Elections
35 reports
Regional Gun Ban Marks Official Start of First Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections Period
Ahead of the September 2026 Bangsamoro elections, gun bans and security risks are active. Direct business risks remain low, but companies should maintain political neutrality, prohibit political events on premises, and avoid travel with candidates.
Preparations Commence Ahead of BARMM Parliamentary Elections in September
The Commission on Elections began ballot printing for the September 14, 2026, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections. To prevent fraud, no excess ballots will be printed and precincts are capped at 600 voters. Multiple regional political parties will compete.
House Approves Anti-Dynasty Bill on Third Reading
The House approved the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill on third reading, marking the furthest progress of such a measure at the national level. While supporters hail it as a landmark reform, critics argue its limited scope leaves loopholes that could allow political dynasties to persist.
House Approves Anti-Political Dynasty Bill on Second Reading, Critics Note Its Limitations
The passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill (HB 8389) on second reading marks a historic legislative step, but its narrow restriction to the second degree of consanguinity leaves significant legal loopholes, allowing entrenched networks to bypass restrictions via the party-list system.
ANALYSIS: Who Could Be the Other 2028 Presidential Candidates
The 2028 presidential landscape is forming following VP Sara Duterte’s declaration. Probable contenders include Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Bong Go, alongside DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Many other prominent figures currently deny plans to seek the presidency.
Vice President Duterte Announces Presidential Bid for 2028
Vice President Sara Duterte has announced her 2028 presidential bid, formally positioning herself as the primary opposition leader. She faces potential impeachment and complications regarding her father’s International Criminal Court case, which could impact her eligibility and influence.
Supreme Court Postpones Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections Over “Unconstitutional” Redistricting Law
The Supreme Court postponed the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections after nullifying regional districting laws. While stakeholders respect the decision, political friction regarding further delays introduces localized governance and security uncertainties.
New Legal Curveball Casts Uncertainty over Bangsamoro October Polls
The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Bangsamoro district reapportionment, pausing election preparations. Local enterprises should note that while the upcoming polls face legal uncertainty, regionwide election security measures and gun bans remain strictly in force.
Congress Elects its Committee Chairpersons for the 20th Congress
The Duterte power bloc captured 24 Senate committee chairperson positions, cementing its legislative influence. Enterprises should monitor this structural shift as committee leaderships and personal business interests shape policy directions and priority bills.
Updates on National Politics
The executive feud and legal challenges facing Vice President Sara Duterte have altered legislative dynamics and increased civil unrest risks. Enterprises must track the upcoming impeachment proceedings and changing political alliances to mitigate operational and stability risks.
The Duality of Man: Analyzing the Partylist Race of the 2025 Midterm Elections
The Commission on Elections proclaimed the midterm partylist winners, topped by Akbayan and Duterte Youth. Enterprises should monitor these shifting political alignments and underlying public dissatisfaction, which could alter legislative dynamics and policy stability.
Strong Showing for Pro-Duterte Candidates, Liberal Opposition Members in Midterm Elections
Midterm election returns show a competitive Senate split and key local leadership shifts. Enterprises must monitor how these new political alignments affect the legislative agenda and the pending vice presidential impeachment trial, which will shape long-term governance stability.
President Marcos Orders Probe into Alleged Chinese Influence in 2025 Elections
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into alleged Chinese electoral interference. Enterprises must prepare for heightened cybersecurity risks, sophisticated disinformation campaigns, and regulatory scrutiny over third party marketing vendors.
President Marcos Jr. Signs Law Deferring Bangsamoro Elections from May 12 to October 14 this Year
President Ferdinand Marcos Junior signed Republic Act No. 12123 postponing the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to October 2025. Enterprises should monitor unresolved issues like the exclusion of Sulu province and budget shortfalls that could impact regional security.
Former President Duterte and His ‘Jokes’: Kill Senators in Bomb Attack to Make Room for our Bets
Former President Rodrigo Duterte faces a criminal complaint after suggesting a bomb attack against lawmakers. While national officials face limited direct risk due to tight security, enterprises must monitor potential low-level localized violence from radicalized followers.
Congress Passes Law Postponing Bangsamoro Polls to October 2025; Law Now Up for President Marcos’ Approval
Congress ratified a bill postponing the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections from May to October 13. Regional officials support the 5-month delay to amend electoral laws, reapportion seats following the exclusion of Sulu province, and advance regional peace efforts.
Navigating Risks of Election-Related Violence in the 2025 Philippine Midterm Polls
Election-related violence is expected to increase in rural areas during the upcoming elections, primarily targeting candidates and journalists. However, these incidents will remain highly targeted and pose minimal safety and security risks to private business operations.
The 2025 Philippine Elections
PSA Intelligence looks into the 2025 national, local, and Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in the Philippines, discussing major electoral races, political violence, and related risks for organizations in the region.
