Philippine Midterm Elections 2022: Duterte's Impact And Marcos's Response

Hugo van Dijk

6 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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Duterte's Legacy: A Defining Factor in the 2022 Midterms

Rodrigo Duterte's six-year term left an indelible mark on Philippine politics, profoundly impacting the 2022 midterm elections. His controversial policies and strongman leadership style created a deeply polarized environment, influencing voter behavior and shaping the strategies of aspiring candidates.

The "War on Drugs" and its Electoral Ramifications

Duterte's controversial "War on Drugs" campaign remains a highly contentious issue. The campaign, characterized by extrajudicial killings and human rights violations, drew widespread international condemnation. However, despite the criticism, a significant portion of the population continued to support Duterte.

• Shift in public opinion: While international pressure mounted, domestic support for the campaign fluctuated, with some regions showing stronger backing than others.
• Impact on specific regions: The impact of the drug war varied across regions, influencing local candidate choices and electoral outcomes. Areas with higher reported drug activity saw different voting patterns compared to those with lower reported activity.
• Influence on candidate choices: Candidates' stances on the drug war became a critical factor in their campaigns, with some embracing Duterte's tough approach while others advocated for human rights-focused alternatives.

Economic Policies and Their Electoral Resonance

Duterte's economic policies, particularly the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program, aimed to stimulate economic growth. The program's success, however, was uneven, with some infrastructure projects facing delays and controversies.

• "Build, Build, Build" program: While significant investments were made in infrastructure, the long-term impact on the economy and its effect on poverty reduction remained debatable.
• Infrastructure development: The uneven distribution of infrastructure projects across regions and the lack of transparency in some projects led to criticism and questions about their effectiveness.
• Impact on poverty levels: Although some progress was made in reducing poverty, the effects were not uniform across all socioeconomic groups, leading to varying levels of satisfaction and influencing voting patterns.

Political Polarization and its Effect on the Elections

Duterte's presidency fueled political polarization, with deep divisions emerging between his supporters and critics. The use of social media and disinformation campaigns further exacerbated these divisions.

• Rise of online political discourse: Social media played a significant role in shaping public opinion and disseminating both pro- and anti-Duterte narratives.
• Role of social media influencers: Influencers wielded considerable power, swaying public sentiment through targeted campaigns and the spread of misinformation.
• Impact on voter turnout: The highly polarized climate led to increased voter engagement, but also resulted in deep divisions within communities.

Marcos's Strategic Response: Navigating Duterte's Shadow

Bongbong Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., strategically navigated the complex political landscape shaped by Duterte's legacy. His campaign demonstrated a keen understanding of the prevailing political climate and the need to both capitalize on existing support and address concerns about his family's past.

Capitalizing on Duterte's Support Base

Marcos Jr. effectively leveraged Duterte's support base, aligning his campaign messaging with Duterte's policies and securing endorsements from key allies.

• Endorsements received: Crucial endorsements from Duterte and his allies provided Marcos with significant political capital and boosted his credibility among Duterte's supporters.
• Campaign strategies employed: Marcos's campaign mirrored Duterte's populist appeal, emphasizing nationalism and a strong stance on law and order.
• Political alliances forged: Strategic alliances with Duterte's political party and other key players solidified Marcos's position and broadened his reach.

Addressing Concerns about the Marcos Family Legacy

The Marcos family's controversial past, including allegations of human rights abuses and corruption during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s regime, presented a significant challenge for Bongbong Marcos. His campaign attempted to mitigate this historical baggage through various strategies.

• Public relations strategies: Marcos Jr.'s campaign employed sophisticated PR tactics to improve his image and counter negative narratives surrounding his family's history.
• Historical revisionism: The campaign actively engaged in re-interpreting historical events, often downplaying or denying the severity of human rights abuses committed under his father's regime.
• Impact on public perception: While his efforts had some success, public opinion regarding the Marcos family's past remained divided, with younger generations exhibiting less awareness or negative sentiment than older generations.

Crafting a Distinct Political Identity

Despite leveraging Duterte's support, Marcos also worked to establish a separate political identity. He crafted a distinct image aiming to appeal to a broader electorate beyond Duterte's loyal following.

• Campaign promises: Marcos presented his own set of campaign promises, differentiating himself from Duterte in certain areas, emphasizing unity and national reconciliation.
• Policy positions: He articulated policy positions that, while aligned with some Duterte-era policies, also sought to portray a more moderate and inclusive approach.
• Attempts to distance himself from his father's legacy: While acknowledging his family history, he emphasized his own generation and distinct political vision, though often failing to fully engage with the darker aspects of his family's past.

The Outcomes and Their Significance: A Look at the Election Results

The 2022 midterm elections saw a significant victory for Bongbong Marcos and his allies. The results reflected the enduring impact of Duterte's presidency and the success of Marcos's campaign strategies in navigating this complex political landscape.

• Key victories and defeats: Analyzing which candidates won and lost, and their respective affiliations, reveals important insights into the shifting political landscape.
• Shifts in political power: The election results indicated a significant shift in political power, with Marcos and his allies consolidating their control over key government positions.
• Regional variations in results: Examining regional variations in election outcomes highlights the diverse political dynamics across different parts of the Philippines.

Conclusion

The 2022 Philippine midterm elections demonstrated the enduring influence of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, shaping the political landscape and impacting the strategies employed by candidates like Bongbong Marcos. Marcos successfully navigated the complex political legacy of Duterte, capitalizing on existing support while carefully crafting his own distinct political identity. Understanding the interplay between Duterte's impact and Marcos's response provides crucial insight into the evolving political dynamics of the Philippines. To further explore the intricacies of this pivotal election, delve deeper into research on the Philippine Midterm Elections 2022, examining the impact of specific policies and the evolving political alliances that defined this period.