The forthcoming midterm elections after the split of the Marcos-Duterte unity team gives us an interesting glimpse of the shifting political landscape in the country and, mainly after the arrest of former President Digong Duterte, who is now detained at The Hague while awaiting trial for his alleged crimes against humanity.
The split could likely lead to a realignment of political forces, with some voters switching allegiances or opting for third-party alternatives. This could signal a shift towards a more interesting and meaningful political affiliations.
The collapse of the alliance between the camps of Marcos and Duterte, considered the two of the most polarizing figures in the country’s recent political history, could have a notable impact on the behavior of the voters.
The voters in this midterm polls appear increasingly driven apart along ideological lines, with supporters of President BBM and former President Digong Duterte, voting in line with their respective camps. The electoral landscape is going to shift with traditional strongholds being contested and new alliances forged.
This midterm elections could even be considered a “shadow polls” between President BBM and his cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez and the Dutertes, particularly the political parties affiliated with and considered Digong’s die-hards. Or, the results may even indicate a desire for change among the electorate, with voters seeking alternatives to the traditional political elite.
The outcome of the midterm polls is also likely, if not undeniably, to create uncertainty for the Marcos administration potentially impacting governance and his policy implementation. This could lead to a period of political adjustment or modification.
These outcomes underscore the evolving nature of Philippine politics, where alliances are very fluid and voters’ sentiment shift rapidly to the party or individual deemed the political underdog. The aftermath of these midterm polls will likely shape the political landscape in the lead-up to future elections.
Then suddenly, with less than two weeks before the voters will troop to their respective polling places on May 12, 2025, the administration finally decided to sell the much-ballyhooed P20 per kilo rice and it will be distributed in the Visayan region but at our expense as taxpayers, as it will be subsidized at an amount of P3.5 to P4.5 billion. Why the Visayas region and not nationwide? Is it because the Visayan votes are measured as swing votes on whatever is the outcome of the votes in Luzon and Mindanao? Perhaps, this had something to do with the overwhelming support and sentiment exhibited by the Visayan voters on the arrest by the International Criminal Court of Duterte, who made the endorsements of the candidates prior to his jettison to The Hague.
SunStar Cebu columnist Emilio de Catalina (Hukngay) dubbed the government’s move as “attention-catching” to sell rice at the subsidized price of P20 per kilo with the election is only a month away. Indeed, the timing is so suspect. Be that as it may, this simply suggests that the Visayan votes are precious and deserves the government’s attention. On the other hand, while I was preparing myself Tuesday afternoon to write this column, a relative pass on to my Messenger the news that Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia was ordered suspended by the Ombudsman. I had it fact-check with my mentor Atty. Checking Seares, who responded with the FB post on the Breaking News of Governor Garcia’s preventive suspension for six months by the Ombudsman.
The complaint against Governor Garcia allegedly stemmed from the issuance of a special permit to Shalom Construction Inc. on May 14, 2024, without securing first an environmental compliance certificate or a certificate of non-coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), nor holding any prior consultation with relevant government agencies.
It is hardly believable that Governor Garcia would be preventively suspended for six months by the Ombudsman just weeks prior to the election on May 12 knowing that she is so closely connected with the administration. Hence, it cannot be said that Garcia’s suspension by the Ombudsman is politically motivated.
Garcia will appeal her suspension, stating that the issuance of the special permit in question was anchored on an urgent need to address the critical water shortage that had severely affected the entire franchise area of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District, which covers Cebu City and seven other local government units.
“I must respectfully disagree with both the basis and the necessity of this action. All decisions [such as the issuance of the special permit] were undertaken in close collaboration with the affected local government units, as well as with the government agencies tasked to regulate environmental matters — namely, the DENR, the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau,” Garcia said.
“My legal team is already taking the necessary steps to challenge this preventive suspension through the proper legal channels. I have full faith that truth and justice will prevail,” she added.
Well said, governor.