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Election campaigns in the Philippines are on the verge of a 9 May election to choose a successor to President Rodrigo Duterte. His term is legally limited to a single term.
Below are details of the leading presidential candidates, starting with the current frontrunner in the opinion polls:
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The 64-year-old Marcos, the namesake of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., is a former governor, congressman, and senator who is the clear frontrunner in the opinion polls.
Since returning to the Philippines from exile in 1991 after his father’s overthrow, the Marcos family has sought to restore an image tarnished by the elder Marcos’ often brutal rule and plunder of billions of dollars in wealth.
Known as “Bongbong,” Marcos Jr. has named Sara Duterte-Carpio, Duterte’s daughter, as his running mate for vice president. The vice president, however, is elected separately.
Marcos, popular with many younger people born after his father’s dictatorship, claims he offers a “unifying” kind of leadership.
Observers attribute his lead in the polls to his strong social media presence, which critics say attempts to rewrite the family’s controversial history.
Leni Robredo
Vice President Robredo, 56, is the leader of the opposition and the only female candidate.
A former human rights lawyer, she was Duterte’s housing minister but resigned after being barred from cabinet meetings and has become one of his fiercest critics.
After condemning what she called the “senseless killings” in his war on drugs, she was appointed Duterte’s “drug commissioner,” but he sacked her after 18 days.
Robredo is pushing for transparency in the public sector and has promised to lead a government that cares for the people and strengthens the medical system.
If Robredo wins, she would be the third woman to lead the Philippines after democracy advocate Corazon Aquino in 1986 and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.
She is running with Francis Pangilinan, a lawyer, and senator, and is currently in second place in the polls.
Isko Moreno
The Manila mayor and former movie star grew up in the slums, scavenging food scraps from restaurants and collecting junk to support his parents.
The 47-year-old, better known by his stage name Isko Moreno, was discovered by a talent scout and became a matinee idol.
He became a member of the city council in 1998 and a vice mayor of Manila for three terms before running unsuccessfully for senator. In 2019, he was elected mayor of Manila, defeating incumbent and deposed former president Joseph Estrada.
Domagoso has promised not to tolerate Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, and his economic agenda focuses on housing, jobs, health, and infrastructure.
Domagoso has announced that his running mate is Willie Ong, a doctor who has 16 million followers on Facebook seeking free medical advice.
Manny Pacquiao
Boxing icon Pacquiao, 43, has vowed to jail corrupt officials and has criticized Duterte’s close ties with China.
Pacquiao, the only man to be world champion in eight different categories, retired from boxing in September after the sport had helped him to great wealth after he made ends meet with odd jobs as a poor boy.
He is a senator, was previously a congressman for two terms, and is currently tied with Domagoso in the polls.
Pacquiao was until recently one of Duterte’s staunchest supporters, backing his war on drugs and efforts to reinstate the death penalty, but their relationship has deteriorated.
He has promised to improve the health system, stamp out corruption, boost economic growth and provide housing for the poor.
His opponent is Jose Atienza, a congressman, and former environment minister.
Panfilo Lacson
Lacson, 73, is a senator who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2004 and is currently trailing in most polls.
The former police chief was on the run for more than a year in 2010 after being charged as the mastermind behind the murders of a publicist and his driver 20 years earlier. The Supreme Court later acquitted him.
Lacson has promised to rid the government of corrupt officials, invest in health care, and support small businesses.
Lacson’s opponent is Vicente Sotto, the Senate president, and former comedian.
- hp
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