Election fever further heats up with less than 12 hours to go until polls open

The presidential candidates during one of the three Comelec-sponsored debates.

With less than 12hours to go before voting begins in the Philippine elections, the country's capital was buzzing with anticipation on Sunday about who would become the country's next president.

Streets were lined with colorful campaign posters, and people could be heard discussing who they were going to vote for in Monday's election.

"I am weighing up who is the best candidate that will make the country even better, a place where there is peace and order," said fruit vendor Mary Grace Luz.

As some people used Sunday morning to read the newspapers, the front pages of which were dominated with pictures of the presidential candidates. Others, like Harry Ulitan, made their way to their polling stations to check if their names were on the list.

"We already made a list on who to vote for, so when we get back to the precinct we only need to mark the names of our candidates," said Ulitan, a seaman by trade.

Candidates held their final rallies in the capital on Saturday ahead of Sunday's campaigning ban.

The hard-talking mayor of Davao City, 71-year-old Rodrigo Duterte has emerged as the clear front-runner in opinion polls, making him the man to beat in Monday's vote.

Duterte's promises of aggressive, even deadly, measures to wipe out crime have alarmed rivals, who warned at their final rallies on Saturday of danger should he clinch the presidency.

Duterte, a brash newcomer on the national political stage, is known as "the punisher" for his fight against crime and his abrasive rhetoric has drawn comparisons with Donald Trump.

One political analyst said that a win for Duterte would lead to a "wild ride" for the country in the next six years.

"I hope he changes his behavior but we cannot say for sure. What I know is that he will be an unconventional president to say the least," said Ramon Casiple, the executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER)

Critics say the country's political elite had hoped for a smooth handover to Manuel Roxas to preserve a status quo that has come under heavy criticism for failing to tackle poverty and share the fruits of several years of robust economic growth.

Duterte's closest contender, Grace Poe, is seen as the most likely to challenge him in Monday's ballot.

Poe's pro-poor platform has resonated among Filipinos, as has her life story: abandoned at a church as a baby and adopted by movie stars.

Earlier in the week, voting boxes were prepared and sealed up, ready to be put into action at the polling booths across the country.

Some campaign strategists have expressed concern that, with so much at stake and the possibility of a close race, vote-buying could be a problem in Monday's ballot.

Police officials assured voters on Sunday that there would be ample security, making election day as safe as possible.

"The PNP (Philippine National Police) in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines has deployed sufficient forces to ensure our people that the election day tomorrow will be peaceful safe and secure," Philippine National Police spokesperson Wilben Mayor told a news conference.

Of a population of about 100 million people, there are 54.36 million registered voters in the Philippines, who on Monday, will choose not only a new president, but also a vice president, 300 lawmakers and about 18,000 local government officials.

The chief of the Philippines election body said it was possible results could be known within 24 hours of the close of balloting at 5 p.m. on Monday, although it may take up to three days. — Reuters