Mixed reactions as early voting kicks off for vulnerable sectors in Cebu

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This story is republished with permission from SunStar Cebu as part of a content-sharing partnership for the 2025 Philippine elections.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Voters who availed themselves of the early voting hours had mixed experience on the new initiative implemented by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec had implemented early voting hours for the May 2025 elections, with senior citizens, persons with disability, and pregnant women allowed to vote as early as 5 am.

At Basak Elementary School in Lapu-Lapu City, Leonardo Gelicame, a 53-year-old resident of Barangay Basak, found the process convenient.

He voted with his son, Val Leonardo Gelicame, a first-time voter.

Gelicame said numerous assistants helped him and his son, who is a person with disability, navigate the crowd.

In Robinsons Galleria, which was used as a polling center for this election, a couple found their voting experience fast and easy.

The husband, a person with disability, availed himself of the early voting hours. They found voting to be convenient.

They were among the more than 2,000 registered voters in Barangay Parian who voted inside a mall.

In Central Visayas, mall voting occurred only in Cebu at Robinsons Galleria and SM Consolacion.

In Mandaue City, Annesita Seroy, 74, took longer to vote compared to the recent barangay elections.

She arrived at the polling center at 5 am and voted around 6 am.

Seroy said voters presented their cluster number, ID, and were located on a list. This slowed down the process.

Another senior citizen, who refused to be named, echoed Seroy’s sentiment.

For her, the lines were long, and the procedure took more time. (DPC, CDF, CAV) – Rappler.com