Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, detained in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is currently winning the election for mayor of Davao City in his home, while five candidates supported by his family are leading the Senate campaign as the results of the midterm elections seem to indicate that Duterte's political dynasty continues to hold power.
The result is a major boost for Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, who faces impeachment in the Senate in July. A two-thirds majority will take to remove her from the office and ban her from running for future elections, including the 2028 presidential election.
Of the 24 Senate seats and all 317 seats in the House, 12 are one of the 18,320 elective positions won in the main elections. In Asia-Pacific countries, nearly 69 million people have been registered to vote.
With 97% of the vote reported, candidates supported by President Marcos JR will win six of the 12 seats in the Senate.
Duterte supporters, including staunch ally Christopher "Bong" Go, will win five seats. A candidate who wins a seat belongs to two political families.
Rodrigo Duterte will win the mayor seat of Davao City after he won over 65% of the vote.
Duterte is the mayor of the southern city three times and has served for a total of 22 years. If he wins, the city’s deputy mayor mayor may hold the position, which is currently held by his son, Sebastian Duterte.
In the Philippines, candidates facing criminal charges, including those in custody, can run for office unless convicted.
Although Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte do not participate in the polls, their candidates are fighting for the Senate to the municipal office.
Sara Duterte is a strong contender for the 2028 presidential election. Her political future can be decided by 24 Senate. She asked for support for nine Senate members to avoid convictions.
The 12 elected senators will form a half-part jury in her impeachment trial, which is tentatively scheduled for July. If convicted, she will be removed from office and is prohibited from participating in future elections.
She was impeached by the House after being charged with crimes ranging from abuse of public funds to planning the assassination of Marcos.
Sara Duterte said impeachment was part of the political vendetta that two families fought for power.
In this election, thousands of governors and mayors were also decided.
Official results will end within a week.
Sara Duterte is the daughter of former President Duterte, who was arrested by the Marcos JR government on March 11 and sent to The Hague.
Elder Duterte is accused of "crime against humanity" because of an estimated 30,000 deaths during his tenure as mayor and president.
More than 7,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations during his administration between 2016 and 2022, according to police records. Human rights advocates show that the actual death toll is higher.
Jr Marcos Jr has formed an alliance with the Duterte Family, and during his successful 2022 presidential campaign, the Duterte Family has become his running mate with Sara Duterte. But these relationships quickly turned out to be on policy differences and Marcos rejected the drug war initiated by Sara Duterte's father, Rodrigo Duterte.
Finally, the league collapsed due to support for the Duterte supporter Marcos Jr, the spiritual adviser to former Duterte president. Influential pastor Quibology is charged with sexual trafficking.
The ICC warrant Rodrigo Duterte arrested tensions between the two political dynasties.
Before Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, Marcos Jr repeatedly rejected the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over its country, believing that the International Criminal Court "threat" to the country's sovereignty. Marcos Jr believes he will not assist Elder Duterte in the arrest.
"This is the 100th time I say that. I don't know the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court of the Philippines. The Philippine government will not raise its finger to help any investigations conducted by the ICC."
In 2019, Rodrigo Duterte removed the Philippines from the International Criminal Court, meaning the country does not need to detain anyone with an ICC arrest warrant.
In February, political tensions between the Duterte family and Marcos Jr reached a gradual progression. She is still the vice president, but the Senate trial hangs over her head like Damakel's sword.