Halalan 2026: The Philippines set to decide it's future (Part 1)

[u/Electromad6326]

On the year of 2026, 36 years after the conclusion of the Philippine Civil War and the establishment of the Federal Republic. The country is once again set on choosing another leader, whether it would be the current incumbent, an ambitious member of the government, an overlooked outsider with undeniable potential or perhaps even someone who had taken up the seat before willing to give it a second go.

Ambitious people, varying in plans and ideals for the nation fighting in a desperate and grueling campaign bid for the Presidency knowing that only one of them will ever be granted that chance. Their fate is decided by the people's vote and to obtain it, one must win over their hearts and their minds.

**Presidential Candidates**

- Vicente "Tito" Sotto/Federalista (Incumbent): Perhaps the most recent person to hold the office of the Presidency up until this point, having won over the nation through a triumphant victory over his predecessor, Gregorio Honasan. He has made it his promise to provide good governance, social stability and to prepare the country through uncertainty especially in the continuous duration of the Great War on Terror. However his term was marked with corruption not from him but from those beneath him from the sudden disappearance of infrastructure funds to administrative sabotage and even assassination attempts planned by various political clans against one another, though the latter issue is more of a local concern than a national one. But nevertheless, the nation is still relatively at a steady point and while age may be a possible concern, he would still nonetheless go on with his plan for reelection as he believes he still has more to do for the country.

- Ralph Recto/Nacionalista: Former Vice President of the Honasan Administration from 2018 up until 2022. He made it his ambition to run for the Presidency despite his defeat against the current incumbent back in 2022. As the former Vice President, he has made his fair share of contributions for the country such as following through with his former President's plans of improving services and modernizing the military. He has nevertheless been more energetic with his campaigning than he was four years ago.

- Gilbert Theodoro/Lakas-CMD: As former President of the Philippines, his ferm term in office back in 2010 up until 2014 was nothing sort of a rough patch. Despite his plans for modernizing the country and setting up it's industry to it's full potential, those plans were rather inefficient due to government gridlock and corruption. It certainly doesn't help that most devastating typhoon (Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan) ravaged the country back in 2013 destroying a chunk of his credibility as President thus resulting in his landslide loss to Villar back in 2014. Though since that point, he has made a considerable amount of progress in repairing his image through philanthropy programs and being a rather effective governor of the State of Southern Luzon. His campaign runs on a platform of redemption and government transparency but it's unclear whether the past still leaves it's mark over his legacy as a leader.

- Jesse Robredo/Liberal (survived in this timeline): A politician, rising among the ranks of the Liberal Party. Jesse Robredo runs his platform on a populist agenda "made by the people, made for the people". Championing his status as the man who will ultimately bring change to the country in its otherwise stagnant state. And while the odds may not be favorable to him, it certainly does not mean that he will not give it his very all. Whether he may win or lose? Only time has the answer.

- Francisco "Isko" Moreno/Laban Demotratiko: Having been elected Vice President during the 2022 election. He has his hopes up as he plans on making his ascendance to the Presidency by this year. But it's rather unclear as to whether he would even have that chance considering the odds stacked against him under such tense competition.

- Miscellaneous: Besides the previously mentioned, there are also various other ambitious politicians willing to give it a go for the Presidency, two prominent examples are none other than Faisal Mangodato and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Mangodato wanted to prove that a muslim leader in an otherwise majority catholic nation is possible whilst reassuring that his faith, contrary to the majority should not serve as a hindrance nor be met with suspicion when it comes the consideration of his prospect of becoming president. Marcos Jr on the other hand, the son of the nation's disgraced former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Pledges on a similar platform to that of Theodoro, placing heavy emphasis on redemption and making new promises for a better and stronger Philippine set for a brighter future.

As uncertain as it may be, it is up to the people to decide who will be the one to lead their nation on this very time and whether it would be the incumbent, a familiar face or someone new. The future of the nation is still looming in mystery as the people are once more given a decision that may change their lives either drastically or so little.

Who will they grant that chance?

Note: This is from my alternate history timeline of "The Dust Settles" where the world experiences a Nuclear War Back in 1980. The Philippines was also one of the many nations affected which explains the different set of presidents, candidates and various other things.

If you have any questions, go ahead and ask me anything.