14-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines election hopeful's LGBTQ woes spark debate on voter focus
A senatorial candidate touted as an opposition bet in
the Philippines ' coming midterm elections has faced widespread criticism among progressive voters for her conservative stance on same-sex marriage.
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The controversy surrounding Heidi Mendoza, a former
United Nations undersecretary general and ex-state auditor, has sparked discourse on the issues that voters should prioritise to increase headway for independent candidates.
Mendoza is not among the top 12 candidates in pre-election surveys, yet she gained traction among progressive voters for her platform on anti-corruption and as a viable opposition choice in tipping the balance in the country's legislative branch.
Out of 24 senators, only two belong to its minority bloc, including opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, who has led Senate inquiries on crimes linked to
Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) . There will be 12 Senate seats up for grabs in the coming polls.
The Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index, with named the country as among the region's 'significant decliners' in 2021 and 2022.
Heidi Mendoza pictured with then-UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon (right) in 2015, when she was sworn in as the United Nations' undersecretary general for internal oversight services. Photo: United Nations
