In The Hague, imprisoned ex-President Rodrigo Duterte predicted to clinch victory for Davao City's mayoral post following the elections.
The Duterte-Marcos Political Saga: A Shifting Tide of Power in the Philippines
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC), is primed for a comeback in his home city of Davao, as midterm election results indicate the continued hold of the Duterte political dynasty on power. The results serve as a significant boost to Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte's daughter who faces an impeachment trial in July.
Twelve out of 24 Senate seats and all 317 seats in the House of Representatives were among the staggering 18,320 elective positions up for grabs in this key election, with nearly 69 million Filipinos registered to vote in the Asia Pacific nation.
Winners of the Election
With 97 percent of the votes accounted for, candidates backed by President Marcos Jr are on track to win six of the 12 seats in the Senate. Duterte's supporters, including close ally Bong Go, are poised to secure five Senate seats. One Senate candidate appears to have secured a win with support from both political families.
Rodrigo Duterte himself is on course to reclaim the mayoral seat in Davao after garnering more than 65 percent of the votes. With a likely assumption of the role by the city's vice mayor Sebastian Duterte, the elder Duterte could serve another term.
The Duterte Political Dynasty: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Unusual in Philippine politics, candidates with criminal charges, including those in detention, can still run for office, unless they are convicted. The politics of the Duterte family have a firm grip on power, with five candidates closely associated with the family leading the Senate race.
The midterm elections were a significant test for Sara Duterte, with the 24-member Senate determining her political future. While Sara Duterte and President Marcos Jr were not on the ballot, their candidates vied for positions spanning from the Senate to municipal offices. Should she secure nine Senate members' support, she can avoid her conviction and remain as a strong contender for the 2028 presidential election.
The Marcos-Duterte Rivalry: A Tale of Two Political Giants
The tense relationship between the Marcos and Duterte families is rooted in both political conflicts and personal animosities, significantly impacting the Philippines' political landscape. The rivalry originated during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, when his hardline stance against illegal drugs resulted in more than 7,000 deaths between 2016 and 2022, as per police records. However, human rights advocates suggest the actual death toll was higher.
The political alliance between the two families crumbled due to faltering support for Marcos Jr among supporters of the Duterte family after the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, the spiritual advisor of former President Duterte, who was charged with sex trafficking. The escalating tension between the duo culminated in the impeachment of Sara Duterte in February 2024, over allegations ranging from the misuse of public funds to a plot against President Marcos' assassination.
To this day, the high-stakes political game between the families rages on, with the future of hundreds of governors and thousands of city mayors, including Sara Duterte and President Marcos Jr themselves, hanging in the balance. The official election results will be declared within a week.
[1]The Long and contentious relationship between the Marcos and Duterte families, Al Jazeera, May 2025[2]Marcos-Duterte feud and its impact on Philippine politics, The Diplomat, May 2025[3]Political tensions mount in Philippines amidst midterm elections, ASEAN Today, May 2025[4]Marcos-Duterte rivalry: A ‘dangerous game' for Philippines, Asia Times, May 2025[5]Stress and mental toll in Filipino voters due to political climate during elections, Psychology Today, May 2025
- With President Marcos Jr's candidates seemingly winning six Senate seats and Duterte's allies securing five, the Duterte Political Dynasty remains a formidable force in the Philippines, marking a shift in the Asia Pacific nation's policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The midterm elections have also revealed the impact of the war-and-conflicts between the Marcos and Duterte families on the general-news landscape of the Philippines, with the future of hundreds of governors and city mayors yet to be determined.
- Breaking news suggests that Sara Duterte, facing an impeachment trial in July, could avoid conviction if she secures nine Senate members' support, opening the door for her possible run in the 2028 presidential election.
- Crime-and-justice concerns have also come to light, with the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, the spiritual advisor of former President Duterte, causing a rift between the Marcos and Duterte families, and potentially affecting the human rights of those involved.
