Campaigning for the Philippines' midterm elections kicked off on Tuesday against a fractured political backdrop, heightened by a high-profile row among warring elites that culminated in last week's impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

MANILA: In crowded streets across the Philippines, catchy campaign jingles have started to blare from speakers placed on top of jeepneys passing through neighbourhoods filled with posters of smiling candidates.

Campaigning began Tuesday in the Philippines for mid-term elections that could set the table for the next presidential race and determine the political future of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.

Last week’s impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte has added an extra weight of political significance to the 12 Senate seats up for election.

Family dynasties have a stranglehold on Filipino politics — and this week was a reminder that some dynasties at the top are militaristic and fond of violence.