The 2025 Philippine general election on May 12 has solidified the dominance of the Lakas-CMD party in the House of Representatives, reinforcing its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, while simultaneously providing a crucial political boost for Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

In the 37th lower house election, all 317 seats were contested, comprising 254 congressional districts and 63 party-list representatives. Lakas-CMD emerged as the commanding force, securing 104 seats. This strong showing enabled the unopposed re-election of Speaker Martin Romualdez, a key ally of the president, signaling a consolidation of power within the legislative chamber.

While the administration's party tightened its hold, the party-list elections produced significant developments. The Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party, a progressive group advocating for human rights and institutional reform, topped the party-list race with 2,779,621 votes, winning the maximum of three seats.

In one of the election's most notable comeback stories, former justice secretary and human rights advocate Leila de Lima secured a seat in the house through the party-list system. Her victory comes after nearly seven years of detention on politically charged allegations, and is being interpreted as a public mandate for justice and accountability.

However, not all political dynasties saw success. The Philippine Commission on Elections denied the motion for reconsideration from the far-right Duterte Youth, disqualifying the party-list from holding its three seats. The group may still appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

Analysts view the midterm results as one of the most consequential in modern Philippine history, primarily for their impact on the evolving political landscape and the rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte factions. Despite efforts by Marcos allies to initiate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, the election of Duterte-aligned candidates in the senate has strengthened her position. This makes it more difficult for opponents to secure the two-thirds senate majority required for a conviction in an impeachment trial.

The outcome has been widely described as a "shot at political survival" for Vice President Duterte, enhancing her viability as a contender for the 2028 presidential election. The results of the 2025 midterms are therefore expected to not only define the legislative agenda for the next three years but also influence the country's future political trajectory and foreign policy direction.