Mid-term polls a referendum on Marcos-Duterte feud

Millions of Filipinos are heading to the polls for a mid-term election that is largely seen as a referendum on the intensifying feud between President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The race will decide over 18,000 posts, including seats in the House of Representatives and various local government positions.

The outcome of the Senate race is particularly significant as the 12 senators elected on Monday will form half of the jury for a Duterte impeachment trial scheduled for July.

This trial could result in Duterte's permanent disqualification from public office.

The conflict between Duterte and Marcos escalated in February when she was impeached by the House of Representatives on allegations of "high crimes," including corruption and an assassination plot against the president.

Shortly after her impeachment, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges related to his anti-drug campaign.