If you were around any Philippine city in the middle of May last year, you likely couldn't miss the noise. The jingles. The posters. The endless social media debates. Now that we’re in early 2026, the dust has finally settled, but people are still asking: when is midterm election in philippines exactly, and why did it feel so different this time?
Honestly, the "when" is the easy part. The 2025 Philippine midterm elections took place on Monday, May 12, 2025.
It’s called a "midterm" because it hits right at the three-year mark of a President's six-year term. For President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., this was the ultimate litmus test. Think of it as a national performance review where the bosses—meaning the voters—decide if the current direction is working or if it's time to pivot.
Why the 2025 Date Was Such a Big Deal
Every three years, the country goes through this cycle, but 2025 felt heavier. Maybe it was the shifting alliances. Or maybe it was just the sheer volume of seats up for grabs. We weren't just picking 12 senators; we were filling over 18,000 positions across the archipelago. From the halls of the Senate down to the smallest municipal council, the entire map was essentially rewritten on May 12.
The stakes were high for a few reasons:
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- The Senate Balance: Half of the 24-seat Senate was contested. Since the Senate often acts as a check on the Executive branch, the results determined how easily the administration could pass its legislative agenda for the next three years.
- The House of Representatives: All 317 seats were on the ballot.
- Local Power: Governors, mayors, and provincial board members were all elected. These are the people who actually run your day-to-day life.
The Timeline Most People Forgot
While everyone remembers the actual voting day, the process started way back. Remember the registration lines? Voter registration actually wrapped up on September 30, 2024. If you missed that window, you were basically a spectator when May 12 rolled around.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) followed a strict calendar that looked something like this:
- Filing of Candidacy: October 1–8, 2024. This is when the "circus" usually starts.
- National Campaign Period: This kicked off on February 11, 2025, lasting 90 days.
- Local Campaign Period: A shorter 45-day sprint starting March 28, 2025.
- Election Day: The main event on May 12, 2025.
What’s interesting is that the term for these new winners officially began at noon on June 30, 2025. For the winning senators, they’ve got a long road ahead—their term doesn't end until June 30, 2031. Local officials and House members have a shorter stint, ending in 2028.
Surprising Shifts in the 2025 Results
The outcome was sorta a mixed bag, depending on who you ask. The "Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas"—the administration's powerhouse coalition—managed to snag a significant chunk of the Senate seats.
But it wasn't a total sweep.
We saw some familiar faces returning to the Senate, like Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, who pulled off surprising numbers despite what early polls suggested. It showed that the "opposition" isn't exactly a monolith and can still rally when the timing is right. Meanwhile, the Duterte-backed "DuterTen" candidates, including Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa, maintained a solid foothold.
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Digital Voting: The New Frontier
One of the coolest (and slightly nerve-wracking) things about the 2025 cycle was the push for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for overseas Filipinos. If you have cousins in Dubai or a sister in New Jersey, they might have voted from their phones or laptops for the first time.
COMELEC moved away from the old mail-in ballots in many regions to try and boost turnout. It worked—overseas participation numbers were notably higher than in previous midterms.
What Most People Get Wrong About Midterms
A lot of folks think the midterm is just a "minor" election compared to the Presidential one. That’s a mistake. In the Philippines, the midterm determines the "succession" narrative. The people who won in 2025 are the ones who will be the frontrunners for the 2028 Presidential race.
Basically, the 2025 election was the unofficial start of the 2028 campaign.
Also, people often forget about the Bangsamoro Parliament. Originally, the first regular election for the Bangsamoro was supposed to happen alongside the May 12 midterms. However, it got pushed back to October 13, 2025. That was a huge deal for regional autonomy and peace in Mindanao, but it often got buried under the national news.
How to Prepare for the Next Cycle
Since we are now in 2026, the 2025 midterms are in the rearview mirror, but the 2028 General Election is already looming on the horizon. If you felt left out last time, here is what you need to keep in mind for the future:
- Check Your Status: Even if you voted in 2025, if you miss two consecutive national elections, your record could be deactivated. It’s worth checking with your local COMELEC office or their online portal.
- The "Register Anywhere" Program: COMELEC has been trying to make it easier by setting up booths in malls. Keep an eye out for these in late 2026 or 2027.
- Follow the Money: Midterms are notorious for "premature campaigning." While the law is a bit fuzzy on this, watching who starts putting up "community service" billboards early gives you a hint of who’s running long before the October filing.
The 2025 Philippine midterm election was more than just a date on a calendar; it was a snapshot of a country in transition. Whether you’re happy with the current Senate or wishing for more change, the power always cycles back to the voter.
Your Next Steps:
Keep your voter ID or registration stub in a safe place. If you've moved house since May 2025, you'll need to head to your new local COMELEC office to transfer your registration. This process usually opens up a few months after the election cycle ends, so now is actually a great time to handle it before the 2028 rush begins.