Philippines Faces Crucial Polls Amidst Marcos-Duterte Power Struggle

Millions of Filipinos are set to vote in a mid-term election on Monday, framed by the intense feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. The Senate elections are particularly vital, as they may influence the outcome of Duterte’s impending impeachment trial, set for July. With security heightened due to recent election-related violence, voters’ safety is a pressing concern this polling season.

As millions of Filipinos prepare to head to the polls Monday, the backdrop is one of political turmoil, particularly a high-profile feud involving President Ferdinand Marcos and the impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. This mid-term election is not merely routine; it is perceived as a referendum on their explosive relationship. Polling stations are being set up across Manila, as citizens brace for a vote that will determine over 18,000 positions ranging from the House of Representatives to municipal roles.

The stakes are especially high in the Senate race, which is likely to have significant consequences for the 2028 presidential contest. A total of 12 senators will be elected on Monday, and they will play a critical role in the potential impeachment trial of Sara Duterte, scheduled for July. Should she lose, the outcome could bar her from holding public office permanently.

The feud between Duterte and Marcos escalated dramatically in February after Duterte was impeached by the House, accused of high crimes that allegedly include corruption and plotting against Marcos. Compounding the political strife, Sara Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces serious charges in the International Criminal Court related to his notorious anti-drug campaign.

Now, in the Senate, Sara Duterte requires nine votes among the 24 members to keep her presidential hopes alive. Early polling indicated that seven candidates among the top twelve were endorsed by Marcos, while four are aligned with Duterte. This situation creates a tense atmosphere as political alliances shift—recently, Marcos’s sister Imee was added as an honorary member of Duterte’s PDP-Laban party, a decision aimed at garnering support ahead of the impeachment trial.

In her final rally in Manila, Vice President Duterte raised alarms regarding potential electoral fraud and referred to her father’s ICC transfer as a “kidnapping”. Despite these challenges, Rodrigo Duterte remains a candidate in his stronghold in Davao City, where he is vying to reclaim his former position as mayor. Local polls suggest he is likely to win that contest comfortably.

As tension runs high, police in the Philippines are on high alert, with 163,000 officers deployed to secure polling stations and maintain order. This comes in response to the country’s history of election-related violence, especially prevalent in fiercely contested areas. Tragically, at least 16 people have already fallen victim to pre-election violence, including a candidate and a village chief.

In an incident illustrating the often dangerous nature of Philippine elections, two individuals were shot and killed during a confrontation with police and military forces in southern Mindanao. In another alarming event, authorities apprehended a group trying to fly out with significant cash—a violation of election rules against vote-buying. Both incidents remain under investigation, highlighting the violence that frequently shadow the electoral process in the nation.

The mid-term elections in the Philippines are shaping up to be a crucial battleground in the Marcos-Duterte conflict. With the looming Senate elections and potential impeachment of Vice President Duterte, this election could have far-reaching consequences for Philippine politics. As violence threatens the electoral process, the ramifications of these elections will manifest in both immediate outcomes and future political alignments, potentially reshaping the landscape leading into 2028.

Original Source: sg.news.yahoo.com