Philippines Mid-Term Elections: Marcos-Duterte Conflict at Forefront
Millions in the Philippines will vote on Monday amid a significant feud between President Marcos and impeached Vice President Duterte. The elections could impact future presidential outcomes and entail crucial Senate races. Security concerns are heightened due to recent election-related violence with numerous deaths reported, illustrating the contentious political landscape.
As millions of Filipinos prepare to cast their votes on Monday, the nation’s mid-term election is shaping up to be a crucial assessment of the ongoing feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and the impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. The elections will determine more than 18,000 positions, spanning from House of Representatives seats to various municipal offices—the stakes are particularly high in the Senate race, which could influence the 2028 presidential elections significantly.
The outcome of this election will also partake in a consequential matter: the senators elected will form half of the jury in a pending impeachment trial of Sara Duterte. This trial, projected for July, could bar her from holding public office permanently. The root of this conflict erupted in February, when Duterte faced impeachment by the House due to accusations of alleged high crimes that included corruption and even an assassination plot against President Marcos.
Adding another layer of complexity to this situation, Sara Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has also been arrested and is set to face charges in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity linked to his controversial anti-drug operations. For any aspirations of a future presidential candidacy, Sara needs nine votes from the 24-seat Senate.
As of the latest polls leading up to the election, seven candidates forecasted to win senator positions have received Marcos’ endorsement, while four others have the support of the vice president. Additionally, two candidates, including Imee Marcos—President Marcos’ sister—were added to the Duterte family’s PDP-Laban party slate in a strategic move to enhance the vice president’s support against impeachment. This adjustment aims to bolster alliances going into such a precarious political landscape.
In her concluding rally held in Manila, Sara Duterte raised alarms regarding what she termed “massive” electoral fraud, describing her father’s legal troubles as nothing short of kidnapping. Despite facing charges at The Hague, Rodrigo Duterte has not receded from the electoral race; he is running for the mayor’s position in Davao City, a stronghold for his family. Local polls indicate a strong possibility of his victory there.
With election violence a grim reality in the Philippines, national police have ramped up security measures, deploying around 163,000 officers across polling stations, with military and fire department personnel also mobilized. Recent reports indicate at least 16 fatalities amid election-related violence, underlining the serious risks during this election season. Notably, a hopeful city council candidate, among others, faced deadly attacks in the lead-up to the polls.
In a separate incident, authorities apprehended several individuals at Cebu Airport, allegedly caught transporting cash amounting to 441 million pesos (nearly $8 million), signaling possible violations of election laws designed to thwart vote-buying. These cases remain under investigation as the nation gears up for a contentious voting day.
The mid-term elections in the Philippines on Monday are set against the backdrop of the high-stakes clash between President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. With the potential for significant ramifications for future presidential elections and the looming impeachment trial against Duterte, the outcomes are anticipated with keen interest. Furthermore, heightened security measures underscore the ongoing threats of violence unique to this electoral context, raising concerns over safety and integrity as Filipinos head to the polls.
Original Source: sg.news.yahoo.com
