• Former President Rodrigo Duterte aims for Davao mayoral seat while detained in The Hague.
• More than 68 million voters registered for significant national and local elections.
• Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial crucial for her political future.
• Electoral outcomes may set the stage for the Duterte family's ongoing political influence.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained in The Hague, is among the candidates in the Philippines' midterm elections, vying for an array of national and local positions. Analysts note that these elections are pivotal for the Duterte family's political future and power dynamics within the Philippines, as the family seeks to maintain its grip over political authority despite Duterte's legal troubles. He has been in custody of the International Criminal Court since March, awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to his presidency's war on drugs that has resulted in thousands of deaths, and is expected to win in his bid for the Davao mayoral post, a position he famously occupied for over two decades before becoming president, according to SCMP, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

More than 68 million Filipinos are registered to vote for half of the Senate, all members of the House of Representatives, and various other local positions during the elections, highlighting the significance of this political event. Under Philippine law, candidates facing criminal charges can still run for office unless convicted. This stipulation allows Duterte to pursue his candidacy while detained, raising questions about how he would fulfill mayoral duties from abroad, as highlighted by sources including SCMP, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

The election is particularly critical for Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who is under threat of impeachment over serious allegations, including plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and misuse of intelligence funds. She has denied these accusations, asserting they are politically motivated. Should she be convicted, it would disqualify her from holding public office, potentially ending the traditional political dominance of the Duterte family, as indicated by political analysts. Maria Ela Atienza, a political science professor, stated that the outcomes of the elections will significantly influence political alignments for future contests, particularly the 2028 presidential elections, according to SCMP, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.

In addition to the Duterte family, other candidates include the televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who also faces serious charges and is running for a Senate seat. His candidacy reflects the intertwining of legal troubles and politics in this significant electoral period, as echoed by the same sources: SCMP, Los Angeles Times, and NPR.