The Philippines’ 2025 midterm elections, held on May 12, unfolded as one of the most politically charged contests in recent memory, transforming what is typically a subdued event into a dramatic proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. While neither leader appeared on the ballot, both campaigned vigorously for their respective allies, with the results poised to reshape the nation’s political landscape and set the stage for the 2028 presidential race.
Over 18,000 positions were contested nationwide, including all 317 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 of the 24 seats in the Senate, alongside thousands of local government posts. The Senate race, in particular, drew intense focus, as it holds significant legislative power and could influence the fate of both Marcos’s policy agenda and Duterte’s political future. The Senate will also play a pivotal role as a potential impeachment court, with Duterte facing an impending trial that could end her vice presidency and bar her from future office.
Voting proceeded from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with early access granted to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women. While most precincts closed on time, some areas-especially in Mindanao-experienced delays due to logistical issues and local disputes, though the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported no declaration of election failure. This election also marked the first use of automated counting machines supplied by South Korean firm Miru Systems, replacing the previous Smartmatic system, though minor technical glitches were reported.
As polls closed, the nation turned its attention to the initial results, with media outlets providing real-time updates through Comelec’s transparency server. The outcome of these elections is expected to have far-reaching consequences, not only for the immediate balance of power in Congress but also for the broader trajectory of Philippine democracy as the Marcos and Duterte factions vie for dominance in the years ahead.
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(Source: GMA News Online | Inquirer)
