Philippines midterms to test Marcos popularity against Duterte

MANILA -- Tens of millions of Filipinos headed to the polls for midterm congressional elections on Monday against the backdrop of an escalating feud between the country's top political families, led by incumbent President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

While these elections, which take place at the midpoint between presidential elections, are not as hotly contested as the polls for the head of state, voters have plenty to contend with. Issues that have dominated the campaign include the political turmoil between the two clans, rising cost-of-living pressures and the shadow of the Trump administration's "reciprocal" tariffs whipping up global economic headwinds.