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Key Points
- The Philippines will head to the polls on May 12, with nearly 20,000 Filipinos in Australia registered to vote.
- Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant hangs over the election.
- An expert predicts political dynasties and parties will persist.
As of December 2024, a little over 19,000 Filipinos in Australia had registered to vote in this year’s Philippine midterm elections.
What is the election about, and who is running?
According to private polling firm OCTA Research, Senator Bong Go, who previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Head of the Presidential Management Staff during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, tops the list of senatorial candidates.
Workers put up posters of senatorial candidates ahead of the 2025 Philippine midterm elections. Source: Anadolu / Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images
Go gained ground quickly following
The so-called ‘Magic 12’ includes former senator and TV personality Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration; Ben Tulfo, TV personality and brother to Erwin Tulfo; and Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, a former action star and celebrity.
A tale of two political dynasties
According to Professor Cleo Anne Calimbahin, Senior Research Fellow of the ANU Philippines Institute, Duterte’s arrest and the ongoing feud between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, will have an effect on this year’s midterms.
Once from the same party, Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had a falling out and are now fierce political rivals.
“The fallout between Marcos and the Dutertes can see the elections become even more contested and polarised. It can go either way for both parties — it can bring in more supporters or dissipate support,” Calimbahin said.
“Their machinery has been effective, for let’s say 30 years. It’s worked for them. They also have a personal relationship with their constituents. They become sponsors in weddings, become godparents to their constituents’ children. That’s how loyalties are solidified.”
A connection
“I’m trying not to be controversial and say who I voted for, but I have delivered my vote and I stand by it.”
