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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Seniors, PWDs decry long lines at Antipolo special election

Seniors, PWDs decry long lines at Antipolo special election

Published Mar 14, 2026 09:28 am  |  Updated Mar 14, 2026 05:22 pm

One of the two Priority Polling Precincts at the San Jose National High School in Antipolo City (photo by Nel Andrade)
One of the two Priority Polling Precincts at the San Jose National High School in Antipolo City (photo by Nel Andrade)
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) who trooped to a polling precinct at a school in Antipolo as early as 4 a.m. to cast their votes were frustrated by the long waiting time at the designated special lane for vulnerable sector.
At San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Barangay San Jose, several voters who opted to use the Priority Polling Place ( PPP) instead of their regular precincts said the waiting time was unacceptable.
An elderly woman told the Manila Bulletin that she arrived before 5 a.m. so that she could return home early for her morning medication, but the procedure at the PPP took almost an hour before she was able to vote.
Staff of the Voters Assistance Desk assists a man in looking for his precinct (photo by Nel Andrade)
Staff of the Voters Assistance Desk assists a man in looking for his precinct (photo by Nel Andrade)
Several personnel from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office were deployed at SJNHS to assist in the process.
The special election was set in Antipolo’s second legislative district following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025.
Atty. Jennifer Felipe, head of the Comelec’s Election and Barangay Affairs Department Precincts Division, explained to senior voters that the PPP process took longer because election personnel had to retrieve ballots from the regular precincts, where seniors, PWDs, and pregnant voters were listed, then bring them to the PPP.
One male PWD, who arrived early, had to go home to get his voter’s certificate after his name was not found in the precinct finder at the Voters Assistance Desk manned by Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers.
A PWD is assisted by PPCRV volunteers as he tries to look for his name in the voters' list (photo by Nel Andrade)
A PWD is assisted by PPCRV volunteers as he tries to look for his name in the voters' list (photo by Nel Andrade)
Upon returning with his certificate, PPCRV staff located his precinct and he was able to vote.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia arrived at the SJNHS to observe the process, assisted by Comelec Rizal Election Supervisor, Atty. Arnulfo Pioquinto.
Early birds queue at the designated precinct for seniors, persons with disability and pregnant women at San Jose National High School in Antipolo (photo by Nel Andrade)
Early birds queue at the designated precinct for seniors, persons with disability and pregnant women at San Jose National High School in Antipolo (photo by Nel Andrade)
Garcia later proceeded to Antipolo City Jail to check on voting procedures for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
The second district has 252,793 registered voters, including 234 PDLs, across eight barangays.
Six candidates are vying for the lone congressional seat, with 348 clustered precincts distributed among 36 polling centers.
A senior citizen waits for his turn to cast his vote at the Priority Polling Place at San Jose National High School in Antipolo (photo by Nel Andrade)
A senior citizen waits for his turn to cast his vote at the Priority Polling Place at San Jose National High School in Antipolo (photo by Nel Andrade)
Rover Scouts of the SJNHS were among the volunteers assisting voters in locating their polling centers.
Barangay San Jose, where the SJNHS is located, has the largest numbers of voters in the district.
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