Election Day in the Philippines: A Crucial Test for the…

In the Philippines, midterm elections are underway with over 18,000 positions contested. Key battles include Senate elections affecting Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. Former President Duterte seeks to reclaim the mayoralty in Davao, while Bongbong Marcos’s coalition of various candidates aims to secure power. Both families face significant political implications ahead of future elections.

As millions head to the polls in the Philippines for the 2025 midterm elections, over 18,000 positions are up for grabs. Voting commenced at 07:00 local time, running until 19:00. Among the most significant races are the 12 contested Senate seats, crucial in determining the potential outcome of impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte. Among the candidates is former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is vying for the mayoralty of Davao despite ongoing legal issues at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The senatorial slate for former President Duterte features key allies like Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, both infamous for their roles during Duterte’s controversial pursuit against drugs. Their ticket, dubbed DuterTen, consists of loyalists, a film star, and a pop singer. Additionally, this group contains members of the PDP-Laban, a once-respected pro-democracy party from the 1980s that propelled Duterte into the 2016 presidency.

On the other side, Bongbong Marcos has rallied a diverse collection of candidates under the Alliance for the New Philippines, a coalition launched for this election. His slates include renowned personalities such as boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and figures from powerful political families. Notably, Camille Villar, the candidate hoping to succeed her mother Cynthia in the Senate, exemplifies dynastic politics at play, with further representation from the Villar family in the Senate.

The joint candidacy of Marcos and Duterte dominated the political scene in 2022, marking a significant comeback for the Marcos family while ushering Sara Duterte into a vice-presidential role. The alliance, tagged as the “UniTeam,” promised a political landscape steered by strong personalities and imagery. However, post-election dynamics indicated a cooling relationship between the two families, raising questions about their partnership moving forward.

Former President Duterte also remains a potent force in his hometown of Davao City, where he is expected to reclaim his mayoral seat. His youngest son, Sebastian Duterte, is also on the ballot as mayor, maintaining the family’s long-standing grip on local governance. Critics, however, highlight Davao’s dark association with extrajudicial killings dating back to Duterte’s original tenure, which now serve as foundational elements of the ICC’s crimes against humanity charges against him.

The stakes for both political clans are monumental. For Marcos, these elections represent a critical test of his authority, and a chance to gather sufficient support in the Senate that could influence proceedings against Sara Duterte. With her father detained, any failure for her to secure a presidential route could mark a significant decline for her family in national politics.

With approximately 68.4 million voters across 7,600 islands participating, the unprecedented rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte clans will again take center stage. The results will not only influence legislative composition but also the future presidential ambitions of both Sara Duterte and Bongbong Marcos, particularly as Sara eyes a potential run in 2028.

Today’s midterm election in the Philippines represents a significant turning point for the Marcos and Duterte dynasties. Millions of voters are determining not just local leadership but the future political landscape, particularly regarding potential impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte. With their alliance tested and continued rifts surfacing, both families face the challenge of maintaining their political clout amid public scrutiny and competing interests.

Original Source: www.bbc.com