Millions of Filipinos cast ballots in critical mid-term elections seen as a referendum on President Marcos and impeached Vice President Duterte’s conflict. The Senate race will have consequences for the impeachment trial of Duterte, while election violence has marred the run-up to the elections.
Millions of voters across the Philippines took to the polls on Monday for crucial mid-term elections. These elections are being viewed as a litmus test for the ongoing feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. With polls opening at 7 a.m. local time, citizens have the chance to fill over 18,000 positions, from the House of Representatives to local municipal offices—all while the Senate race looms large on the political horizon.
The outcome of the Senate election is particularly significant, as the 12 senators elected will comprise half of the jury in a forthcoming impeachment trial for Vice President Duterte, scheduled for July. The stakes could not be higher; should she be convicted, she could face barring from any future public office—a serious setback for her political ambitions.
The underlying tensions between Duterte and Marcos escalated dramatically when Duterte was impeached in February, accused of serious offenses, including corruption and allegedly plotting against Marcos. Just weeks later, tensions deepened further with the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was taken to the International Criminal Court on charges related to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
Duterte, in her quest to secure a future in politics, would need to gather at least nine votes in the 24-seat Senate. Heading into the election, Marcos endorsed seven of the top candidates, while four were aligned with Duterte. The political landscape shifted further when candidates, including the president’s sister Imee Marcos, were adopted by Duterte’s party, PDP-Laban, in a strategic move to bolster support against the impeachment.
At a final rally, Duterte stirred up emotions by alleging possible “massive” electoral fraud and referred to her father’s situation as a “kidnapping” by the international community. Despite his legal troubles, former President Duterte remains a candidate for mayor in Davao City, where he is projected to win the election comfortably according to local polls.
However, the lead-up to the election has not been without violence. Reports surfaced of at least two fatalities from clashes between political factions in southern Mindanao. An official account even reported fatalities reaching four, underlining the dangers that can accompany political rivalry in the region. The Philippines has a notorious history of electoral violence, particularly in the south, where armed confrontations are not uncommon.
In light of these tensions, authorities ramped up security, deploying approximately 163,000 police officers to ensure peaceful elections. In addition, further support from military units and disaster response teams is in place to maintain order amid the unrest surrounding contentious provincial elections. Recent violence claimed at least 16 lives, including hopeful candidates and officials.
As practical voting measures, a special early voting opportunity was provided for the elderly and people with disabilities, allowing them to cast ballots starting at 5 a.m. This initiative indicates a focus on accessibility, even amidst the surrounding turmoil that characterizes Philippine elections.
The mid-term elections in the Philippines on Monday are pivotal, highlighting the ongoing feud between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte. With significant implications for the political landscape, particularly concerning the Senate and upcoming trials, voters are faced with critical decisions in an environment marked by violence and controversy. As the nation anticipates the results, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of Filipino politics.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
