Some key facts on Philippines' general elections

The Philippines, the world's second-largest archipelago with 90 million people in Southeast Asia, holds general elections for 17,000 positions from the president to municipal councilors Monday.

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WHAT'S AT STAKE: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, scarred by vote fraud and corruption allegations, is stepping down after nine tumultuous years as one of the most unpopular leaders since democracy was restored in 1986. Voters are looking for an anti-corruption candidate who can clean up government, restore the credibility of Congress and the judiciary, and improve the economy and public services.

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WHO'S RUNNING: Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the only son of late President Corazon Aquino and an assassinated opposition leader, has topped presidential surveys with a comfortable margin. Toppled President Joseph Estrada, former movie star idolized by the poor, is running to clear his name after he was removed and convicted on corruption charges in 2001. Real estate tycoon Sen. Manny Villar is also courting the poor with his rags-to-riches story. Six other presidential candidates are lagging behind.

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THE VOTE: About 50 million people are eligible to cast their vote, which for the first time will be counted and transmitted electronically using optical scanning machines. First results are expected hours after polls close and complete ones within 48 hours.

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POSSIBLE PITFALLS: A software glitch in the vote-counting machines led to the last-minute recall and reconfiguration of all memory cards, feeding suspicion of fraud and chaotic system failure. Political violence in the campaign season has killed more than 30 people in addition to 57 massacred Nov. 23 in the southern Philippines in the country's worst election-related attack.