Midterm elections in the Philippines amid Marcos-Duterte showdown
發佈日期: 2025-05-12 19:36
TVB News
Voting is underway in the Philippines in what is normally a low-key midterm election, but this time an emotionally charged proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Duterte and Marcos are not on the ballot for the more than 18,000 positions but have been campaigning aggressively for their candidates.
This as former President Rodrigo Duterte is also vying for national and local seats in an election, analysts say, will decide if he and his family continue to hold political power.
Tracey Furniss has more.
Millions of Filipinos turned out at polling stations. More than 68 million have registered to vote for half of the 24-member Senate, all the 317 seats in the House of Representatives and various positions in provinces, cities and municipalities.
This voter said every Filipino has the right to vote. She will vote because she believes in a better Philippines. She believes in the platforms and promises of the senators and other government officials she voted for.
In Batac City, Ilocos Norte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was seen casting his vote, his mother, Imelda, voting at the desk in front of him, wearing red.
The spotlight, however, is on the race for the Senate that could determine the political future of Sara Duterte. She faces an impeachment trial in July, accused of plotting to assassinate Marcos Jr. and corruption involving her office intelligence funds. She has denied the allegations.
And even though ex-President Rodrigo Duterte has been detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague since March, he too is among the candidates vying for national and local seats.
He is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity over a brutal war on illegal drugs that left thousands of suspects dead during his 2016 to 2022 presidency.
Under Philippine law, candidates facing criminal charges, including those in detention, can run for office unless they have been convicted and have exhausted all appeals.
Duterte is expected to win as Davao mayor, a position he had held for more than two decades before he became president.
