Presidential contender Vice President Leni Robredo cast her vote on Monday, May 9, at the Carangcang Elementary School in Magarao town in Camarines Sur, more than two hours after she arrived at her polling precinct.
Her arrival at the Carangcang Elementary School was met with cheers and chants of her name, but these were subdued by election officers. People also took a selfie with her, but the officers stopped this.
Robredo waited in line at cluster precinct 28, and she was seen falling in line with other Bicolano voters.
The aspiring president said she was “happy“ and at “peace” when she voted in Magarao, a nearby town of Naga City.
“Iba ‘yung buhay na sa labas ng lungsod. Mas tahimik, mas nakakapagpahinga (The life outside the city is different. It’s more quiet, you can breathe more),” she said in a media interview after she voted.
“Nakakapanibago siya, pero masayang nakakapanibago (It felt new to me, but I’m happy),” the lone female presidential bet added.
The Vice President shared that her campaign turnout was more than she expected.
Earlier, daughters Aika and Tricia voted at the Tabuco Central School in Naga City, the hometown of the Robredos.
In a tweet, Aika said they needed to wait for one-and-a-half hours to cast their votes.
“Done after lining up for 1 hour 35 mins! Get out and vote, be vigilant, ipaglaban ang Pilipinas (fight for the Philippines),” her post said.
Their youngest sister Jillian already voted via overseas absentee voting in New York, where she was based before coming home to campaign for her mother.
Jillian also posted a photo with her ballot on her Instagram story, saying she teared up a bit when she filled it out. She is a first-time voter.
The Robredos different polling precincts was due to the transfer of Vice President’s voter registration from Naga City, a component city wherein constituents do not vote for the gubernatorial post, to Magarao town, where she had to manage inherited properties from her parents.
Celebrities and netizens praised the lone female presidential candidate on social media, as they reposted her photo.
“Nakakaiyak ang humility nya. Pumila. Naghintay. Walang special treatment (Her humility makes me cry. She lined up. She waited. No special treatment),” actress Jodi Sta. Maria tweeted.
The actress reminded voters to vote despite the hot weather and the long lines.
“Ito ang pinakamahalagang people’s rally natin. Wag uuwi hanggat hindi nakikita ang resibo ng boto nyo. Ikaw mismo ang maglalagay ng ballot sa VCM (This is our most important people’s rally. Don’t go home until you see the receipt of your vote. You should be the one to put the ballot in the VCM ),” Sta. Maria, an ex-daughter-in-law of presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson, wrote.
Her reminder came after reports of several VCMs breaking down in some polling precincts.
“Di ko sya sasayangin (I will not waste her),” singer Jex de Castro added.