Voting Begins in Philippines Amidst Tension
On Monday, millions of Filipinos cast their votes in a significant medium-term election, which many view as a referendum on the ongoing conflict between President Ferdinand Marcos and President Sarah Duterte from Munitions.
In Manila, workers spent Sunday preparing polling stations for an election that will fill over 18,000 positions—from seats in the House of Representatives to various municipal offices, which are expected to be highly contested.
Meanwhile, the Senate elections have garnered attention due to their potential influence on the upcoming 2028 presidential race.
The 12 senators elected will play a critical role in a trial involving Duterte’s administration, which was postponed until July. At a rally last week, Duterte expressed frustration, stating that her family’s name was being “dragged through the mud.” She posed a rhetorical question about who truly benefits if her family were to disappear, suggesting it would not be the Filipino people suffering from crime or poverty.
The feud between Marcos and Duterte escalated when the latter’s former ally (Marcos) was ousted in February based on allegations of serious misconduct, including corruption and conspiracy to murder. Marcos has refuted these claims, asserting that the supposed assassination plot was merely a hypothetical situation.
Shortly thereafter, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and brought before the International Criminal Court regarding accusations related to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
For Sarah Duterte, securing at least nine votes in the 24-seat Senate is crucial for her aspirations in future presidential elections. Currently, seven of the top twelve candidates have received endorsements from Marcos, while four align more closely with the vice president.
Interestingly, two candidates, including Marcos’ independent sister Imee, were recently “adopted” as honorary members of the Duterte family’s PDP Laban Party. This move seems to fortify support for Sarah Duterte against the political turmoil she faces.
At his last rally, Duterte referenced past claims of significant electoral fraud, framing his father’s ICC situation as a “set-up.” Despite his legal issues, the elder Duterte remains a candidate for the mayoral position in Davao, his political stronghold, where he is reportedly projected to win comfortably.
The national police have been on high alert for over a week, deploying around 163,000 officers to ensure safety at polling stations and secure the integrity of the election. Meanwhile, military personnel, along with fire and other agency staff, have also been mobilized to uphold order in an environment where local electoral contests can quickly become violent.
Tragically, at least 16 police officers have reportedly been killed in violence leading up to the election. This includes the recent shooting death of a city council candidate during a clash in South Mindanao, an area known for election-related disturbances.
Additionally, police apprehended a group at Cebu Airport on the same day, seizing 441 million pesos—almost $8 million—in cash, with investigations ongoing in both incidents.
