Presidential Elections

Against the backdrop of a pandemic, not only the huge campaign rallies attracting hundreds of thousands of people were impressive, but also the electoral exercise.  65,745,512 Filipinos were registered for the nationwide election, of which 55,549,791 casted their vote, some even queuing for hours to exercise their constitutional right. The turnout of 83 percent is the highest in the Philippine history. It showcases the importance of the election which – similar to the presidential race in the USA in 2020 between Joe Biden and Donald Trump – was a showdown on the key directions and the future of an entire nation. 

  

As of 20 May 2022, 98 percent of the votes are counted and the yet inofficial result is as follows:

​Ferdinand Marcos Jr.	​31,104,175
​Leni Robredo	​14,822,051
​Manny Paquiao	​3,629,805
​Isko Moreno Domagoso	​1,900,010
​Ping Lagson	​882,236
​...	​

  

For the Vice-Presidential Race, the current vote tally shows the following image:

   

  

Other than for the ongoing counting on the Presidential and Vice-Presidential race, the 12 incoming Senators were proclaimed on 18 May 2022 to join their colleagues in the Senate, comprising a total of 24 senatorial seats:

   

Unless an ongoing petition at the Philippine Supreme Court against Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. succeeds, and irregularities of the election are proven, the son of the former Dictator/Autocrat Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr.  who ruled the Philippines under Martial Law in the 70s and 80s, will take over the Presi-dency from Rodrigo Duterte, who ruled the country in the past six years.

   

As to the Vice-Presidential race, the daughter of the outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte, who replaced her father as the Mayor of Davao when he became President, will take over the role from the current Vice-President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo.

  

Despite the strong and inspiring “Pink” movement led by Vice-President Robredo and Senator Pangilinan for transparency, fight against corruption and good governance, the election again showed strong support for some form of continuation of the socio-economic policies of the past legislation period(s). It seems as well noteworthy that among the newly elected Senators, only one opposition candidate was able to secure a seat.

   

It remains to be seen which course Mr. Marcos and Ms. Duterte will take, who both did not attend any of the official public debates and arguably refrained from giving clear positions in person on the pressing questions for the Philippines.

   

It is expected that the policies of the Duterte Administration will be continued, including the strengthening of the ties with China (and eventually Russia). 

   

Certainly, like in many countries coming out of the pandemic, there are many challenges to face in the near to mid-term based on domestic and international uncertainties. One of them will be to kick-start the economy again and to deal with the highest public debt of 60.5 percent of GDP since 2005. Marcos Sr. led the country into a debt crisis. Marcos Jr. needs to prove that he will do better than his father. 

   

Other challenges that Marcos, Jr. will face are: His own tax liabilities, overseas diplomacy, dealing with his family´s past historically and materially, freedom of information and press, good governance, the fight against corruption, reduction of poverty and, of course, a sound economic program.