The Philippines elects a new president today, the latest poll: Marcos is elected "almost no suspense"
【Global Times Special Correspondent in the Philippines Bai Linlin】On May 9, the Philippines ushered in national and local elections to elect a new president, vice president, members of Congress, local administrators, etc. About 67.5 million Filipino citizens who are eligible to vote will be elected Complete the poll in one day.
The highlight of the general election, the preliminary results of the presidential and vice-presidential elections, are expected to be released in the early morning of the 10th, and the official results will be announced by June 3 at the latest.
According to the latest poll results, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, is still leading and has a clear advantage.
The Philippine media believes that there is "almost no suspense" for this descendant of a political family and a former senator to be elected as the new Philippine president.
The electoral process has twists and turns
The Philippine constitution stipulates that the president serves a six-year term and cannot be re-elected.
The term of the current President Duterte will end on June 30 this year, and the new Philippine government will officially take office on the same day.
In the general election on May 9, a total of 10 candidates competed.
The electoral process in the Philippines has been full of twists and turns, and "political dramas" such as withdrawal, substitution, and "fighting in the same room" have been staged continuously.
In addition to Marcos and the current vice president of the Philippines, Leni Robredo, the popular candidates also include "boxing champion" Pacquiao, former movie star and Manila Mayor Domagoso, and former presidential spokesman Abela. , former Defense Secretary Gonzalez et al.
But to this day, the general election does not seem to be in suspense-according to the results of the presidential election polls at the end of April, the 65-year-old Marcos continued his previous lead, leading with 56% of the support, significantly ahead of his main rival Robredo.
Robredo is the presidential candidate closest to Marcos with just 23 percent.
But Marcos has said that Philippine politics "is possible even to the last minute."
There are many political variables in the Philippine elections. If Robredo wins the election, she will become the third female president in Philippine history after Mrs. Aquino and Arroyo.
considered friendly towards China
Marcos is generally regarded in the Philippines as having a "friendly attitude towards China".
The Manila Times said that avoiding military entanglements in the South China Sea and maintaining a non-confrontational state are the cornerstones of Marcos' China policy.
In January of this year, Marcos also said that Duterte's approach to contact with China is the only choice for the Philippines. China is the Philippines' most important trading partner, and its relationship with China affects the economic development of the Philippines.
"Philippine Star" columnist Li Tianrong told the "Global Times" reporter that within six years of Duterte's tenure, the relationship between the Philippines and China has entered a golden age, and Marcos is expected to inherit Duterte's political legacy towards China, especially The connection between the "Belt and Road" initiative and the "Build, Build, Build" plan "will benefit the Filipino people."
Li Tianrong believes that the current world is full of uncertainties, and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation between China and the Philippines at this moment will help maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific region, which is in the interests of all.
U.S.-Philippine relations are not optimistic
Although the Marcos family is inextricably linked with the U.S. government, Philippine media generally believe that "(connection with the United States) is a thing of the past."
Some experts commented on the 8th that the U.S. government betrayed the Marcos family several times, which caused little Marcos to be disheartened. Now he is a "nationalist", whoever can bring practical benefits to the Filipino people, he will approach whoever. .
If Marcos is elected, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States will likely remain the same.
The Philippine Rappler News Network commented on the 8th that although Marcos may win the general election, this does not mean that the Philippine society is "monolithic". On the contrary, the gap between him and his rival Robredo is gradually narrowing, and Luo Bredo and the "pro-American and anti-China" forces he represents are becoming more and more powerful in Philippine society.
"It is foreseeable that if the economy cannot improve, the Philippine society will inevitably lead to a tear in public opinion. This is a difficult problem that Marcos needs to face after taking office."