Nearly 62 million Filipinos have registered to choose among 43,500 candidates vying for about 18,000 congressional and local posts.
The most crucial race is for 12 seats in the 24-member Senate. The poll is expected to prove the credibility of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. It's also a test for potential presidential candidates who will become President Duterte's successor in the 2022 election. A recent independent national surveys indicates that President Rodrigo Duterte has won a Senate majority, would give him legislative backing for his anti-crime proposals and his plan to rewrite the constitution. Results of the Senate vote will be announced on May 17.
