Millions of Filipinos voted in midterm elections on Monday, including the former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is in prison. He was one of many candidates hoping to win around 18,000 positions in the government. Local news showed President Marcos Jr. voting in Batac City.

In this picture from the Presidential Communications Office, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in the middle, showing the ink on his finger after he voted at a polling place in Batac City, Ilocos Norte province, Philippines, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

A man votes at a polling station in Quezon City, Philippines, on Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe)

Citizens exercised their right to vote at a designated polling location in Quezon City, Philippines, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte talks to journalists at a press conference after voting in Davao City, southern Philippines, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

In this picture from Team Pacquiao, famous Filipino boxer and former senator Manny Pacquiao has ink on his finger after voting in Kiamba, southern Philippines, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Authored by TERESA CEROJANO

Even though he is held in The Hague, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was one of the candidates who wanted to win about 18,000 national and local jobs in Monday's elections. People who study politics think these elections will show if he and his family will stay in power.

Since March, Duterte has been held by the International Criminal Court. He is waiting for his trial for crimes against humanity. These crimes are linked to a violent campaign against illegal drugs during his time as president from 2016 to 2022. This campaign resulted in the deaths of thousands of people suspected of drug use or dealing. However, being held by the court has not prevented him from trying to become the mayor of Davao city in the south, which is a place where he has strong support.

In the Philippines, people accused of crimes can run for election, even if they are in prison. This is allowed unless they have been found guilty by a court and cannot appeal the decision.

People think Duterte will probably win the election for mayor of Davao, a job he had for more than 20 years before he was president. But it's not clear how he can do the job if he is in prison.

More than 68 million Filipinos were registered to vote on Monday for different positions. These included half of the 24 Senate members and all 317 seats in the House of Representatives.

Voting finished at 7 p.m. local time, but people still waiting in line in some places could still vote. Election officials said they might know the first results in a few hours, and the final results would be announced within a week.

The main attention is on the Senate election. This election could decide the political future of Vice President Sara Duterte, who is Duterte's daughter. She will have a trial in the Senate in July. People say she planned to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and misused money from her office. She says these accusations are false and that her political rivals are spreading them to ruin her career.

Many people think Sara Duterte could be a strong candidate for president in 2028. But if the Senate finds her guilty, she would lose her job as vice president and would not be allowed to work in government anymore. To be found not guilty, at least nine out of the 24 senators need to vote for her.

According to Maria Ela Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, the 2025 midterm elections are very important. The results will show who will likely be in power in the 2028 elections.

If Sara Duterte is found guilty in the trial, it could mean the Duterte family will no longer have important jobs in the country, she stated. Other family members in the election are Rodrigo Duterte’s younger son, Sebastian, who is currently the mayor of Davao. He is now trying to become vice mayor and people think he will likely win. His older son, Paolo, wants to be elected again as a member of parliament. Two of his grandchildren are also trying to win positions in local elections.

Rodrigo Duterte was impeached, arrested, and sent to the court in The Hague after Marcos and Sara Duterte had problems because of political disagreements and different goals.

Earlier on Monday, Sara Duterte voted in Davao, and Marcos voted in his hometown of Batac City in the north.

After voting, she told reporters she would accept the voters' decision, even if her candidates lost.

Speaking about her father's likely victory, she said, "Certainly, he won't be here. We expect the vice mayor, Sebastian, to be the temporary mayor."

Marcos, in a video message the day before the election, asked Filipinos to vote and share their opinions.

Her father's spiritual adviser and close political friend, Apollo Quiboloy, who is a televangelist, is also trying to become a Senator. However, he is in prison because he is accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking. The U.S. also wants him for the same reasons.

Voting was negatively affected by some violent incidents. For example, in Silay City, police said two people died and seven were injured in a shooting. In another area, New Corella, supporters of two candidates for mayor had a gunfight, resulting in two deaths and two injuries. In Basilan, seven people were killed in shootings that might be connected to the election. Shootings in other parts of the country also injured several people.

Arguments between supporters of different candidates also held up voting in some areas. In Manila, some people said their names were not on the list in their polling station. Others complained about the long line in the very hot weather.

Voter Reymark Marquez stated that the Marcos-Duterte team, who won in 2022, did not keep their promises. He believes the midterm elections are not just about Duterte against Marcos, but about choosing the best leaders.

"I believe this election is about the future of our children," said Diana Joy Acosta, a new mother aged 32, after voting in a school in Mandaluyong City, part of Manila. For her baby's future, she wants to see less corruption and honest politicians elected.