Manila, May 12 -- Lawmakers across the country cast their votes on Monday with an appeal to Filipinos to participate in shaping the country's future.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is running unopposed as Leyte's 1st district representative, voted at Precinct No. 0480B in V&G Dela Cruz Memorial Elementary School in Tacloban City.

"Every vote is a declaration of hope. It's a stand for good governance, unity, and a better Philippines," Romualdez said after casting his ballot. "I urge every Filipino to vote with conviction and with the future in mind."

He said the 2025 midterm elections is a critical juncture for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) agenda.

"These elections are about continuity and chan...