Local Officials and Stakeholders Make Their Arguments as the Senate Begins Hearings on Postponing the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections
The Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region has prompted efforts to defer parliamentary elections. Postponement aims to resolve seat allocations and mitigate election violence, safeguarding the peace process essential for regional business stability.
United States of Donald Trump: Limited Impact on the Philippine Relationship
A second Donald Trump presidency is expected to preserve stable United States and Philippine security ties. Enterprises should prepare for potential trade tariffs, but the business process outsourcing sector faces minimal reshoring risk as bilateral defense relations remain strong.
U.S. 2024 Elections: What It Means for Trade and Defense with the Philippines
The 2024 US presidential election results will have minimal impact on United States and Philippine relations. Strategic commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty remain firm under a bipartisan consensus, while potential changes to global trade policy present manageable negotiation risks.
Recommended Reading: Meet the ‘Obese’ Political Dynasties of the Philippines
An investigative report maps entrenched political dynasties dominating the upcoming elections, linking family control to regional poverty and corruption risks. A new searchable database tracking these domains provides enterprises with vital intelligence for local governance assessments.
Is Another Extension Possible? Senate Files Measure as Bangsamoro Parliament Seeks to Postpone 2025 Parliamentary Polls
The Senate filed a bill to defer the inaugural Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to 2026 after a Supreme Court ruling excluded Sulu from the region. While postponement awaits legislative approval and presidential certification, election preparations remain underway.
Family is Everything in the 2025 Local Elections
Fierce local elections in Metro Manila, Davao City, and the Bangsamoro region highlight shifting dynastic power and deep political fractures. These contests signal localized governance unpredictability and elevated regulatory risks for commercial enterprises in the Philippines.
The Anti-Climactic Pro-Duterte Senate Slate
A weak pro-Duterte slate reflects a consolidation of political power by the Marcos administration. While an administration-dominated legislature stabilizes near-term policy, it highlights persistent long-term governance and political stability risks for commercial enterprises.
Ruling Political Party Announces Alliance with MILF Party for 2025 Midterm and Bangsamoro Parliament Elections
The Marcos-backed PFP formalized a strategic alliance with the UBJP for the regional elections. While aimed at securing long-term peace continuity, this political consolidation provokes sharp backlash from rival clans, elevating short-term security and political stability risks for enterprises.
LIST: Senatorial Candidates for the 2025 National Elections
The 2025 Senate race features a fragmented opposition split between traditional and pro-Duterte factions. A projected pro-administration majority offers enterprises political stability, though senators will likely maintain their traditional legislative independence.
Traditional is the Name of the Game: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Announces Administration’s 2025 Senatorial Slate
President Marcos endorsed a senatorial slate dominated by established politicians with strong personal machineries for the 2025 midterm elections. This reliance on traditional elite networks stabilizes near-term policy execution but highlights persistent governance risks for commercial enterprises.
Bangsamoro Leaders Divided Over Sulu Exclusion; COMELEC Commits to Holding 2025 Parliamentary Elections
The Supreme Court has excluded Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. While regional parliamentary elections will proceed, this landmark decision alters local governance and introduces political and regulatory risks for enterprises in the region.
Supreme Court Declares Sulu Not Part of Bangsamoro Region
The Supreme Court has ruled that Sulu is excluded from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This landmark decision alters regional parliamentary elections and shifts political dynamics, introducing governance and security risks for commercial enterprises in the region.
Administration-backed Parties Gather in Malacañang To ‘Strategize’ For 2025 Midterm Elections
The administration coalition Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas convened to strategize its senatorial slate, excluding Duterte allies. This political consolidation highlights deepening polarization, signaling governance and stability risks for commercial enterprises.
2025 Midterm Elections: Representative Erwin Tulfo Is An Early Senate Favorite, Makabayan To Field Its Own Opposition Slate
Midterm election surveys show traditional political figures dominating voter preference, while a progressive coalition fields an opposition slate. This dominance of established elites indicates near-term regulatory continuity but preserves long-term governance risks for commercial enterprises.
LIST: Preliminary Senatorial Bets for 2025 Elections
Potential senatorial candidates for the 2025 elections are emerging across four political camps. This maneuvering highlights shifting alliances and impending legislative volatility, elevating long-term policy uncertainty and regulatory risks for commercial enterprises.
Senate Probe on Tarlac POGO Operations Reveal ‘Dubious, Questionable’ Background of Bamban Mayor Alice Leal Guo
Bamban Mayor Alice Guo faced intense Senate scrutiny over her alleged connections to raided offshore gaming operations and an unverified background. This high-profile probe highlights intensifying regulatory, reputational, and compliance risks for enterprises operating in the Philippines.
Three BARMM Governors File Petition Against ‘Unconstitutional and Invalid’ Bangsamoro Governance Code
Three Mindanao governors petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, contesting the chief minister's power over local governments and anti-dynasty provisions. This legal clash increases regional political volatility ahead of the 2025 elections.