In the recent midterm elections in the Philippines, tens of millions of Filipinos braved extreme heat to vote, resulting in a resurgence for the Dutertes, according to preliminary results. Despite facing high temperatures, voters participated enthusiastically in the elections, choosing candidates for approximately 18,000 national and local positions throughout the archipelago. Notably, Rodrigo Duterte, the former president, and his youngest son, Sebastian, were elected as the mayor and vice mayor respectively of Davao City. Davao City serves as a historical stronghold for the Duterte family, as Rodrigo previously served as mayor for over two decades before becoming president in 2016.
Several Duterte allies also experienced significant success in the elections. This includes Christopher Go, Rodrigo’s former aide, who became the most-voted-for senator, and Ronald dela Rosa, the former national police chief. Both Go and dela Rosa face potential arrest by the International Criminal Court and have strongly defended the controversial drug war during their tenures. Another Duterte-allied lawmaker, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, secured a seat in the Senate. Marcoleta has previously expressed his commitment to defending Sara Duterte against impeachment.
Rodrigo Duterte has remained in detention in The Hague, which means Sebastian is expected to discharge the duties of the mayor’s office on his behalf. The Duterte family’s influence appears to have reasserted in the political landscape, contrary to hopes of opposition forces. Experts suggest that the family’s popularity is linked to Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war, which garnered both international criticism and significant domestic support.
In contrast, Emily Soriano, whose son was among the victims of the drug war, traces hopes for accountability in the country. Despite Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, the possibility of his return to power casts a shadow over the prospect of ending the drug war killings.
The political rivalry with the powerful Marcos family has also played a role in the Duterte family’s fortunes. The Marcos-led government proved less enthusiastic in protecting the Duterte family, resulting in a shift in their alliance. The Marcos family has its own despotic history, and their presidential candidate, Bongbong Marcos, has faced declining approval ratings, climate, and accusations.
Post-election, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the Vice President, framed her family’s successes as a call to opposition against the Marcos-led government. Although the Marcoses retain control over the Senate, the narrative of the elections revolves around the struggle for power and accountability. Sara’s ratings improved following her father’s arrest, as did those of other Duterte-aligned candidates. However, disinformation campaigns are believed to contribute to this boost.
The next major electoral contest in the Philippines will be the presidential elections in 2028, with Sara Duterte currently leading in public opinions polls. However, an impeachment conviction would disqualify her from holding office. Political pundits and observers, including Emily Soriano, worry about the implications of the Dutertes’ return to power, fearing a continuation of the previous administration’s policies.
Source: https://time.com/7285057/philippines-elections-results-senate-duterte-marcos-drug-war-political-dynasties/
