On 12 May, the 2025 elections Phillippines will be held across the country’s 7,000+ islands to elect new leaders in national and local positions. These are mid-term elections and will see see 18,191 officials take their seats in the Senate, the House of representatives and in local offices as governors, provincial board members, mayors, and councillors.
The positions that are currently being contested are:
- 12 senator seats (out of 24)
- 63 representatives for party-lists
- 254 representatives of legislative districts
- All 82 provincial governorships and vice-governorships
- 792 provincial board members
- All 149 mayorships and vice mayorships in cities
- 1,682 city councilors
- All 1,493 mayorships and vice mayorships in municipalities
- 25 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) members of the parliament
- 40 BARMM party representatives
With over 68 million registered voters heading to the polls, the outcome will not only shape the country’s political landscape in the coming years but also set the stage for the 2028 presidential election.
Filming the 2025 Elections Philippines
There are several reasons for the global interest in the national and local elections in the Philippines in 2025. Chief among them is the escalating political rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, both representatives of two of the country’s most prominent political families.
Marcos Jr. and Duterte were elected on a joint ticket in 2022, making the most of the Philippine’s “winner takes all” system. However, once in power, their differing priorities became evident, with each focusing on continuing their respective fathers’ legacies rather than working together. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who ruled the country from 1965 to 1986, was an authoritarian leader best known for imposing martial law from 1972 to 1981.
Rodrigo Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, also took an autocratic approach. He was most famous for his hard-line crackdown on crime, and for shifting the country’s foreign policy away from the U.S. and toward China.
Now, as the 2025 elections approach, the Marcos-Duterte alliance has turned into open warfare. Both camps have accused each other of corruption, with tensions reaching new heights when Duterte publicly threatened to assassinate Marcos and his relatives, a shocking statement that ultimately led to her impeachment in the House of Representatives. Duterte will need the support of the 12 newly elected senators, who’ll also be the judges during her impeachment trial, if she wants to continue her political ambitions and reach the nation’s highest office of president.
As both rivals look for allies while seeking out opponents, other concerns about fraudulent election practices have only added to the turmoil. According to election monitors, foreign cyber intrusions, deepfake videos, and AI-generated misinformation are all being used to manipulate public opinion, making election integrity a critical issue.
Finding the Right Fixer for the 2025 Elections Philippines
Given these issues and complexities, international media covering the elections should strongly consider working with a local fixer for the 2025 elections Philippines. An experienced fixer can provide invaluable on-the-ground knowledge and key political contacts. Additionally, your fixer for the 2025 elections in the Philippines will be aware of the logistical needs necessary to maintain quality Philippine film production across the unique physical challenges of the archipelago.
For media organizations aiming for in-depth, reliable election coverage, enlisting a fixer to organize your film crew in Manila and assemble a full Philippines film production team is the best way to ensure high-quality local reporting that will keep international audiences fully informed on one of the most consequential elections in Philippine history.
Finding the Best Camera Crew in Manila
As the Filipino capital, Manila is a massive city with a population of nearly 2 million people. But finding a camera crew in Manila with the expertise and experience of covering both general and local elections simultaneously may be challenging.
The truth is, as a visiting journalist keen to track down the best stories around the political alliances and rivalries as well as local opinion on policy directions, a fixer for the 2025 Elections in the Philippines becomes your most valuable asset.
A good fixer will not only secure the best team for film production in the Philippines, but they’ll also help you manage the logistical labyrinth of permits, location access, and last-minute schedule changes.
By booking your fixer early, you’ll have the time to coordinate exactly what footage you need, ensure you’re working with the best camera crew in Manila.
Doing this now, means avoiding the nightmare later of having to figure out how to get to and film in remote islands at the last minute.
In short, if you want the best film production in the Philippines, you’ll need to plan ahead—or prepare for several very long and likely unproductive days during your coverage of the election.
Film Permits 2025 Elections in the Philippines: How to Organize Them
To film during the Philippines elections, you’ll also need the requisite film permits. These are typically organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), though, in true bureaucratic fashion, requirements can vary depending on the different regions you aim to film in.
Your fixer for the 2025 Elections in the Philippines will be able to manage all the permit paperwork on your behalf. But with the elections only three months away, and the FDCP likely drowning in permit requests from numerous foreign media outlets, it’s crucial that you get your applications in now.
Sorting out video production services in advance is simply smart planning. Your fixer can arrange the necessary resources, from additional equipment to a reliable camera crew in the Philippines.
If you’re hiring a videographer in Manila, book early—especially if they’ll be working with a camera crew in other parts of the country.
A seasoned videographer in Manila can also obtain their own filming permits and deliver edited footage as soon as you need it. This is particularly useful for capturing pre-election coverage and any b-roll you might not have time to shoot once you’re on the ground there.
Key Filming Locations for Election Coverage in the Philippines
Certain areas with high voter turnout are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the 2025 Philippine elections and will be key filming areas for media coverage. For instance, Manila, as the country’s largest and most diverse urban center is certain to influence the national election outcome, while provinces like Bulacan and Laguna, which have seen significant economic development in recent years, may sway local election results.
Safety is also a major concern during the national and local elections 2025 Philippines. Regions such as Mindanao have a history of election-related violence. Additionally, large protests may be organised in cities such as Manila and Cebu during the election 2025 Philippines campaign period.
In January, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) flagged 38 areas as “red” zones, indicating a high risk of armed threats. Another 177 areas were classified as “orange” zones, meaning they also pose security concerns. On the other hand, 1,239 areas have been marked “green”, where polling is expected to proceed peacefully.
To ensure safe and efficient coverage, as well as the safety of your Philippines film production team, work closely with your fixer to identify safe filming locations and follow their guidance throughout the election period.
Conclusion
The 2025 elections in the Philippines promises to be a high-stakes, unpredictable event with far-reaching consequences—not just for the country, but globally. With major international media expected to descend in the lead-up to and during the election 2025 Philippines campaign period, competition for resources will be intense.
To secure the best coverage, that means now is the time to start planning.
If you haven’t already, coordinate with your fixer for the 2025 Elections in the Philippines, so that you can be sure to have a top-tier team in place and ready to roll—literally—the moment you land.