Allies of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte are outperforming in the early count for the Senate elections, boosting her chances of surviving an upcoming impeachment trial and remaining eligible to run for the presidency in 2028.

Voting was underway in the Philippines on Monday for a normally low-key midterm election that is showcasing an emotionally charged proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and ally-turned-foe,

Even though he is detained in The Hague, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is among the candidates vying for some 18,000 national and local seats in Monday’s midterm elections