Allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are on track to secure at least half of the available Senate seats in the Philippines’ midterm elections, according to an unofficial tally released on Monday. The race is being closely watched as a reflection of Marcos’ leadership and an ongoing power struggle with his former ally, Vice President Sara Duterte.
With over half of the votes counted, six out of 12 Senate candidates backed by Marcos are leading, demonstrating strong public support for the president’s administration. The election has turned into a proxy war between Marcos and Duterte, whose once formidable alliance collapsed into a bitter rivalry marked by accusations and an impeachment threat against Duterte.
The falling out between the two leaders has transformed the Senate race into a critical battleground, with Duterte’s allies struggling to maintain their presence. Early results show at least three of her allies, including former police chief Ronald dela Rosa and former presidential aide Christopher Go, are in strong contention for Senate seats.
Analysts suggest a Marcos-friendly Senate could bolster the president’s policy agenda, including his pro-U.S. foreign policy, while also allowing him to influence the political future of his rival Duterte. The Senate’s 24 members could become jurors in a possible impeachment trial against Duterte, where 16 votes would be needed to remove her from office.
The high-stakes contest comes amid the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte—Sara Duterte’s father—at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where he faces charges linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” Despite his detention, the elder Duterte remains a candidate for mayor in his hometown.
Both Dutertes have denied the allegations against them, accusing Marcos of orchestrating a political attack. Marcos has rejected the claims, maintaining that his administration is focused on governance and reform.
