Philippines elections

As expected, the country's established political clans performed well in the May 12 election – but they didn't have everything their way.

Following an underwhelming electoral return, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is likely to lean all the more heavily on his relationship with Washington.

The results have set the scene for a similarly polarized battle during Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

Two international election monitoring groups noted “systemic deficiencies," especially in local elections.

Candidates aligned with the former president are on track to win four Senate seats, which could be crucial in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming impeachment trial.

The dramatic feud between the two political dynasties has polarized the Filipino electorate and crowded out substantial policy debates.

Intelligence agencies have warned that China-affiliated entities are "amplifying divisive political discourse” ahead of the midterm elections on May 12.

Candidates endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are on track to win nine of the 12 Senate seats up for grabs at the midterm elections in May.

At a political rally last week, Rodrigo Duterte joked about killing 15 senators with a bomb in order to free up positions for his own party's candidates.

The conflict between the two prominent political clans has continued into the first week of campaigning for May's mid-term polls.

Last week's impeachment of Sara Duterte has added an extra weight of political significance to the 12 Senate seats up for election.

Government funds intended for the poor are often used by politicians as a form of political patronage.