Voters flocked polling precincts in Tondo, Manila on Monday, May 12, for the midterm elections.
Polling precincts opened at the Antonio J. Villegas Vocational High School along Roxas Street at 5 a.m. for the elderly, people with disability (PWD), and pregnant voters.
By 7 a.m., the precincts opened for regular voting hours but voters have already lined up and were greeted by long queues.
Outside the school, several individuals handed out fans made of carton with imprinted name of a candidate running for the city council. At the back of the hand out, other candidates for senator, Manila congressional seat, Manila mayor and vice mayor, and members of Sangguniang Panglungsod were written.
"Hindi po bawal 'yan, pamaypay lang kasi mainit (It's not prohibited, it's just a fan because the weather is hot)," a woman distributing the fans to voters said.
On the other hand, several kids were also distributing flyers containing the names of candidates from the opposing party.
All forms of campaigning were already prohibited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on May 11 on Sunday, May 11, as the campaigning ended and the mandatory campaign silence period ahead of election day was enforced.
Inside the school, voters complained of disorderly lines.
Some voters had to be evacuated due to suffocation and extreme heat.
"Halos hindi ako makahinga. Nanginginig na 'yung tuhod ko kaya umalis ako sa pila para makahinga (I couldn't breathe. My knees were shaking so I had to go out so I could breathe)," an elderly woman said.
"Parang gas chamber! (It felt like a gas chamber!)," another young man exclaimed.