MARCH 11 arrest a polarizing event

WITH less than a month before the May 12 midterm elections, the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte has upended the senatorial race, triggering a dramatic shift in public sentiment and deepening political fault lines across the country. Once seen as relatively stable, the Senate race has turned volatile almost overnight. The spectacle of Duterte's arrest — now the subject of daily headlines and heated online discourse — has thrust his legacy back into the national spotlight, setting off a wave of sympathy, outrage, and political recalculations. Prof. Eric De Torres, chairman of the University of the East Political Science department, said the incident has "reshaped narratives and voter behavior," breathing new life into candidates closely allied with the former president. "There's really a shift in momentum," De Torres said. "The arrest of Duterte has become the central issue of this campaign season. It's not just about legalities — it's about identity, loyalty, and unresolved grievances." Sens. Ronald Dela Rosa and Bong Go, both longtime Duterte allies and defenders of his war on drugs, have seen a noticeable bump in recent surveys. Political analysts attribute their resurgence to a wave of public sympathy, especially as uncertainty looms over potential legal actions from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Senator Bong Go. PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO While Duterte's arrest has galvanized his base, it has also intensified rifts within the ruling coalition. Tensions between Duterte loyalists and allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are spilling into the open, complicating campaign strategies and sowing confusion among voters. Even Sen. Imee Marcos, who has vocally defended Duterte and spearheaded Senate hearings questioning the legitimacy of his arrest, has not been spared from the backlash. "Many see her moves as opportunistic rather than sincere," De Torres said. "In a polarized climate like this, authenticity matters more than ever." Other administration-aligned candidates — such as Erwin Tulfo, Vicente Sotto III, and Bong Revilla — are also suffering from declining poll numbers, as the once-unified coalition struggles to maintain coherence. With Luzon largely dominated by the Marcos bloc, analysts believe the real battleground lies further south. "Visayas and Mindanao will decide this election," said De Torres. "These are Duterte's heartlands. Whoever wins the narrative war there will likely control the Senate." Campaign teams are now racing to recalibrate their messaging, knowing that a strong showing in these regions could tilt the national balance of power. Amid the political noise, another trend is emerging: the rise of "bullet voting," where voters choose only a few preferred candidates instead of filling all 12 slots. "It's a reflection of how personality still trumps the party in our system," said De Torres. "People vote based on emotion and media exposure, not policy platforms or ideology." As election day nears, De Torres emphasized the need for voters to move beyond personality politics. "Let us not vote merely out of loyalty or emotion," he urged. "We must demand clear platforms and genuine commitment to public service. That's the only path to real change."