Local media in the Philippines say candidates allied with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are certain to have won more Senate seats than those backed by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Eventual results could weaken president’s influence in Congress, undermine efforts to impeach his deputy and reshape 2028 presidential race.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at The Hague over his drug war that killed thousands, has been elected mayor of his family's stronghold, according to early, partial results.

MANILA: Voters dealt President Ferdinand Marcos Jr a stinging blow in the Philippines' midterm elections that weakened his grip on the Senate, while boosting Vice-President Sara Duterte's allies just weeks before an impeachment trial against his deputy.

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.

As impeached Vice President Sara Duterte and her onetime ally President Ferdinand Marcos shore up support for their candidates in the Philippine mid-term vote on May 12, social media posts shared a video in April falsely claiming the crowd shouted Marcos's name during her campaign speech in Manila.