• Supporters of Philippines presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, flash the victory sign at a rally in Paranaque City, suburban Manila. AFP
    Supporters of Philippines presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, flash the victory sign at a rally in Paranaque City, suburban Manila. AFP
  • Supporters of Philippine Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo attend a campaign rally in Makati, in suburb Manila. AFP
    Supporters of Philippine Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo attend a campaign rally in Makati, in suburb Manila. AFP
  • Supporters of Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robredo attend a campaign rally in Makati, in suburb Manila. AFP
    Supporters of Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robredo attend a campaign rally in Makati, in suburb Manila. AFP
  • Children take part in a campaign rally for Leni Robredo. Reuters
    Children take part in a campaign rally for Leni Robredo. Reuters
  • Supporters of Leni Robredo distribute flowers to women at a campaign rally. Reuters
    Supporters of Leni Robredo distribute flowers to women at a campaign rally. Reuters
  • Supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr wave national flags in Paranaque City, suburban Manila. AFP
    Supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr wave national flags in Paranaque City, suburban Manila. AFP
  • Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and a vice presidential candidate, display a banner with their portraits during a campaign rally in Paranaque City. AFP
    Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and a vice presidential candidate, display a banner with their portraits during a campaign rally in Paranaque City. AFP
  • Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr and Ms Duterte wave flags during a campaign rally. AFP
    Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr and Ms Duterte wave flags during a campaign rally. AFP

Philippines elections 2022: all you need to know


Tommy Hilton
  • English
  • Arabic

The Philippines will elect a new president on Monday, May 9, and voting will also be held for thousands of other positions.

President Rodrigo Duterte is unable to stand for re-election under the country’s rules, which limit presidents to a single six-year term.

More than 67 million Filipinos are eligible to vote, including about 1.7 million who live overseas, in the Middle East and elsewhere.

As polling day begins, here is all you need to know.

When are the Philippines elections?

Polling stations will be open from 6am to 7pm local time on Monday, May 9.

Voting for registered overseas Filipinos opened on April 10.

When will we know the result?

Vote counting starts immediately after polls close.

A live, unofficial count could give an indication of who has won the presidency within hours, Reuters said.

The election commission is aiming to announce the complete results by the end of May.

The winner must be inaugurated as president within seven weeks of results being announced.

Who is the favourite to become the next president?

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, also known as “Bongbong”, is currently leading the race.

Polls indicate Mr Marcos Jr is on track to secure an absolute majority with more than half the vote.

He is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled from 1965 to 1986. Marcos Sr ruled under martial law from 1972 to 1981 and was widely considered a dictator.

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On Monday, Mr Marcos Jr cast his vote with his mother, Imelda Marcos, who became notorious during and after the Marcos era for misusing billions of dollars' worth of public funds.

She was convicted by a court in the Philippines in 1993 and spent some time in exile in Hawaii with her family. In 1990, the Supreme Court of Switzerland ruled that funds deposited in Swiss bank accounts by Ms Marcos were of “criminal provenance.”

But this controversial history of the Marcos clan has not tarnished Mr Marcos Jr's campaign.

He is running on a platform of “unity” and has promised more jobs and greater security, though rights groups have voiced fears he could rule “without constraint”.

He is also allied to Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of the departing president. She is running for vice president.

Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr greets the crowd during a campaign rally in Quezon City, Philippines, in April. AP
Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr greets the crowd during a campaign rally in Quezon City, Philippines, in April. AP

Who are Marcos Jr’s closest rivals?

Mr Marcos Jr’s closest challenger in the polls is Leni Robredo, the departing vice president.

Ms Robredo, who defeated Mr Marcos Jr in the 2016 vice presidential race, has been a fierce critic of both him and Mr Duterte.

Her campaign has promised transparency and economic reforms, and has been characterised by huge rallies of supporters dressed in pink, the chosen colour of her “pink revolution”.

Recent polling put her 33 percentage points behind Mr Marcos Jr.

Other challengers include the Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, and the international boxing star Manny Pacquiao, though both are trailing Mr Marcos Jr and Ms Robredo in the polls.

