Early voting hours open for Eleksyon 2025

SILANG, Cavite - The early voting hours for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women officially began at 5 a.m. Monday for Eleksyon 2025.

As of 5 a.m., several members of the priority sector started were already at polling precincts nationwide including at Silang Central Elementary School in Silang, Cavite.

Voters' lists with colored photos were posted outside the polling precincts to help voters determine where to cast their ballots.

"Alas-singko ng umaga ito po ay pagpapahayag na sa buong bansa na simula na ang pagboto ng ating mga kababayan lalong-lalo na ang mga nakatatanda at may kapansanan. First time natin itong inilatag sa buong bansa," Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia told reporters.

(At 5 a.m., voting started nationwide especially for the elderly and those with disability. It is the first time we had this early voting in the whole country.)

"Tayo ay natutuwa dahil alam niyo po kaninang alas dos ng madaling araw, nagsimula nang dumagsa ang mga electoral board members at poll watchers para pasimulan ang paghahanda sa mga kagamitan na gagamitin natin. Pagdako ng 5 a.m., may mga nakatatanda na nandito," Garcia said.

(We are happy because you know at 2 a.m. today, electoral board members and poll watchers started arriving to prepare the materials that will be used. At 5 a.m., there were already senior citizens here.)

In Cebu City, senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women started lining up as early as 3:30 a.m. at polling precincts to cast their votes.

Even senior citizens who had difficulty walking did not let their ailment stop them from voting in Mandaue City Central School.

The early voting hours started nationwide at 5 a.m. and will last until 7 a.m. Regular voting hours meanwhile will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At least 12 million senior citizens, and 530,000 PWDs are expected to vote during the early voting hours, Garcia said. 

According to the poll chief, the Comelec is also allowing the companions of the priority sector to cast their votes. 

Should senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women opt to vote during the regular hours, express lanes and priority polling precincts will be allocated for them.

"Pwede pa rin naman silang bumoto. Meron din tayong priority lane para sa kanila. Hindi naman obligado na bumoto ang mga nakatatanda ng 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Nasa sa kanila 'yan pero meron pa rin tayong priority polling precinct," he added.

(They can still vote [during regular voting hours]. We will have priority lane for them. Senior citizens are not obligated to vote only from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. It is up to them, but we will have priority polling precincts.)

Free rides

Meanwhile, the poll chief reiterated that Grab Philippines will be providing free ride services to those who will vote during the early voting hours.

"Lahat ng mag-a-avail ngayon na nakatatanda at may kapansanan ng 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. sa lahat ng Grab, 'yung transport ay libre. 'Yan ay isa sa ating mga nilagdaan para lahat paano mas mabilis ang kanilang pagdating sa mga paaralan," Garcia added.

(All senior citizens and PWDs availing of transport services via Grab from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. will have free rides. That is one of the agreements we signed so that people will be able to reach their assigned school faster.)

Last week, the Comelec and Grab Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to promote voters' education via the service’s mobile application and offer free ride services to the priority sector.

Over 68 million Filipinos based in the country expected to go to their respective voting precincts on Monday for Election 2025 to exercise their right to vote. —KG, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.