind administration Team PNoy bets.

Binay emphasized that after the elections, UNA would continue to support the Aquino administration but would not hesitate to oppose any abuses or anti-poor programs.

“We will be continuing what we have been doing in the past – support President Aquino for his good programs and help improve them if need be. The wrong ones we will oppose,” he said.

Binay again defended his daughter Nancy from critics but said he is not worried anymore about her chances in the Senate race. “I know she’s going to win,” he said.

“Bashers and envious people are everywhere,” he said. 

He said his daughter’s more than 20 years of experience as member of his and his wife’s staff had equipped her with skills and knowledge to be a good senator. – With Mike Frialde, Ric Sapnu, Reinir Padua