Filipinos voted in significant mid-term elections marked by the feud between President Marcos and impeached Vice President Duterte. Major implications surround the Senate race that could impact future elections. Violence marred the elections, highlighting the region’s troubled history with electoral conflicts, while security measures were heightened to ensure a safe voting process.
Manila (AFP) – On Monday, millions of Filipinos flocked to the polls for a mid-term election that many analysts are considering a referendum on the intense conflict between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. The polling stations across the Philippines began operations at 7 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Sunday), marking the commencement of a critical electoral race determining more than 18,000 positions, from members in the House of Representatives to various municipal roles.
The Senate elections, however, command significant attention due to their implications for the presidential election set for 2028. The 12 senators elected will serve as half the jury for an impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte which is slated for July. This trial could lead to her being barred from holding public office permanently.
The feud between Marcos and Duterte escalated dramatically this past February when the House of Representatives impeached Duterte on serious allegations. These include charges of corruption and an assassination plot directed at President Marcos. As if this situation were not complicated enough, just a month later, Duterte’s father, Rodrigo Duterte—who was formerly the president—was arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to answer for accusations of crimes against humanity relating to his controversial anti-drugs campaign.
To have a chance at a future presidential bid, Vice President Sara Duterte must secure at least nine votes in the 24-seat Senate. Leading up to the elections, seven candidates who ranked in the top 12 polls were supported by President Marcos, while four were associated with Duterte. Interestingly, President Marcos’ sister, Imee, and television personality Camille Villar were declared “adopted” honorary members of Duterte’s PDP-Laban party in a recent effort that was intended to bolster the Vice President’s defense against impeachment threats.
During her final rally in Manila, Duterte raised alarms over what she described as “massive” electoral fraud. She also reiterated her stance regarding her father’s ICC transfer, calling it a form of “kidnapping.” Remarkably, despite facing these serious legal hurdles, the elder Duterte remains a candidate for mayor in Davao City, his political bastion, with at least one local survey suggesting he is likely to win.
As the elections drew near, violence erupted in certain areas. The day before voting began, two individuals reportedly lost their lives in a confrontation between different political factions within the autonomous Muslim region of Mindanao. A local official in Basilan province claimed the death toll may even be as high as four.
The Philippines has been notorious for election-related violence, particularly in the troubled southern regions, where rival political groups often engage in armed clashes. In preparation, the national police raised security concerns over a week prior to the elections, mobilizing around 163,000 officers to safeguard polling stations, escort election officials, and monitor checkpoints. Additionally, military personnel and other local agencies have been activated to maintain peace amid fears of electoral confrontations.
Sadly, reports indicate at least 16 individuals, including a city council candidate, a polling officer, and a village chief, have died from violence in the lead-up to this election. In another disturbing incident, on Saturday, police killed a candidate for municipal council in a shootout involving an armed group. Security forces also arrested a group at Cebu airport carrying a suspicious sum of 441 million pesos (approximately $8 million) in cash, breaching election regulations that seek to curb vote-buying activities. Notably, this year’s elections featured a special early voting period allowing the elderly and those with disabilities to cast their ballots beginning at 5 a.m.
The Philippines’ mid-term elections have unfolded amid intense political tensions and violence. With the Marcos-Duterte feud central to the electoral narrative, the stakes are exceedingly high, particularly for Vice President Duterte as she hopes to ensure her political future in the Senate. The atmosphere remains charged, and the implications of this election could have long-lasting effects on the country’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
