Millions of Filipinos headed to the polls on Monday in a pivotal midterm election that has become a showdown between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. While neither leader is on the ballot, their influence looms large as they back opposing slates of candidates vying for over 18,000 positions nationwide.
The stakes are high, with voters electing 12 senators, members of the House of Representatives, and thousands of local officials. The new senators will make up half of the 24-member Senate, a body that could play a crucial role in future legislative battles.
Polling stations opened at 5 a.m., but the day was marred by violence when a shooting near a voting center in Negros Occidental province left at least two people dead and five others injured. Despite the incident, the Commission on Elections reported that about 68 million Filipinos are expected to cast their votes.
The Philippine National Police have been on high alert since early May, with the Armed Forces and Coast Guard deploying quick reaction teams to ensure the security of polling stations across the archipelago. Authorities have reported at least 13 election-related deaths and 16 injuries in 35 incidents leading up to the elections.
As the polls close at 7 p.m., the nation awaits the unofficial results, which are expected to be released shortly after. The outcome could reshape the political landscape and set the tone for the remaining years of the Marcos administration.
