Presidential aspirant Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo casted her vote at Carangcang Elementary School, Magarao Camarines Sur after waiting for her turn for almost two hours.
Robredo arrived at the polling place at around 9:47 AM and silently proceeded to the end of the line along with other voters queuing at precinct number 0064B. Before her are 56 other voters waiting for their turns to enter the polling place.
She was able to enter her designated precinct at approximately 11:23 AM and went out at 11:37 AM.
After going out of the precinct, Robredo showed her index finger with indelible ink to the media and expressed that she is happy and relieved that the campaign period is finally over.
“Masaya na finally natapos na yong campaign period, Masaya na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na gawin yong lahat ng dapat gawin na hindi nag resort sa kahit anong hindi maganda. Pumunta ako ngayon dito sa botohan na tahimik, panatag ang aking loob. Yong na achieve natin during the campaign was so much more than we expected,” Robredo said when asked about her experience as a first time voter in Magarao.
With regards to the reported malfunction of numerous Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) and other election-related incidents, Robredo advised the public to remain vigilant, and report and document things or actions which they believe are unusual.
“Meron kaming pinut up na hotline na pwedeng tawagan ng kahit sino na merong mga reklamo. Marami tayong lawyers on standby. Kailangan lang ma advice lahat na lahat ng napapansin nila outside of the normal, kailangan lang i-report at i-document kasi medyo nakakabahala yong mga reports all over the country ngayon,” she added.
Robredo expressed that the integrity of this year’s election should not be compromised.
“Pinaka ayaw nating mangyari ay mayurakan ang integridad at linis ng eleksyon na to, kasi doon nagsisimula yong gulo . Sana kung merong nagpa plano wag na nilang ituloy. Sana ipakita ng mga authorities na on top sila sa lahat ng nangyayari kasi dito naman nagsisimula yong tiwala ng tao sa pamahalaan,” Robredo stated.
Robredo is a first-time voter of the municipality of Magarao. She registered as a resident of the said municipality in October 2021.
Magarao has a more or less 20,800 voting population. Barangay Carangcang, where Robredo’s polling precinct is located, has 2,491 voters. (Ana-Liza S. Macatangay)
(Source: PIA-5 Camarines Sur)