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| Aquino Allies Take Lead in Election in Philippines | Aquino Allies Take Lead in Election in Philippines |
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| MANILA — Philippine voters appeared to have strengthened President Benigno S. Aquino III’s hand in advancing his political agenda, according to early unofficial election returns on Tuesday that showed his political allies poised to take control of the Senate. | MANILA — Philippine voters appeared to have strengthened President Benigno S. Aquino III’s hand in advancing his political agenda, according to early unofficial election returns on Tuesday that showed his political allies poised to take control of the Senate. |
| Mr. Aquino was not up for re-election in the vote on Monday. He has three years remaining in his six-year term and is not permitted to run again. But the midterm elections were seen as crucial for consolidating his power over the unwieldy Philippine legislature to advance his anticorruption and economic-growth program and to influence the choice of his successor. | Mr. Aquino was not up for re-election in the vote on Monday. He has three years remaining in his six-year term and is not permitted to run again. But the midterm elections were seen as crucial for consolidating his power over the unwieldy Philippine legislature to advance his anticorruption and economic-growth program and to influence the choice of his successor. |
| The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and international organizations and ratings agencies have credited Mr. Aquino’s policies for that success. | The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and international organizations and ratings agencies have credited Mr. Aquino’s policies for that success. |
| “This victory in the Senate means he will not be a lame-duck president,” said Ramon C. Casiple, the executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in Manila. “He can use his popularity and control of the government to pursue his agenda and affect the 2016 presidential election.” | “This victory in the Senate means he will not be a lame-duck president,” said Ramon C. Casiple, the executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in Manila. “He can use his popularity and control of the government to pursue his agenda and affect the 2016 presidential election.” |
| At stake in the elections on Monday were 12 of the 24 Senate seats and all 229 seats in the House of Representatives. The elections also covered 18,000 local political posts, including provincial governors. | At stake in the elections on Monday were 12 of the 24 Senate seats and all 229 seats in the House of Representatives. The elections also covered 18,000 local political posts, including provincial governors. |
| With 69 percent of the vote counted, nine pro-administration Senate candidates were ahead. Their victory would increase the number of Mr. Aquino’s allies in the chamber to 13 from 4 and give them the power to choose the next Senate president. | With 69 percent of the vote counted, nine pro-administration Senate candidates were ahead. Their victory would increase the number of Mr. Aquino’s allies in the chamber to 13 from 4 and give them the power to choose the next Senate president. |
| Final Senate results were expected by late Wednesday. | Final Senate results were expected by late Wednesday. |
| Mr. Aquino’s political opponents have noted that although the economy has expanded, job growth has been flat and poverty levels have not improved. His critics also say corruption remains endemic, particularly low-level graft that most directly affects the poor. | Mr. Aquino’s political opponents have noted that although the economy has expanded, job growth has been flat and poverty levels have not improved. His critics also say corruption remains endemic, particularly low-level graft that most directly affects the poor. |
| In campaign rallies for his political allies, Mr. Aquino responded that in his remaining years in office, his government would focus on extending the benefits of economic prosperity to the country’s poor and on continuing to crack down on corruption. | In campaign rallies for his political allies, Mr. Aquino responded that in his remaining years in office, his government would focus on extending the benefits of economic prosperity to the country’s poor and on continuing to crack down on corruption. |
| The shift in power in the Senate would give Mr. Aquino extraordinary control over the government, Mr. Casiple said. His allies’ gains in the Senate would be complemented by the traditional control that the administration has over the House of Representatives. | The shift in power in the Senate would give Mr. Aquino extraordinary control over the government, Mr. Casiple said. His allies’ gains in the Senate would be complemented by the traditional control that the administration has over the House of Representatives. |
| Though the results of many races were still unclear on Tuesday, party alliances are less significant in the House, Mr. Casiple said. House members rely on national government money to finance projects in their districts, giving the administration considerable leverage over the body. | Though the results of many races were still unclear on Tuesday, party alliances are less significant in the House, Mr. Casiple said. House members rely on national government money to finance projects in their districts, giving the administration considerable leverage over the body. |
| In addition to his expected control of both houses of Congress, Mr. Aquino is seen as having significant influence over the judiciary. Last year, he led a successful effort to remove the chief justice of the Supreme Court for his failure to disclose assets, which allowed the president to appoint the current leader of the court. | In addition to his expected control of both houses of Congress, Mr. Aquino is seen as having significant influence over the judiciary. Last year, he led a successful effort to remove the chief justice of the Supreme Court for his failure to disclose assets, which allowed the president to appoint the current leader of the court. |
| In the fiercely contested mayor’s race in Manila, former President Joseph Estrada ousted the incumbent, Alfredo S. Lim. Mr. Estrada, a former action movie star who was removed from the presidency after being accused of corruption, remains a popular political figure. | |
| Imelda R. Marcos, the former first lady, was re-elected to the House of Representatives by a wide margin. Her daughter Imee Marcos was re-elected governor of Ilocos Norte Province, the birthplace of her father, Ferdinand E. Marcos, the former president who died in exile in 1989. | |
| Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, despite remaining in detention in a government hospital on corruption charges, won a second term as the Congressional representative in her home district, Pampanga. | |
| The elections on Monday involved less violence and fewer delays than in years past. The police reported at least seven election-related deaths, all in the country’s restive south. | The elections on Monday involved less violence and fewer delays than in years past. The police reported at least seven election-related deaths, all in the country’s restive south. |