Hanoi, May 12 -- Millions of Filipino voters are heading to the polls for midterm elections, which will elect more than 18,000 leadership positions from the national to local levels.

About 163,000 police officers have been deployed nationwide to ensure security at polling stations, in coordination with the military, fire brigades and other support units. In addition, the government has extended the early voting period for the elderly and people with disabilities, starting at 5 am on May 12.

This year's midterm elections will not only shape the congressional and local government landscape in the Philippines for the next three years, but also create an important premise for the 2028 presidential election. In particular, the results of the...