The Philippines conducts synchronized congressional and local elections, excluding regional and barangay levels, every three years on the second Monday of May. This system has been in place since 1992.
Presidential and vice-presidential elections occur every six years in even-numbered years (e.g., 1992, 1998), while midterm elections — where the presidency is not contested — are held in odd-numbered years (e.g., 1995, 2001).
On 12 May 2025, millions of Filipinos will once again exercise their right to vote in the midterm elections, electing new leaders for national and local positions.
From 1 to 8 October 2024, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) accepted Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for individuals aspiring to hold public office. A total of 18,280 elective positions will be contested in the upcoming elections:
Senators: 12
Party-List Representatives: 63
Members, House of Representatives: 254
Governors: 82
Vice Governors: 82
Provincial Board Members: 800
City Mayors: 149
City Vice Mayors: 149
City Councilors: 1,690
Municipal Mayors: 1,493
Municipal Vice Mayors: 1,493
Municipal Councilors: 11,948
BARMM Members of Parliament: 25
BARMM Party Representatives: 40
On 13 December 2024, Comelec finalized the list of 66 senatorial candidates who qualified for the 2025 elections. Out of 183 individuals who filed for the Senate race, 117 were declared nuisance candidates and were removed from the official ballot.
In the 2025 midterm elections, approximately 68 million Filipino voters will elect officials for over 18,000 positions, including:
12 senators (half of the 24-member Senate)
All members of the House of Representatives, including party-list representatives
Local government officials such as governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors
Each voter will be able to vote for:
One (1) party-list organization to represent marginalized and underrepresented sectors in the House of Representatives.
Up to twelve (12) senators. Voters may select fewer than twelve, but choosing more than twelve will invalidate their senatorial votes.
The party-list system ensures that marginalized sectors have legislative representation, while senatorial elections follow a staggered system, with half of the Senate being elected every three years.
12 January – 11 June 2025: Election period and gun ban
11 February – 10 May 2025: Campaign period for senators and party-list groups (except 17-18 April, Maundy Thursday & Good Friday)
28 March – 10 May 2025: Campaign period for House representatives, governors, mayors, and councilors (except 17-18 April, Maundy Thursday & Good Friday)
13 April – 12 May 2025: Voting period for overseas voters
28-30 April 2025: Voting period for local absentee voters
11 May 2025: Liquor ban and end of campaign period
12 May 2025: Election Day
11 June 2025: Last day to file Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE)