I am amazed at the voting in the Philippines

Thanks oldchem..it's nice to know that somebody appreciates the effort of the Filipino people just to have a say as to who will lead our country, our provinces, cities and municipalities for that matter..yeah, we take election matters here very seriously..we queued in very long lines under the beat of the very hot summer sun for as long as 4 hours just to express our choices..there were many complaints, mostly due to the delay and the long lines, but we lined up anyway..for my part, i haven't received any incentives (financial or otherwise) just to cast my vote, but i queued anyway, coz i want to have a say in the first ever automated election here in our country..it was tiring of course, but now that it was finished..all i can say is..till next voting time my fellow countrymen..

I have been thinking pretty much along the same lines, due to discussions posted on here. The old have voted and the young have voted. No one complains they just get up and go. It is inspiring.

People are very eager to vote because we are always hoping for a change. Every time there will be an election same thing happens. But I guess, slowly we are more wiser and trying to use our mind over the money given to us by political aspirants. We are very happy about the outcome of this election because we were able to prove that there is still hope in our city. My best friend ran as a city councilor and he won rank #6 out of 12 without money involve. All the rest had money placed in an envelope and gave it out per person in the household few days before the election and all we did was a caravan. My friend used his intelligence and his sincerity to show to the people that if you want to progress someday do not sell your votes to these kinds of politicians. We are glad because they listened and responded by giving him a chance. We are very hopeful for our friend, how I wish he will not be eaten by the system and continue to inspire and show some changes not to our city but someday to the region and to the country.

I was also shocked at the number of people who voted in the country. It was higher than the previous elections regarding the number of voters. Even with the reports about malfunctioning machines, etc. people still took the time to vote. I even had several friends who queued for around four hours directly under the sun just to be able to vote for her choice. I guess it is because most Filipinos now want to have a better government.

Thanks oldchem1! I think for us Filipinos, this is one of the most important elections in our lifetimes. It's when we get to see a 9-year regime end, and we have a say on whose going to change our country. I'm glad that other people get to see and appreciate the Filipinos love for our country.

This is my very first time to vote outside of my hometown... and my first time to serve the elections as PPCRV volunteer. With the previous elections, I used to be among the BEIs (almost every after election) to replace my school teachers who can;t make it to be a BEI. In my hometown, it is but natural to see almost everybody going to their respective precincts to vote. Here in Manila, I did not expect that eagerness of the people to vote, and mind you, that early. People were already in the school when I arrived at 6am to serve to think that the elections was due to start at 7am. People were probably at the site past 5am. The automated elections obviously amazed the people from feeding the ballots to the machine up to the printing of the results. People were very careful in shading the oblongs before the candidate's name, afraid to make unnecessary marks, otherwise, their votes won't be counted. However, it surprised me that only a few knew what PPCRV is. Unlike in my hometown, people are aware that it is a citizen's arm spearheaded by the church. But when I voted in my own precinct which was dominated by muslims, people were aware what PPCRV is. They gave way and made me vote as I arrived so I could go back to precinct where I was serving which is about 2 kms away.

we are really proud that our government is now done with this new system. but the new administration that will start on June should look for some improvements in the actual voting system. they should be prepared earlier and be more ready for any irregularities like vote buying.

Thanks by the way but our election here was still chaotic as it was. Many Filipinos eager to vote because of the first automated voting system. Honestly it is horrible we need to wait longer and the line was overwhelming. It was annoying and at the same it was very hot that day. We voted early because we expected there are many people going to vote last Monday. The election encountered many problem because of machine malfunctioning and some transferring of the data. I think there some point that it was successful because the result was faster and cheating was avoided.

Hello Oldchem, Of course we do take our voting seriously. Poverty, hunger, crime and CORRUPTION had continuously increase in this country. before the vote we had this series of forums, debates and interviews with different candidates. With regards to the Automated Elections, all suspicions had erased when the results were coming in quickly before 48 hours.gives you a high clue on who won the Presidential Race. But here's what you don't know. MEDIA NETWORK had secretly got involved in this campaign of the winner of this election and we noticed this later in they're commercials and interviews. Why? ( the owner of this media network and our main power distributor are relatives and owes it to a powerful political clan) they keep popping up surveys like it's part of the commercial.. The candidate that i voted, criticizes the media and other candidates, which is normal in politics. but the media went mad some how and gave him one heck of a news black out(not showing him in the news).now, he lost. this person that I voted is the AUTHOR of the Automated Election Act who is also one of the candidates. still despite of the fast results. what still needs to improved is the criticism of my people in terms of getting to know the candidates. well, at least the automated elections work fine, now it's the people's voting maturity that needed to change, since it's still in it's ignorant and infancy stage

For me they think that to have a good president but in the bible no good at all.

Our country is hungry for changed and prosperity. We Filipinos are aware about the present situation our country is facing. Everybody is affected for our struggling economy! Rich or poor, but mostly the poor. We have to move forward no matter what happens. The automated election and its success was also a success for every Filipino people. I just hope that this new leaders won't bury their promises in vain. If so, then its time to migrate!

well,for me..im disspointed..it's still very hard for the part of the voters here. the counting is the only thing improved. it's still the same.

wow, me too i was amazed at the voting here in our country, i also did my part of voting here and its actually harder than i thought but its all worth it since i casted whom i wanted to vote even thought of long lines and being exposed to sun. im proud to be a part of it and voted clean without any intimidation involved

this is the first time that it is automated. most voters doesnt like to vote because of the voting system before, they can just add number to have the candidate win. and also to have a change in the system. we hope this coming pres can do this.

It is not a good idea to always think of letting the other guy do it. The other guy might be you and it might mean that no one would vote. I try always to vote in the elections. Any notions government might go into anarchy if no one voted. Having a government with participation voters is the best system i think, then at least we had our say and politician will stand on their record if they want back in office.

For us Filipinos, Its our responsibility to exercise our rights especially on the election day. We choose our leader who is worth to be seated in the government. Hopeful the leader whom we choose is the right one in solving the crisis which our country is experiencing now. So no matter how hot is the day or cold rain pours. We have to and we got to vote for this is a serious matter. Our fate will be decided in our votes