The Philippines began voting on Monday in midterm elections that could decide the fate of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, whose feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. comes as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with both the global trade war and growing tensions with China.

In political rallies, Senate hearings and voter surveys ahead of Monday's midterm elections in the Philippines, China has been an overwhelming - and unusual - presence. The shadow of its giant maritime neighbour has loomed over the Philippines for years,

Even though he is detained in The Hague, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is among the candidates vying for some 18,000 national and local seats in Monday’s midterm elections