Latest news with #IlocosNorte
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippine midterm elections: casino-linked cash seizure and poll-day disruptions raise alarms
The midterm elections in the Philippines proceeded without major disruption in most areas on Monday, according to officials and observers, but the seizure of nearly half a billion pesos in undeclared cash from foreign nationals, along with isolated incidents of deadly violence and technical glitches, has raised concerns over the integrity of the vote. Advertisement One of the most startling developments occurred late Friday, when six Chinese nationals, three foreigners and two Filipinos were intercepted at Cebu International Airport while attempting to board a private jet to Manila. Authorities discovered 441.9 million pesos (US$7.6 million) in local currency, along with US$168,730 and HK$1,000 in undeclared cash – raising suspicions of illicit election-related activity. Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said investigators were pursuing multiple leads, including the possibility that the money was intended to influence the polls. 'Is this money part of a plan to influence or at least interfere in our elections?' she said at a Sunday briefing. 'Maybe these foreign nationals might be a conduit to be used to interfere or at least influence our elections.' Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, centre right, and his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, centre left, prepare to cast their votes at a polling station in Batac City, Ilocos Norte province, on Monday. Photo: AP Police officials said the foreign nationals – including a Malaysian, an Indonesian and a Kazakh citizen – had declared only three of seven hard-shell suitcases during check-in. X-ray scans and inspection revealed the undeclared currency.
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines votes in midterm polls that could seal Sara Duterte's fate
Voting in the Philippines got under way on Monday in midterm elections that could decide the fate of impeached Vice-President Sara Duterte, whose feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr comes as the nation grapples with both the global trade war and growing tensions with China. Advertisement More than 18,000 national and local positions are up for grabs, though the spotlight is on the Senate race, where the 12 winners – half of the 24-seat chamber – will be jurors in Duterte's July impeachment trial . Markets are closed for the voting holiday and alcohol sales are temporarily banned. The trial's outcome may reshape the political landscape at a time when the strategically located archipelago is at the frontline of US efforts to deter China's assertiveness. Duterte, whose father took a pro-Beijing stance in his 2016-2022 presidency, denies accusations of plotting to assassinate Marcos Jnr and misusing public funds. 'These midterm elections can be interpreted to some degree as a proxy battle between Duterte and Marcos as the two families vie for control at the top of Philippine politics,' said Dean Dulay, assistant professor of political science at Singapore Management University. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr shows the indelible ink on his finger after casting his ballot at a polling station in Batac City, Ilocos Norte province, on Monday. Photo: Presidential Communications Office via AP Marcos Jnr was among early voters, casting his ballot in Ilocos Norte province north of the capital, according to a live video from ABS-CBN. He gave a thumbs-up sign after voting with his mother, Imelda, the widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
