(ANSA) - MANILA, 09 MAY - The polls open in the Philippines, where today we vote to elect the next president, a high-risk vote that sees Ferdinand Marcos Junior, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, as the favorite.
About 67 million Filipinos are called to vote between 6:00 and 19:00 local time, including for the vice president, ideputates, half of the senators, the 81 provincial governors and other local officials.
Analysts are expecting a strong turnout.
There are 10 candidates in the running to succeed the president Rodrigo Duterte, in a single round in which the relative majority is sufficient to be elected.
And Ferdinand Marcos Jr, far ahead in the polls, seems on track to complete the return to power of the fallen dynasty nearly 40 years after its exile.
After six years of Duterte's authoritarian rule, human rights activists, leaders of the Catholic Church and political analysts fear that Marcos Jr could achieve a crushing victory and lead the country with an even heavier hand.
Polls predict a victory for 64-year-old Marcos jr, nicknamed "BongBong", with well over half of the votes.
Supporters of his main rival, current Vice President Leni Robredo, are hoping for a surprise from the last minute.
(HANDLE).