However, this overwhelming triumph poses a dilemma for the Philippines, as the mayor-elect is currently imprisoned thousands of kilometers away awaiting trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have accused the 80-year-old political figure of orchestrating a harsh anti-drug campaign that resulted in the deaths of potentially thousands of individuals, including many innocent civilians.
The recent midterm election, which drew significant attention, was viewed as a showdown between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Duterte-Carpio amid the deteriorating relationship between the once-close allies who have turned into rivals.
The vice president is facing impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives amid allegations of corruption, which she denies. A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required to convict her, remove her from public office, and ban her from seeking any public post.
To stay in office, Duterte-Carpio needs nine of 24 senators to vote for her acquittal. And neither the Marcoses nor the Dutertes dominate the Senate after the May 2025 vote.
The race yielded a three-way stalemate between Marcos-endorsed candidates, Duterte-allied politicians, and liberal-leaning figures, said Maria Ela Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.
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“The vice president has more breathing room now … but she should also be careful with how the public perceives her,” Atienza said. “Her popularity ratings have recovered a bit … but we have seen she can make mistakes that can affect the sentiments of the people.”
In reality, the Filipino public is also becoming impatient with the drama in high places, Atienza said. “They’re getting tired of having the Dutertes always fighting with the Marcoses,” she said.
For now, political bickering is in gridlock. But Rodrigo Duterte’s stronghold still stands and his supporters long for the day he is officially declared mayor and comes back to serve his home country.
