Duterte allies leading in Philippine senate elections

The searing summer heat in the Philippine capital did not deter Sally Sibunga, a 45-year old worker at a local eatery, from walking a few blocks to the nearest polling precinct.

She lined up with her neighbors in Tondo district, noting that casting her ballot in the May 13 midterm national elections was only one of the few times that she could have a say in her country's politics and governance.

"Voting is the Filipino people's voice," Sibunga told China Daily. "It's the only time that we can tell the government what we want."