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Millions vote for president in Philippine general elections
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The spirit of democracy -- Filipinos start voting at a polling center in suburban San Juan, east of Manila, Philippines on Monday. Millions of Filipinos trooped to elections centers Monday to pick a new president, vice president and thousands of other officials amid tight security across the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (AP/Aaron Favila)
M
illions of Filipinos trooped to elections centers Monday to pick a new president, vice president and thousands of other officials amid tight security across the country.
It's a make-or-break decision with plenty at stake for the Southeast Asian nation, which has turned around under President Benigno Aquino III with one of the highest growth rates in Asia but remains fragile with its massive poverty, inequality and insurgencies.
Five candidates are vying to succeed Aquino in the elections in one of Asia's liveliest democracies. A tough-talking city mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, has led in voter-preference surveys ahead of the polls.
More than 45,000 other candidates are contesting 18,000 national, congressional and local positions in elections that have traditionally been tainted by violence and accusations of cheating, specially in far-flung rural areas.
"Let us show the world that despite our deep passion and support for our candidates, we can hold elections that are peaceful and orderly and reflect the spirit of democracy," said Aquino, whose six-year term ends in June. (**)
