The political framework of the Philippines

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Ferdinand "Bongbong" MARCOS, Jr (since 30 June 2022)
Vice-President: Sara DUTERTE-Carpio (since 30 June 2022)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: May 2028
Senate: May 2025
House of Representatives: May 2025

Current Political Context

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the former dictator who ruled the Philippines for two decades starting in 1965, has served as President since May 2022. Running alongside Sara Duterte for Vice President, he secured a decisive victory with 59% of the vote—the highest since his father’s era. His win brought the federalist Partido Federal ng Pilipinas to power for the first time, with his allies now dominating both chambers of Congress. However, throughout 2024, tensions between Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. escalated. After their alliance broke down over major disagreements, such as their divergent views on U.S.-China relations and Marcos' opposition to the brutal anti-drug campaign started by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Duterte resigned in June from her positions as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body (although she kept her vice presidential position). In November, Sara Duterte stated that she had planned for Marcos, his wife, and his cousin, the Speaker of the House, to be assassinated if she were attacked, causing further tensions. In a public response, Marcos said he was prepared to fight back.
Concerning foreign policy, the Philippines has been at the centre of regional power disputes ever since China made its claim to the nine-dash line in 2009. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned toward the United States, siding with Washington to oppose Beijing, while Rodrigo Duterte sought stronger ties with China. Trilateral collaboration between Japan and the Philippines was created under Joe Biden, but as the Trump administration assumes office, uncertainty lurks. Fears of U.S. withdrawal have subsided with the nomination of Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Rubio, a vocal opponent of China, is anticipated to strengthen defence relations between the U.S. and the Philippines, which he considers essential for protecting Philippine territory and assisting in its economic recovery.

Main Political Parties

The Philippines has a multi-party system and political parties usually have diverse ideologies. As a result, parties generally work together to form coalition governments. The largest political parties in the country are:

- Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD): centre to centre-right, conservative political party with religious overtones
- Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI): big tent, a coalition of representatives of political organizations with party-list representation in the House of Representatives
- Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP): centre-left, democratic socialism, populism
- National Unity Party (NUP): centre-right, Christian democracy
- Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC): centre-right, social and liberal conservatism
- Nationalist Party (NP): centre-right, conservatism, populism. Oldest party in the country and historically dominated the political arena
- Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP): populist, federalist
- Liberal Party (LP): centre to centre-left, liberal, endeavours to tackle poverty and promote economic growth.

Executive Power

The President is both the Chief of State and head of Government and is directly elected by a popular vote to serve a single six-year term without the possibility of re-election, even if non-consecutive. He or she presides over and appoints the Cabinet members, and is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The President holds the executive powers which include the implementation of the law in the country and running the day-to-day affairs. If the President resigns, is impeached or dies, the Vice President assumes the presidency.

Legislative Power

The legislature in the Philippines is bicameral. The parliament, called the Congress, consists of: the Senate (the upper house) having 24 seats with its members elected mostly by popular vote to serve (renewable) six-year terms, and the House of Representatives (the lower house) having 316 seats, with its members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms - with a limit of three consecutive terms. The President has the power to veto acts of the legislature, and in turn a supermajority (generally two-thirds) of legislators may act to override his veto. The people of the Philippines enjoy considerable political rights.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

138/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Partly Free

Political Freedom:

3/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House