Political families cast votes early

MANILA, Philippines — Members of known political families were among those who trooped early to polling centers to cast their ballots as soon as voting opened yesterday.

In Batangas, Vilma Santos-Recto, who is seeking a comeback as governor, cast her ballot in Lipa along with her sons Luis and Ryan, daughter-in-law Jessy Mendiola and husband, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

In an interview, Santos-Recto brushed aside criticisms that her family has become a political dynasty as both her sons were seeking elective posts.

Luis is Santos-Recto’s running mate while Ryan is seeking a congressional seat.

Santos-Recto said they are not the only family whose members are seeking elective posts.

“What matters is we are serving and offering our services. It’s up to the people to decide,” she said.

In Cavite, reelectionst Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. led his wife, Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla and their children in casting their ballots in Bacoor.

Another member of the family, Rep. Jolo Revilla, cast his vote in Rosario town.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and his sons –reelectionist Rep. Ping Remulla and gubernatorial aspirant Abeng Remulla – cast their votes at around 9:45 a.m. in Indang.

In Laguna, former third district congresswoman Sol Aragones cast her ballot in San Pablo City. She is running for governor.

Incumbent Gov. Ramil Hernandez, who is running for a congressional seat in the second district, and his wife, Rep. Ruth Hernandez, who is seeking the gubernatorial post, cast their votes in Bay town.

In the Visayas, Speaker Martin Romualdez voted in Tacloban, Leyte.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia voted in Barangay Mayana, Barili town.

In Cebu, 605 inmates cast their votes at the Cebu City Jail male dormitory.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police said there were several reports of vote buying in Eastern Visayas, but no one has stepped forward to file a formal complaint.

No ACM glitch

Meanwhile, among provinces in Central Luzon, only Nueva Ecija reported no incidents of glitches in automatic counting machines (ACM) during the conduct of the elections, according to Elmo Duque, assistant chief and spokesman for the Comelec regional office.

Duque said several ACM glitches were reported in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

He said if the glitches persist and the ACMs could no longer be repaired, the Comelec would replace the machine.

On the eve of the elections, two incidents of harassment were reported in Bataan and Nueva Ecija.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Central Luzon police director, said the incidents included a grenade attack on a barangay hall in Cabanatuan City, which left a motorcycle rider injured, and a shooting incident in Limay town.

Fajardo said the incidents could be poll-related.

As of noon yesterday, Fajardo said the voting in Central Luzon was generally peaceful and orderly.

On the same night, a kagawad was shot dead in Sierra-Bullones town in Bohol.

In Capiz, a village watchman and a security guard were arrested after they were caught taking photos of their ballots in Mambusao town. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Miriam Desacada, Jennifer Rendon