Current Political Situation in the Philippines

Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette) devastated the Philippines in 2021, wreaking havoc on the
country's southern regions, including popular tourist sites. When the Omicron variety resurfaced, it
sparked a new round of terror across the country, as well as a new set of mobility limitations. The year
2022 is shaping up to be a difficult one, but many Filipinos are hoping for positive changes as a result of
the next presidential election. The election, which is set for May 9, will elect a new president, vice
president, 12 senators, and municipal politicians to new terms. President Rodrigo Duterte's tenure will
expire in June, and he will be without an appointed successor because his party's candidate has already
dropped out of the campaign.

Although the Omicron surge has rendered this uncertain, the campaign period is set to begin in
February. Some others are even requesting that the election be postponed or canceled. Although this is
improbable, the scope of election operations is expected to be reduced. This will have an impact on how
candidates and voters engage, which could benefit incumbent politicians because they have the
authority to move freely even before the election campaign begins.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will rule on a number of petitions, the most crucial of which is
whether former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator
Ferdinand Marcos, can run for president despite having been convicted of tax evasion. Even though
Marcos is winning most pre-election polls, the Comelec has the power to disqualify him and cancel his
candidacy. The Marcos legacy will be hotly disputed this year as a result of Bongbong's campaign.
Marcos will have the chance to defend his father, who ruled the country for two decades in the 1970s
after declaring martial law. He should not be comfortable about his good polling numbers because, in
addition to rivals who will campaign against him during the election period, pro-democracy forces that
opposed the dictatorship will also campaign against him.

More than the Marcos issue, the pandemic will loom large in the minds of most voters. There is a
general frustration over the Duterte government’s pandemic response, which has been characterized by
an overreliance on prolonged militarized lockdowns. It does not help that an ongoing Senate
examination is evaluating the responsibility of Duterte officials in the signing of anomalous health supply
contracts. It will not be difficult for opponents to connect the corruption scandal with the
pharmaceutical shortage being experienced in several urban locations. The recent pronouncement of
various vaccine mandates might also potentially ignite street and community protests. However, the
public is outraged not only by the additional restrictions, but also by the inability to provide enough
relief and aid to displaced workers and small business owners. A significant number of people have
expressed dissatisfaction with the impact of COVID-19-related urban closures. They're joined by
education officials who are still recovering after one of the world's longest school closures. The Omicron
version has caused significant delays in the reopening of schools, extending the agony of students and
educators who are unable to take distance learning classes due to poor internet connections.
2. Who are the major political parties in the Philippines and who are their candidates for national
elections?

 Nacionalista Party Nationalist

 Nationalist People's Coalition
 Partido Liberal Liberal Party

3. Whom do you think will win?

President: Leni Robredo or Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos

Vice President: Willie Ong

Senators:

Chel Diokno

Chiz Escudero

Gen. Guillermo Eleazar

Alan Peter Cayetano

Gatchalian Win

Risa Hontiveros

Migz Zubiri

Dick Gordon

Espiritu, Luke

Samira Gutoc