Filipinos head to polls to elect new president

A Filipino woman shows her finger with an indelible ink mark as she poses after casting her vote in a polling precincts for the national elections in Davao city in southern Philippines, May 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MANILA - More than 54 million Filipinos began casting their votes in polling centers across the country on Monday to pick a new president.

Five candidates are vying for the presidency to succeed Benigno Aquino III, whose six-year term ends on June 30.

Besides electing a new president, voters will also be choosing candidates for vice-president, hundreds of lawmakers and around 18,000 local officials.

Polls opened at 6:00 am local time (2200 GMT Sunday) and will close at 5:00 pm local time. The election commission said unofficial outcome for the presidential and vice presidential polls will be expected within 72 hours.