Marcos, family cast ballot in pivotal midterm polls

MANILA, Philippines — Flanked by his family, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cast his vote on Monday, May 12, in the midterm elections that are seen as a test of his administration's popularity midway through his term.

Marcos voted at a precinct in Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, at around 7 a.m. His mother, Imelda Marcos, his sister, Irene Marcos, and his son, Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1st District) joined him. 

Both Marcos and his sister showed up to the polls in white, while Imelda and Sandro wore red — the signature color of the Marcos political family. 

At least 68 million registered voters are expected to participate in this year's midterm elections, which have been dubbed a referendum of the Marcos administration as it takes place at his administration's halfway point.

The polls are also taking place amid an acrimonious political climate, with the fragile Marcos-Duterte alliance now splintered into rival camps competing for control of Congress and local governments. 

At stake in today's elections are 12 Senate seats contested by 66 candidates, with earlier pre-election surveys showing a possible tight race between administration-backed candidates and those allied with the Duterte family. At least 63 party-list seats are also being contested by 156 party-lists. 

Special voting hours began at 5 a.m. for persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens. Regular voting hours start at 8 a.m.