Amid ASEAN challenges, Philippine democracy remains resilient after years of authoritarianism. Despite corruption issues and political tensions, it shows vitality through public protests and independent governance. However, concerns persist about the future with potential return of dictators.
The Philippines survived the challenging years under former President Rodrigo Duterte, who exhibited authoritarian tendencies. In the 2022 elections, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won with 31.6 million votes, or 58% of the total, while Leni Robredo received 15 million. The Marcos-Sara Duterte alliance fractured due to allegations of fund misuse and Rodrigo Duterte's arrest at the International Criminal Court.
In the May 2025 midterm elections, the administration secured only six of the 12 Senate seats, signaling a weakened presidency. During his July 2025 State of the Nation Address, Marcos exposed top contractors in flood control projects, leading to investigations and protests against corruption that siphoned billions of pesos from initiatives.
Citizens rallied against budget manipulation, which resulted in substandard infrastructure and high disaster death tolls. While this has hindered economic growth, the Philippines is still projected to be among ASEAN's fastest-growing economies in 2025. However, fears linger over a potential Duterte return in 2028, which could repeat historical mistakes.
In the broader ASEAN context, the Philippines demonstrates resilience compared to challenges in Cambodia and Indonesia, where political control and historical revisions threaten democracy.
