Allies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr looked set to win at least half of the available Senate seats in a midterm election on Monday, an unofficial tally showed, in a contest seen as a referendum on his leadership and a fierce proxy battle with his estranged vice president.

Here’s what to know about the crucial midterms and the rival dynasties at the heart of the Southeast Asian nation’s politics.

A Philippine midterm election may have leaned in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's favour but the stronger-than-expected showing for estranged vice president and bitter rival Sara Duterte may have given him a jolt,

Vice-President Duterte’s allies and independent opposition figures gain ground in midterms, dealing a blow to President Marcos Jr’s Senate dominance. Read more at straitstimes.com.

When 68 million Filipinos head to the polls on Monday, Sara Duterte's name will not be on the ballot. But the results of the election will have a large, if not direct, impact on her political future.

In this photo provided by the Presidential Communications Office, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., center, shows the indelible ink on his finger after casting his ballot at a polling station in Batac City,