Philippine Midterm Elections 2025: Marcos-Duterte Rivalry Intensifies As Voting Commences

The Philippines is holding critical midterm elections with over 18,000 positions contested. The races are particularly pivotal for Senate seats that may affect Vice-President Sara Duterte’s impeachment process. Former President Rodrigo Duterte seeks a political comeback in Davao City, while tensions rise between the Marcos and Duterte families over diverging agendas after their joint victory in 2022. Today’s results will influence Sara Duterte’s potential run for the presidency in 2028.

Millions of Filipinos are casting their votes today in a crucial midterm election where over 18,000 positions are on the line. Voting commenced at 07:00 local time and will be open until 19:00 local time. The eye-catching highlights include twelve senatorial seats that could significantly influence the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice-President Sara Duterte, who is at the center of the political storm. Additionally, voters will select mayors, vice-mayors, and counselors across various localities. Former President Rodrigo Duterte is notably on the ballot again as he seeks to reclaim the mayor position in Davao City amid ongoing legal troubles involving the International Criminal Court.

Diving further into the candidates, Duterte’s political senate slate includes his long-time aide Bong Go and former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, both with direct ties to the controversial anti-drug operations during Duterte’s presidency. This group, which is referred to as DuterTen, also features a mix of celebrities and loyalists, raising questions about the longstanding politics in the region. Several candidates hail from the PDP-Laban party, originally a reputable democratic institution in the country.

On the opposing side, Bongbong Marcos, the sitting president, is fielding a diverse group that includes former entertainment icons, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, seasoned senators, and members of established political families. His slate, called the Alliance for the New Philippines, comprises parties helmed by influential figures aligned with business interests, including Camille Villar, the daughter of a sitting senator.

Once viewed as a formidable alliance, the Marcos-Duterte partnership has begun to fray since winning the 2022 elections by a remarkable margin. The pairing of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte seemed like a power couple destined for success but recent conflicts have raised tensions between these two political families, leading to fractures within their political strategy.

Despite being entangled in a legal battle in The Hague, Rodrigo Duterte is positioned to potentially reclaim his mayoral seat in Davao City, which he previously held for decades. Should both he and his son Sebastian win their respective roles, the Duterte legacy will persist in the city hall dominantly. Davao has garnered a reputation as a tough-on-crime city but is also infamous for allegations surrounding extrajudicial killings during Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier term.

The stakes are undeniably high for both the Marcos and Duterte families as they seek to safeguard their power and political legacies. For Bongbong Marcos, today’s election serves as a crucial referendum on his administration and his maneuverability within the Senate could determine Sara Duterte’s future amid her impeachment. If Sara’s chances to run for the presidency in 2028 are thwarted, it could spell a grim scenario for the Duterte name in national politics.

For Sara Duterte, this election is not just a family matter; it’s an indicator of her potential presidential ambitions in 2028 as political tides shift. Uncertainty looms over her next steps and whether she can establish herself as a strong candidate for the nation’s top position against the backdrop of an impeding generational shift in the Philippines’ political landscape. As approximately 68.4 million registered voters make their selections, the tensions between these two prominent political dynasties remain a focal point of national interest, especially as results today will have implications for their political futures.

The midterm elections taking place in the Philippines today represent a significant turning point for both the Marcos and Duterte families. With numerous positions available, especially key Senate seats, the outcome could very well shape the future political landscape of the country, particularly concerning Vice-President Sara Duterte’s ambitions and Bongbong Marcos’ administration. As voter turnout peaks across the archipelago, the results will be critical not just for local governance, but also for individual legacies within this complex and comprehensive political rivalry.

Original Source: www.bbc.com