On Monday, millions of Filipinos started casting their votes in a mid-term election seen largely as a proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos and impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. Although normally a low-key event, the midterms are crucial for determining the future of these two leaders. The election will decide over 18,000 jobs, ranging from mayors and governors to seats in the House of Representatives, who will serve the 110 million-strong Philippines. Particularly in focus is the fight for over a dozen senate seats, as they will form half of the jury in Duterte’s impeachment trial later in the year. If she fails to secure at least nine of the 24 votes, she will be legally barred from holding public office. Marcos, on the other hand, is fighting for his political and economic agenda, as well as for influence in the 2028 succession. Voters were seen lining up at polling stations in Manila even before they opened at 7 am local time.
The feud between Marcos and Duterte escalates as they were once allies. Tensions came to a head in February when Sara Duterte was impeached by the senate for alleged “high crimes.” Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was later arrested and flown to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs. Duterte views her father’s arrest as a “kidnapping” and accuses Marcos of damaging the nation’s sovereignty. Despite being detained, Duterte’s name is on the ballot for mayor in his hometown of Davao City.
Due to the history of violence in Philippine elections, security is tight, with over 163,000 national police officers deployed to protect polling stations and escort election officials. On Sunday, at least two people were killed in a clash between supporters of rival political camps.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-votes-for-midterms-amid-marcos-duterte-feud/a-72511613?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
