MANILA, Philippines — It is final: President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies took most of the 12 Senate seats available during last week's midterm election, strengthening his clout in Congress and signaling strong public support for the firebrand leader nearly three years into his presidency.
The final and official tally of votes showed nine Duterte-backed candidates won a seat at the upper house.
READ: Opposition slate Otso Diretso suffers a resounding loss | Bam Aquino, Otso Diretso's last hope for 18th Congress, fails to secure Senate seat
Below is the list of Senate bets who were proclaimed winners of the elections.
Members of the Philippine Senate, who serve six-year terms, had been known for being more independent-minded than their colleagues at the House of Representatives.
Duterte has put forward plans to revamp the country’s tax system to help fund his ambitious infrastructure program, and rewrite the Constitution to clear the way to a switch to a federal form of government, among others.
Duterte’s policy agenda, however, would need lawmaker’s backing, a difficult-to-meet requirement that had crippled his predecessors’ attempts to push for some of their key reforms.
Analysts have said the results of the midterm polls could bode well for policy continuity during Duterte’s remaining term, but could also weigh on the system of checks and balances in the country.
“The election was widely seen as a test of Duterte's popularity and as an opportunity for him to consolidate power by gaining control of the Senate, which had proved an obstacle to his policy plans in the first three years of his presidency,” analysts at Fitch Solutions said in a commentary.
“The strong show of support for Duterte will both give him the confidence and ability to push ahead with his reform programme,” they added. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
RELATED STORIES:
Cynthia Villar is most voted senatorial candidate in official tally
Dela Rosa, architect of Duterte’s deadly drug war, secures a Senate seat
Sonny Angara, Senate’s tax man, secures second term
Lito Lapid gets another Senate term, partly thanks to ‘Ang Probinsyano’
Hurdling scholastic controversy, Imee returns Marcos family's grip on Senate
Second time's a charm: Francis Tolentino makes it to Senate
Koko Pimentel clinches Senate seat despite 'ditching' by Hugpong
Revilla makes successful political comeback after plunder acquittal
Nice finish as Nancy Binay takes 12th Senate seat