Seems expats are taking a keen interest in the Philippine election race

[ASEAN NOW News]

Over the past few weeks, some of the highest read news articles read by AseanNow viewers have all been about the upcoming election race to elect a new President.

 

Campaigning kicked off in the Philippines recently ahead of an election on May 9 to choose a successor to President Rodrigo Duterte, who is limited to a single term, by law.

 

So, who is in with a chance?

 

 

Below are details about the key candidates for the presidency, starting with the current leader in poll surveys:

 

FERDINAND "BONGBONG" MARCOS JR

 

The namesake of the late dictator, Marcos, 64, is a former governor, congressman and senator who has emerged as a clear frontrunner in opinion polls.

 

Since returning to the Philippines in 1991 from exile after his father's overthrow, the Marcos family has sought to rebuild an image tainted by the elder Marcos' often brutal rule and the plunder of billions of dollars of wealth.

 

Known as "Bongbong", Marcos Jr. has named Sara Duterte-Carpio, Duterte's daughter, as his candidate for vice president. However, the vice president is elected separately.

 

Popular with many younger people who were born after his father's dictatorship, Marcos claims to offer a "unifying" brand of leadership.

 

Observers have attributed his lead in polls to a strong presence on social media, one that critics say is attempting to rewrite the family's controversial history.

 

LENI ROBREDO

 

Vice President Robredo, 56, is the leader of the opposition and the only female candidate.

 

A former human rights lawyer, she served as Duterte's housing minister but quit after being excluded from cabinet meetings and has become one his staunchest critics.

 

After condemning what she called "senseless killings" in his war on drugs, she was appointed Duterte's "drugs tsar", but he sacked her after just 18 days.

 

If elected president, Vice President Leni Robredo said she will certify as urgent two measures to promote transparency in government, a move that might make the bills pass through Congress that has previously stalled on these proposals.

 

Should Robredo win, she would be the third woman to lead the Philippines after democracy champion Corazon Aquino in 1986 and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.

 

She is running with Francis Pangilinan, a lawyer and senator, and is currently in second place in the polls.

 

FRANCISCO "ISKO MORENO" DOMAGOSO

 

The mayor of Manila and former movie heartthrob grew up in the slums, scrapping for leftover food in restaurants and collecting junk to help his parents.

 

Better known by his screen name Isko Moreno, the 47-year-old was spotted by a talent scout and went on to become a matinee idol.

 

He became a city council member in 1998 and Manila's vice-mayor for three terms before an unsuccessful run as senator.

 

He was elected Manila mayor in 2019, beating incumbent and deposed former president Joseph Estrada.

 

Domagoso has promised zero tolerance of Chinese maritime aggression in the South China Sea and his economic agenda centres on housing, labour, health, and infrastructure.

 

Domagoso has announced his running mate is Willie Ong, a doctor who has 16 million followers on Facebook looking for free medical advice.

 

MANNY PACQUIAO

 

Boxing icon Pacquiao, 43, has vowed to jail corrupt officials and has criticised Duterte's close relationship with China.

 

The only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions, Pacquiao retired from boxing last September after the sport brought him huge riches to propel him from humble beginnings as a dirt-poor youngster doing odd jobs to survive.

 

He is a senator who previously served two terms as a congressman and is currently tied with Domagoso in the polls.

 

Pacquiao was until recently one of Duterte's staunchest supporters, backing his war on drugs and efforts to restore the death penalty, but their relationship has soured.

 

He has pledged to improve the healthcare system, eradicate corruption, spur economic growth, and provide housing for the poor.

 

His running mate is Jose Atienza, a congressman and former environment minister.

 

PANFILO LACSON

 

Lacson, 73, is a senator who made an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004 and is currently trailing in most polls.

 

A former national police chief, Lacson became a fugitive in 2010 for more than a year after being charged as the mastermind in the murders of a publicist and his driver 20 years earlier. He was later cleared by the Supreme Court.

 

Lacson has promised to rid the government of corrupt officials, invest in healthcare, and support small businesses.

Lacson's running mate is Vicente Sotto, the senate president, and a former comedian.

 

Media Coverage

 

 

Like in all elections it is the coverage given on TV and now on social media that may sway the final vote.

 

Certainly, Manny is likely to win on the media front both here in the Philippines and certainly internationally.

 

However, although the Filipinos do love him, will they want a boxer in their corner running the country or perhaps a more experienced candidate?

 

It should be an interesting few months.

 

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