<\/p>\n
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to exercise their right to vote responsibly and protect the integrity of the country\u2019s democratic process.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The President made the appeal on the eve of the May 12 national and local elections.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a one-minute video message posted on his official social media account, President Marcos emphasized that elections are both a right and a duty of every Filipino citizen and an opportunity for every voice to be heard and for aspirations for a better nation.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMga kababayan, ngayong halalan, gamitin natin ang ating karapatan at gampanan ang ating pananagutan bilang mamamayang Pilipino,\u201d the President added.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIsang pagkakataon ito para marinig ang boses ng bawat isa at maipahayag ang mga pangarap na mahalaga sa inyo at sa bayan.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Acknowledging the diversity of political beliefs, President Marcos noted that differing opinions are at the heart of democracy, but these must not lead to division, violence, or fear.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIba\u2019t iba man ang ating paniniwala, \u2018yan ang diwa ng demokrasya. Pero ang pagkakaiba ng opinyon ay hindi dapat mauwi sa gulo o pananakot. Ipinaglalaban natin ang kinabukasan sa balota. Hindi sa lansangan. Hindi sa karahasan,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Chief Executive urged voters to choose candidates with integrity, compassion, and genuine capacity to serve, while calling on all candidates to respect the electoral process and uphold dignity throughout the campaign and beyond.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cKaya bumoto po tayo. Piliin ang tapat, may malasakit, at may kakayahang magsilbi. At sa mga kandidato, igalang natin ang proseso. Tapusin natin ang halalan ng may dangal at katahimikan,\u201d the President said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n President Marcos appealed for unity in ensuring an orderly and just election, where close to 70 million registered voters are expected to cast their votes.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that a total of 18,280 seats covering 14 different posts from senators to municipal councilors are up for grabs.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMagtulungan po tayo upang mapanatili ang isang maayos, mapayapa, at makatarungang halalan. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang ating demokrasya,\u201d President Marcos said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The President\u2019s statement comes amid nationwide preparations for the May 12 vote, in which millions of Filipinos are expected to choose their next leaders.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In compliance with President Marcos\u2019 directive, government media will collaborate closely to provide the public with accurate and complete election updates on May 12, 2025, dubbed \u201cHatol ng Bayan 2025.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz said the PCO will lead this effort, ensuring government-run TV, radio, and online platforms report timely and trustworthy news throughout election day.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The \u201cHatol ng Bayan 2025\u201d coverage will begin on Monday, May 12, at 5 a.m. and continue until May 13 at 2 a.m. The coverage will be available on the television, radio, and digital platforms of PTV, IBC, Radyo Pilipinas-Radyo Publiko, PIA, and PNA.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to exercise their right to vote responsibly and protect the integrity of the country’s democratic process. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13728"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13728"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13730,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13728\/revisions\/13730"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journaldailynewsonline.com.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}