Saturday, March 29, 2025
Duterte’s Jail Election Victory : The Philippine mid-term elections have caused surprising shifts in power. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s grip on the Senate is weakening. His allies are set to secure fewer Senate seats than expected. At the same time, former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained in The Hague, has won the mayoral race in his family’s stronghold.
After counting 80% of the votes, Marcos’ allies seem to have won only six out of 12 Senate seats. This outcome was a surprise. Duterte loyalists are likely to secure at least four seats. The most notable victory was by Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s aide, who topped the rankings. Another significant win was for former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Non-Duterte and non-Marcos candidates also did well. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino placed second, surprising many. This marks a rare comeback for the Aquino family, who had been out of the national political scene for years.
Rodrigo Duterte’s mayoral win is not surprising. The Duterte family has controlled Davao for decades. Despite his detention in the Netherlands for his drug war, Duterte retains significant support. His son, Sebastian, was elected vice-mayor. Other Duterte family members also won key positions.
Maintaining control of Davao is crucial for the Duterte family. It remains their main power base.
The Senate race has implications for Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. She could be banned from politics if the Senate votes to impeach her. This situation is complicated by shifting political loyalties. Marcos’ Senate allies may not stay loyal. Senators often balance their own ambitions with party interests.
Voters faced long lines and reports of malfunctioning vote machines. The election also saw sporadic violence. Philippine politics often blends celebrity with politics. Candidates use their fame to run flashy campaigns. This sometimes overshadows more critical issues like corruption, cost of living, and infrastructure.
