Philippines Mid-Term Elections: Marcos-Duterte Feud Takes Center Stage
Millions of Filipinos will vote in a significant mid-term election that highlights the fierce rivalry between President Marcos and impeached Vice President Duterte. The Senate race will play a pivotal role in the potential impeachment trial of Duterte and her political future. Security is tight amid rising violence as election day approaches.
Philippines voters are gearing up for a mid-term election on Monday, a critical moment that many perceive as a referendum on the contentious rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. Workers were seen preparing polling stations across the capital, Manila, for a race that will determine over 18,000 positions, stretching from the House of Representatives to various municipal offices. Yet, the spotlight is really on the Senate race, which could have significant ramifications for the presidential election in 2028.
The 12 senators selected from this election will constitute half of the jury for an impending impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, tentatively scheduled for July. If she is found guilty, it could mean a permanent end to her political career. The feud between Duterte and Marcos reached a boiling point in February when she was impeached by the House due to allegations of “high crimes,” which included reported corruption and an assassination plot targeting Marcos. This incident followed closely behind her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, being taken by authorities to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial anti-drug program.
Duterte now requires nine votes from the 24-seat Senate to maintain any credible chance of running for president in the future. Recent polling indicates that seven of the top twelve candidates are endorsed by Marcos, while four are aligned with Duterte. Notably, Imee Marcos, the president’s sister, has been made an honorary member of the Duterte political party, an apparent strategy to bolster support for the vice president amid looming impeachment threats.
In the run-up to the election, Duterte has seized on concerns of “massive” electoral fraud and characterized her father’s incarceration as a “kidnapping”. Despite his current status, the elder Duterte remains on the ballot in his stronghold of Davao city, where he is vying to reclaim the mayoral seat he once held. Poll projections suggest he is likely to succeed in this endeavor.
The country is on heightened alert for election-related violence. National police are actively ensuring security, with around 163,000 officers deployed to protect polling stations, assist election officials, and secure checkpoints. Additional military personnel and firefighters are also on standby, given the historical volatility surrounding contests for local offices—especially in rural regions. Tragically, the violence has already begun; at least 16 individuals have been killed in election-linked attacks leading up to Monday’s vote.
This includes specific cases, such as a candidate for municipal council who was killed in a shootout in Mindanao’s autonomous Muslim region, known for such violent incidents. Authorities also apprehended individuals at Cebu airport with significant cash—a reported amount of 441 million pesos (almost $8 million)—which breaches election regulations aimed at curbing vote bribery. Investigations into these developments are ongoing.
As the Philippines heads into a crucial mid-term election, the tension between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte underscores the stakes involved. The outcome will potentially shape national politics and influence the 2028 presidential race, especially concerning Duterte’s impeachment trial. Amid these political tensions, authorities are working to maintain peace, as instances of election-related violence emerge, putting the integrity of the electoral process at risk.
Original Source: sg.news.yahoo.com
