Aquino allies appear likely to achieve control of Senate
MANILA— Philippine voters appeared to have strengthened President Benigno Aquino III’s hand in advancing his political agenda, according to early unofficial election returns Tuesday that showed his political allies poised to take control of the Senate.
Aquino was not up for re-election in the vote Monday. He has three years remaining in his six-year term and is not allowed to run again. But the midterm election was seen as crucial for consolidating his power over the unwieldy Philippine legislature to advance his anticorruption and economic-growth program and to influence the choice of his successor.
The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and international organizations and ratings agencies have given credit to Aquino’s policies.
“This victory in the Senate means he will not be a lame-duck president,” said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in Manila. “He can use his popularity and control of the government to pursue his agenda and affect the 2016 presidential election.”
At stake in the election Monday were 12 of the 24 Senate seats, as well as all 229 seats in the House of Representatives. The election also decided 18,000 local political posts, including provincial governors.
With 69 percent of the vote counted, nine proadministration senatorial candidates were ahead. Their victory would increase the number of Aquino’s allies in the Senate from four to 13 and give them the power to choose the next Senate president.
Final Senate results were expected by late Wednesday.
Aquino’s political opponents have noted that although the economy has expanded, job growth has been flat and poverty levels have not improved. His critics also say corruption remains endemic, particularly low-level graft that most directly affects the poor.
Other notable results included the fiercely contested race for mayor of Manila, where former President Joseph Estrada ousted the incumbent, Alfredo S. Lim.
Imelda Marcos, the former first lady, appeared headed for reelection to the House of Representatives.