MANILA. The May 12 midterm elections in the Philippines dealt a significant political setback to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., as key allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte and two prominent opposition figures emerged as the top winners in the Senate race, based on official results released Friday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The results delivered a surprising boost to Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate in July, and demonstrated persistent support for the Duterte camp despite ongoing legal controversies and a deepening political rift with the Marcos administration.
Five of the 12 winning senatorial candidates were endorsed by Vice President Duterte, including her political ally and the president’s sister, Imee Marcos, and Camille Villar, a member of another influential political clan. Another five winners were aligned with President Marcos, while two came from the liberal opposition, marking a rare victory for critics of both political dynasties.
Among the top five finishers were Duterte-backed candidates and surprise comebacks from opposition veterans. Erwin Tulfo, a media personality and Marcos ally who once led in pre-election surveys, only landed in fourth place. Meanwhile, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both associated with the opposition, claimed second and fifth place, respectively.
Political analyst Ronald Llamas described the results as a referendum on President Marcos’s administration.
“It’s a plebiscite on the president, it’s a referendum on the government, and it looks like they lost there,” Llamas said, noting that while Duterte allies did well, many candidates who opposed the former president also performed strongly in lower house races.
“It’s a vote against the administration,” he added.
The Marcos-Duterte alliance that secured victory in the 2022 national elections has since unraveled, culminating in Sara Duterte’s impeachment in February over allegations of misuse of public funds and plotting to assassinate the president—accusations she vehemently denies, calling the proceedings a “political assassination.” Her father, former President Duterte, was arrested shortly after and turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The impeachment trial in the Senate will require at least nine of 24 senators to vote for her acquittal. Analysts believe public sentiment and political calculations will influence undecided senators.
“Definitely Sara gained in the election in her fight against impeachment,” said Llamas. “The impeachment will be uphill but not impossible.”
At least two sitting senators who were not up for re-election are believed to be sympathetic to the vice president. However, shifting political winds, especially following this unexpected election outcome, may determine whether she survives the trial and remains eligible for a potential presidential run in 2028. A conviction would bar her from holding public office for life.
Despite his detention at the ICC in The Hague since March, former President Rodrigo Duterte was elected mayor of Davao City, his political stronghold, in a landslide victory. He awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his controversial war on drugs from 2016 to 2022, a campaign that left thousands dead.
Under Philippine election laws, candidates under investigation or even in detention are allowed to run for office unless they have been convicted and all appeals exhausted.
Meanwhile, Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC, confirmed the court is also investigating Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Senator Bong Go for their roles in Duterte’s drug war. Both remain political allies of the former president.
As the Senate prepares for the high-stakes impeachment trial, the Duterte camp appears emboldened, while the Marcos administration faces growing questions about its waning influence in the legislature.
With reports from the Associated Press
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
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