Philippine May 12, 2025 elections: By the numbers

Elections currently in progress in one of Asia's most rambunctious democracies

Last updated: May 12, 2025 | 08:19

Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

ROLL CALL FOR DEMOCRACY: A Filipino voter scans the voters’ list outside a polling booth on Monday, May 12, 2025, as the midterm election buzz kicks off nationwide. With 94,000 precincts on the map and 11,000 extra vote-counting machines on standby, the Philippines is all set for another epic day of people power.

Jay Hilotin | Gulf News

Manila: Polling booths opened early on Monday (May 12, 2025) for the mid-term elections in the Philippines, a democracy of more than 114 million inhabitants.

National and local elections are held every three years, while the presidential vote is held every six years.

The Philippines has a bicameral Parliament -- Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

The Philippines has had five Constitutions since it was founded in 1989, of which 12 elections had been held under the 1987 Constitution.

On Monday, the polls have been generally peaceful so far, with sporadic reports of vote-buying, especially in provinces where poverty is more pronounced, matched by poor infrastructure and fewer opportunities.

Following are the key numbers to know about the 2025 vote:

Overview

Date: May 12, 2025
Voting hours: Polling precincts are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Early voting: Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women were allowed to vote as early as 5:00 AM.

68 M

Number of Filipinos expected to vote in this election (including more than 1 million overseas voters), from 67 million in 2022

1.967 M

Number of registered Filipino voters abroad (2022), as per Comelec.

18,000

Number of positions contested [national and local seats]

Number of Senatorial slots open (out of 24 seats)

254

District Representatives

Party-list representatives

104

Number of European Union (EU) election observers for Monday's vote

17,942

Local government positions open (Governors, Mayors, Councilors, etc.)

Election Budget and Logistics

₱35.5 B ($641 M)

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) budget for the 2025 elections.

₱2,000

Increase in the honoraria (compensation) for teachers and other poll workers serving in the elections, as per the Department of Budget and Management.

11,000

Extra voting machines available as backup

spare machines allocated per town as contingency units

backup voting machines assigned to each municipality

backup voting machines assigned to each province

Voting tech

This election marks the first use of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) from South Korea’s Miru Systems (replacing the previously used Smartmatic machines).

Key contests

Marcos-Duterte rivalry

The elections are seen as a proxy battle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, whose political alliance has deteriorated.

Rodrigo Duterte's candidacy

Former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity, is running for mayor of Davao City. Despite his detention, he remains a popular figure in his hometown.

Senate’s role

The composition of the Senate is crucial, as it will determine the outcome of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impending impeachment trial. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction.

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