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A new dawn in the Philippine political landscape
Manila Bulletin
|May 20, 2025
The dust has barely settled from the 2025 midterm elections, yet the political landscape already feels dramatically altered. In a stunning twist, voters defied expectations, leaving analysts, candidates, and even the electorate itself stunned.
What happened? What was expected to be a routine midterm contest instead erupted into a dramatic display of voter power and unpredictability, with an almost record-breaking turnout, a tidal wave of Gen Z and Millennial participation, and results that defied nearly every pre-election survey. The outcome disrupted traditional power structures, demonstrating that change was not only possible but also inevitable. The nation now finds itself at a crossroads, reminded once again that in Philippine politics, the only constant is surprise.
Most pre-election surveys painted a picture of dominance by administration-backed candidates, but the actual vote count told a different story. The influence of the Iglesia ni Cristo endorsements once again proved to be a significant factor in the results, and the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte further complicated the stakes.
One of the most defining aspects of the 2025 elections was the unprecedented voter turnout. Almost 82 percent of the nearly 69 million registered voters showed up at the polling stations. One of the most defining aspects of the 2025 elections was the unprecedented voter turnout. Analysts, including the newly minted ones, attribute this surge to heightened political awareness, aggressive voter education campaigns, and the public’s desire to influence the country’s direction amid concerns about economic and governance issues.
This story is from the May 20, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
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