[Mind the Gap] In chaotic US midterm polls, Filams are running

It’s hard not to feel that this November 2026 US midterm elections is a déjà vu of cheating in Philippine elections. “Dinaya! ” is usually the first word a losing candidate shouts in the Philippines: “I got cheated! ” President Donald Trump seems to have taken this script to heart, casting a shadow over the forecasted “Blue Wave” that could flip Congress to Democratic control even before the first ballot is counted. Even if Trump’s unfounded claims of voter fraud are overwhelmed by a huge Democratic turnout, many fear that Republicans in Congress, out of loyalty to Trump, may try to block Democrats from assuming the majority.

Echoing the “doomsday scenario” espoused by US Attorney General Todd Blanche — delaying the count or refusing to certify results if they favor Democrats — Trump has directed the Justice Department to block certification of the coming Senate election in Alaska if Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan loses by a narrow margin. The New York Times reported that the justice department cited flimsy concerns about confusion with another candidate whose name is similar to Sullivan’s. Their efforts to project a narrative of widespread noncitizen voting is also relentless, even using as bogeymen the 11 individuals the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who were arrested in California on October 16 for allegedly illegally registering to vote. Election experts have raised questions as to whether the charges could be trusted to be accurate, citing similar accusations being disproved elsewhere in the country. ‘Dagdag-Bawas’ Remember when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called “Hello, Garci! ” to pad her votes during the 2004 presidential election against the late Fernando Poe Jr.? Trump seems to have taken a page from that “Dagdag-Bawas” playbook by questioning voter…