Filipinos went to the polls on May 9th 2022 for an important general election, to elect president, vice-president, renew the House of Representatives, some Senate seats, and elect governors, and several local officials. The main headline is that a majority of voters in the Philippines elected Ferdinand Marcos, also referred to as Bongbong Marcos, the son of infamous dictator Ferdinand Marcos, as president. Moreover, Sara Duterte, the daughter of illiberal president Rodrigo Duterte won the 2022 contest to become vice-president. Does this reflect a rejection of liberal norms? Nostalgia for a past that never existed? Given that this follows the tenure of authoritarian and illiberal Rodrigo Duterte, does this perhaps reflect a preference for so-called “strong men”?
We're joined by Dr. Aries Arugay, Professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, to break down this crucial election and the state of Philippine democracy.