Philippines' Duterte set to fortify power as allies near poll win

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's allies were poised for victory in midterm polls, unofficial results showed Tuesday, signaling firm approval of his rule and clearing a path for his most controversial plans.

In Monday's vote, administration loyalist candidates for the Senate were headed for a resounding election win, according to data released by the PPCRV, a Catholic-run poll monitor accredited by the government to tally votes.

With 94 percent of ballots counted early Tuesday, Duterte allies were on track to take nine of 12 open seats in the upper house, which has been a bulwark against some of the president's most controversial proposals.

Citizens cast their votes during the Philippine Midterm Elections at polling station in Cotabato City, Philippines, May 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

Official, complete results from the nation's elections commission are expected in the coming days.

Historically, the nation's 24 senators – who serve six-year terms – have had a reputation for being more independent-minded than the lower house.

More than 18,000 positions were at stake in the vote, primarily local posts, but also half the Senate and nearly 300 seats in the lower House of Representatives.

The polls saw isolated outbursts of violence.

At least 20 people were killed and 24 wounded in election-related violence in the run-up to the vote, according to an official count.

Campaign posters in front of Baseco Elementary School in Manila, May 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

Turnout was steady throughout the day and voters across the country flooded social media with images of their ink-stained fingernails, which are daubed blue as a protection against voter fraud.

Duterte, 74, hit the campaign trail to get his supporters into the Senate, giving two-hour speeches at late-night rallies.

The president's daughter Sara – eyed by some as his potential successor in the 2022 vote – was poised to keep her post as mayor in the family's southern bailiwick of Davao city.

Her younger brother Sebastian ran unopposed for the city's vice-mayoral seat, while Duterte's eldest son Paolo was on track for a seat in the House of Representatives, PPCRV data showed.

"If you agree with me then you can vote for my candidates," Rodrigo Duterte, who was not on the ballot, told reporters after casting his vote.

"If I am repudiated by the loss of all my candidates... that's that", he added.

Source(s): AFP