Philippines votes in high stakes midterms amid Marcos Duterte showdown

MANILA - Voting was under way in the Philippines on May 12 for a normally low-key midterm election that is showcasing an emotionally charged proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and ally-turned-foe, Vice-President Sara Duterte.

Ms Duterte and Mr Marcos are not on the ballot for more than 18,000 positions but have been campaigning aggressively for their slates of candidates, as their bitter rivalry dominates a contest that could influence the future dynamics of power in the country of 110 million people.

At stake for Mr Marcos is his policy agenda, his legacy and influence over his succession in 2028.

As for Ms Duterte, her political survival could ride on the vote, with an impeachment trial looming that could kill any future hopes of becoming president and following in the footsteps of her father Rodrigo Duterte.

While posts for mayors, governors and Lower House lawmakers are up for grabs, the tussle for Mr Marcos and Ms Duterte is over a dozen coveted seats in the 24-member Senate, a chamber with sweeping legislative influence and political clout that can shape public opinion and sink presidential ambitions.

“This election is more than an informal referendum on the Marcos administration,” said Dr Aries Arugay, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.

“The Senate race is the key proxy battle... Marcos needs to retain a majority, or supermajority, to push forward his legislative and economic agenda.”

Local media reported that voting, which runs from 5am to 7pm, was generally proceeding as expected, aside from some delays caused by glitches in the vote-counting machines.

Acrimonious feud

The election has a new significance after the collapse of the once formidable alliance between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties and the dramatic fall from grace of the popular Duterte family, which has accused the