  • A video showing thousands of supporters filling an entire avenue and singing Ariana Grande's song 'Break Free' at presidential hopeful Leni Robredo's rally in Pasig City in the Philippines has gone viral. Getty Images
    A video showing thousands of supporters filling an entire avenue and singing Ariana Grande's song 'Break Free' at presidential hopeful Leni Robredo's rally in Pasig City in the Philippines has gone viral. Getty Images
  • Campaigning for the presidential election in the Philippines began last month, ahead of the May 9 polls, with the country's Vice President, Robredo, set for a showdown with Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr, son of the Philippines' former dictator. Getty Images
    Campaigning for the presidential election in the Philippines began last month, ahead of the May 9 polls, with the country's Vice President, Robredo, set for a showdown with Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr, son of the Philippines' former dictator. Getty Images
  • Supporters cheer for Vice President Leni Robredo at the rally. Getty Images
    Supporters cheer for Vice President Leni Robredo at the rally. Getty Images
  • Voter polls that show Marcos Jr holding a double-digit lead are being disapproved by supporters of Robredo, spawning daily rallies as they hold on to her promise of good governance and a government free from corruption. Getty Images
    Voter polls that show Marcos Jr holding a double-digit lead are being disapproved by supporters of Robredo, spawning daily rallies as they hold on to her promise of good governance and a government free from corruption. Getty Images
  • Robredo, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs, joined the race for president in October last year, promising to usher in a government that cares for the people, not personal interests. Getty Images
    Robredo, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs, joined the race for president in October last year, promising to usher in a government that cares for the people, not personal interests. Getty Images
  • Robredo narrowly defeated Ferdinand Marcos Jr in the 2016 vice presidential race. Getty Images
    Robredo narrowly defeated Ferdinand Marcos Jr in the 2016 vice presidential race. Getty Images
  • Robredo was accompanied at the event, dubbed PasigLaban, by her vice presidential candidate Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Getty Images
    Robredo was accompanied at the event, dubbed PasigLaban, by her vice presidential candidate Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Getty Images
  • Sunday's rally was an impressive show of strength for the lawyer and social activist, with the Pasig City police estimating that a crowd of 137,000 were in attendance, according to the Philippines' 'Daily Guardian'. Getty Images
    Sunday's rally was an impressive show of strength for the lawyer and social activist, with the Pasig City police estimating that a crowd of 137,000 were in attendance, according to the Philippines' 'Daily Guardian'. Getty Images
  • Ariana Grande shared videos on her Instagram stories, which showed Emerald Avenue in Pasig City, east of Metro Manila in the Philippines, filled with a sea of pink, the official colour of 2022 presidential hopeful Leni Robredo. Getty Images
    Ariana Grande shared videos on her Instagram stories, which showed Emerald Avenue in Pasig City, east of Metro Manila in the Philippines, filled with a sea of pink, the official colour of 2022 presidential hopeful Leni Robredo. Getty Images
  • Vice President Leni Robredo meeting her supporters. Getty Images
    Vice President Leni Robredo meeting her supporters. Getty Images
  • Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo's rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr's namesake father was overthrown in a 1986 army-backed uprising. Reuters
    Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo's rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr's namesake father was overthrown in a 1986 army-backed uprising. Reuters
  • Dancers performing a routine at the rally. EPA
    Dancers performing a routine at the rally. EPA
  • Supporters of Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo watch from a building window. EPA
    Supporters of Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo watch from a building window. EPA
  • Philippine presidential hopeful Leni Robredo is campaigning with senator Kiko Pangilinan as her running mate. EPA
    Philippine presidential hopeful Leni Robredo is campaigning with senator Kiko Pangilinan as her running mate. EPA
  • Leni Robredo speaking to supporters at the event. EPA
    Leni Robredo speaking to supporters at the event. EPA

Who are the other candidates?

While ten candidates filed to compete for president, the race has come down to a few main contenders — high profile figures such as Manny Pacquiao, a former boxer, are unlikely to make significant headway, while another prominent figure, Senator Ping Lacson — who has made several runs for the president role in the past, are trailing far behind.

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Who is running for vice president?

Unlike in the US, the Philippines elects vice presidents separately, though the vote is held on the same day.

Sara Duterte-Caprio is the current front-runner for the vice presidency. She is the daughter of the departing president and allied with Mr Marcos Jr.

Her main challengers are Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Leni Robredo’s running mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan.

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According to the country's 1987 constitution, the vice president is “mandated to assume the presidency in case of the death, disability, or resignation of the incumbent president," although the vice president can also take the role of a cabinet minister.

Vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Caprio waves to supporters during the first day of campaigning in Bulacan province, in February. Reuters
Vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Caprio waves to supporters during the first day of campaigning in Bulacan province, in February. Reuters

Are political parties important?

Political parties are generally considered less important than personal loyalties in the Philippines.

Most candidates gain their support from personal appeal rather than a party base, and it is common for members of parliament to ally with whoever becomes president.

Can Filipinos overseas vote and how significant is their vote?

The Philippines has a large diaspora population across the world. There were 2.5 million Filipinos registered as living abroad in 2019, figures compiled by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas show.

These Filipino citizens are eligible to vote from their host countries.

About 1.7 million overseas Filipinos are registered to vote in 2022 out of the country's 67 million voters.

The country with the most registered voters is the UAE, with 290,182, followed by Saudi Arabia and the US.

More women than men are registered to vote overseas.

With inputs from Pulse Asia.

Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
  • Brentford v Arsenal
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  • Chelsea v Crystal Palace
  • Everton v Southampton
  • Leicester City v Wolves
  • Manchester United v Leeds United
  • Newcastle United v West Ham United
  • Norwich City v Liverpool
  • Tottenham v Manchester City
  • Watford v Aston Villa
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
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'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The bio

Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape

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Updated: May 11, 2022, 8:04 AM