MANILA — Tens of millions of Filipinos are voting in the country’s midterm elections, which will select half the 24-strong Senate, all 317 members of the House of Representatives and thousands of local municipal leaders and legislators.
Polls close in an hour, at 7 p.m. local time, and, thanks to automated counting, many unofficial returns are expected a few hours after that. Official declarations are due in a week, after candidates have had a chance to challenge the outcome.
We will bring you the results as they come and analysis on what they mean for one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia. Some of our recent coverage of the campaign, the economy and former President Rodrigo Duterte’s detention by the International Criminal Court are at the bottom:
All times are local to the Philippines.
6 p.m. The Philippines’ bicameral Congress is modelled on the U.S., with a House of Representatives and Senate. All House members are elected every three years while Senators serve for six years with half being elected in the midterms and half at the same time as the president.
In the House, district representatives are allocated 254 of the 317 seats. The remaining 63 seats are filled by so-called party list members, who represent minorities and groups considered marginalized.
The Senate election is a nationwide contest with all the candidates listed on the ballot paper. The 12 who receive the most votes are elected. There are 66 Senate candidates this year.
House members are limited to serving three consecutive three-year terms. Senators can serve two six-year terms. All members of Congress can run for office again after taking a break for one term.
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Here is some of our recent coverage:
In Philippines election, personality trumps policy as economic storm brews
Philippine Q1 GDP misses forecasts as Trump trade war starts to bite
Duterte family retains strong support in Davao City heartland
Trump policies threaten to shake foundation of shock-resistant Philippine peso
Duterte’s ICC detention, disinformation loom large in Philippine midterms
Philippine central bank cuts rates in wake of Trump tariff flip-flops
‘Martyr’ Duterte seeks to capture the hearts of the Philippine public
Ex-Philippine President Duterte faces lengthy legal battle at ICC
