The 'Son of the Dictator' Emerges as a Leading Candidate in the Philippine Presidential Election as Voting Begins

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the 9th, as the Philippine presidential election takes place, the election of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, known as the son of a dictator, is considered highly likely. If Marcos is elected, the dictator’s family, who were stripped of power by the citizens, will regain control after 36 years.

According to local media reports on the day, Marcos showed an overwhelming lead with 56% support in a presidential candidate poll conducted by the local research agency Pulse Asia from the 16th to the 21st of last month, surveying 2,400 people. His competitor, Vice President Leni Robredo, received only 23%, showing a support gap more than twice as large.

For vice president, Sara Davao Mayor, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is expected to win. Mayor Sara Davao’s support rate reached 55%, far ahead of Senate President Vincent Sotto, who ranked second with 18%. Incumbent President Duterte attempted to amend the constitution to change the single six-year term system early in his administration but failed, and instead, his daughter threw her hat into the ring.

Former President Marcos is evaluated as a dictator who tortured or killed thousands of opponents during his rule from 1965 to 1986. He was forced to resign in 1986 due to citizen protests and went into exile in Hawaii.

On the day, the Philippines will elect not only the president and vice president but also 13 senators, 300 representatives, and 18,000 local government officials. The total number of eligible voters is 67 million, and voting hours are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In the lead-up to the election, a recent shootout occurred locally, resulting in casualties. According to AFP, two days ago, supporters of candidates running for mayor in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur Province in the north, engaged in a shootout that left four dead and four injured. In northern Nueva Ecija Province, security guards of two mayoral candidates shot each other, injuring five people and severely damaging nearby vehicles.

To maintain election security, Philippine authorities deployed 48,000 soldiers and 16,000 police officers nationwide starting two days ago to guard polling stations, checkpoints, and election officials. The Philippine police have also implemented a two-day alcohol ban nationwide starting from the 8th, one day before the presidential election, prohibiting the sale and purchase of alcohol.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.