Villar thankful for early lead in mid-term polls

A day after the conduct of the midterm elections, re-electionist Senator Cynthia Villar thanked voters who gave her an early lead in the partial and unofficial tally of votes for the Senate race.

“Hindi pa po tapos ang bilangan pero natutuwa po ako at nagpapasalamat dahil marami sa ating kababayan ang sumusuporta at naniniwala na isa ako sa mga Senador na makakatulong sa kanila,” Villar said.

Based on the partial and unofficial vote tally covering 93 percent of votes cast, Villar is leading the Senate race with more than 24 million votes.

“I also wish to congratulate the voters who really make it a point to fulfill their civic duty na makaboto despite the difficulties and inconveniences of finding their precincts and enduring long lines,” Villar said.

Reports say the voter turnout was at 70 percent or 44.7 million out of the 63.6 million registered voters.

While commending authorities for the generally peaceful conduct of elections, the senator however expressed regret over isolated cases of election-related violence and reports of malfunctioning SD cards and vote counting machines.

“I am sure this election will be the basis of discussion kung paano natin mai-improve ang automated elections,” Villar said.

Villar also said she is happy that two of her partymates in the Nacionalista Party--Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos-- also have strong showing in the polls. Majority of the candidates in the senatorial line-up of Hugpong ng Pagbabago and President Rodrigo Duterte’s slate are also faring well in the initial tally.

Villar also extended her family’s gratitude to residents of her home city of Las Pinas for electing her daughter, Camille, as representative.