Philippines Mid-Term Elections Focus on Marcos-Duterte Rivalry

Millions of Filipinos vote in a mid-term election amid a feud between President Marcos and impeached Vice President Duterte. The Senate race is crucial, influencing the impeachment trial of Duterte. Security is tight due to recent electoral violence, with police and military mobilized to prevent unrest as the election unfolds.

As millions of Filipinos prepare for a mid-term election today, attention is heavily focused on the high-profile feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. This election, occurring amid significant political tension, will determine over 18,000 government positions, including crucial places in the House of Representatives and local governments. However, the spotlight is mainly on the Senate race, which carries substantial implications for the presidential election scheduled for 2028.

The 12 senators elected today will play a vital role, as they will form half of the jury for a possible impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, provisionally slated for July. Duterte faces serious accusations related to “high crimes,” including corruption and allegedly plotting an assassination against President Marcos. The bitter rivalry reached a breaking point in February when the House impeached Duterte.

The situation has only intensified with Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, being arrested and charged with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his aggressive anti-drug campaign. To maintain any prospect of a presidential run, Sara Duterte needs a minimum of nine votes in the Senate, which consists of 24 seats.

Heading into the election, trends indicate that seven candidates favored by President Marcos are likely to be among the winning 12, while four are aligned with Vice President Duterte. Interestingly, president’s sister, Imee Marcos, along with television personality Camille Villar, was “adopted” by Duterte’s PDP-Laban party to strengthen ties and support the Vice President amid the looming impeachment threat.

At her last rally in Manila, Duterte spoke about the risks of potential “massive” electoral fraud and reiterated her view that her father’s detainment at the ICC represented a form of “kidnapping.” Additionally, despite the gravity of his situation, the elder Duterte is still on the ballot in Davao City, where he seeks to reclaim his former mayoral position, and local polls suggest he may do so with ease.

On the security front, national police have been on heightened alert for more than a week, deploying approximately 163,000 officers to monitor polling stations, ensure the safety of election officials, and secure checkpoints across the country. The military and other agencies have also sent personnel to maintain order in an area known for electoral violence.

In the lead-up to this critical election, violence has already claimed at least 16 lives, involving council candidates, polling officers, and local leaders. Recently, a municipal councillor candidate was killed in a confrontation with police and military forces in Mindanao, an area notorious for election-related violence. In a related incident, authorities arrested several individuals at Cebu airport who were found transporting an astonishing 441 million pesos (nearly $8 million) in cash, an act that breaches election rules designed to curb vote-buying. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.

Today’s mid-term election in the Philippines stands as a pivotal moment, influenced by the contentious relationship between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte. With significant posts up for grabs, the election not only reflects the state of political rivalry but also holds crucial implications for the upcoming 2028 presidential election. As the nation braces for potential violence during the polls, the need for security remains paramount amidst rising tensions and growing concern for electoral integrity.

Original Source: sg.news.yahoo.com