Philippine residents headed to cast their ballots on Monday (May 9), after polls opened in the country's most divisive presidential election in decades, with the prospect of a once-unthinkable return to the rule of the Marcos family, 36 years after they were toppled in a "people power" uprising.

THOUGH THE junta-led government’s initiatives and limited reforms over the past five years have been praised in some quarters, citizens have often expressed dismay at restrictions on social and community activism.