The Philippines Election: A Critical Moment for Philippine Democracy

The Philippines’ upcoming presidential election is likely to bring to power the son of the country’s longtime dictator and may end Philippine democracy.

Philippine voters will go to the polls May 9 to pick their next president, who serves one, six-year term. Although there are many candidates, only two have any chance. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the former longtime Philippine dictator, has a massive lead in the polls. He currently is polling at 56 percent, with the next highest candidate, former vice president Leni Robredo, polling at 24 percent. There are several minor candidates polling in the low digits. In the Philippines’ one-round system, a candidate does not even need to win a majority to be elected president. This system further favors Marcos Jr.: even if his polling numbers were to slide further, he would still be an overwhelming favorite to win in a plurality.

For more on the Philippine election, and the implications for Philippine democracy and foreign policy, see my new CFR In Brief at: https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/philippines-election-ferdinand-marcos-leni…