6 hours Ago
Marcos Loses Ground in the Senate
The mid-term elections held on Monday filled 18,000 positions, ranging from local offices to key senate seats. The 12-seat senate race, in particular, was closely watched because it directly affects the outcome of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. If found guilty by the senate, she could be banned from holding public office, disrupting her expected run for the presidency in 2028.
Contrary to earlier expectations, only six candidates aligned with Marcos seem to have won seats. Among them is Camille Villar, who also received endorsement from the Duterte camp. In the top five vote-getters, only one Marcos-supported candidate, broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, secured a position. The leading candidate was Christopher "Bong" Go, a known Duterte loyalist, while another Duterte ally, former police chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, ranked third.
Sara Duterte's impeachment remains uncertain. Senators, often balancing personal ambitions with party loyalty, may shift their support. This complicates the president's efforts to secure enough votes for the trial, which requires a two-thirds senate majority.
Interestingly, two newly elected senators, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino and Francis Pangilinan, are not affiliated with either political dynasty. Bam Aquino's unexpected second-place finish marks a return of the Aquino family, once the Marcoses' main political rivals. His cousin, former President Benigno Aquino III, had kept the family in the national spotlight until their recent political decline.
Duterte Clan Retains Stronghold in Davao
Despite being held in The Hague for charges related to his war on drugs, Rodrigo Duterte has retained his political hold by winning the mayoral race in Davao. His family continues to dominate the region: his son Sebastian, the previous mayor, will now serve as vice-mayor; another son, Paolo, has been re-elected as congressman; and Duterte's grandchildren have secured local posts.
His arrest at Manila Airport, approved by President Marcos Jr, intensified the political rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte camps. This followed closely after the House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte. Although Rodrigo Duterte is detained, he remains eligible to run for office since he has not been convicted. His victory against a lesser-known rival reinforces the Dutertes' grip on power in the southern Philippines.
With the Dutertes maintaining dominance in their home base and gaining ground in the senate, and Marcos struggling to secure full backing, the political balance in the Philippines appears to be shifting. The months ahead will be crucial as both camps navigate an increasingly complex political landscape.
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