'It is a circus': Philippine election season kicks off

Gathered supporters of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao hold a banner as Pacquiao files his candidacy for the Philippines' upcoming presidential election, scheduled to be held on May 2022, outside an election office in Manila on Oct1, 2021.- AFP

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines' election season kicked off Friday (Oct 1) with TV celebrities, political scions and at least one inmate expected to be among thousands of candidates vying for posts from president to town councillor.

A week-long registration process launches a typically noisy and deadly seven months of campaigning for more than 18,000 positions -- but the raging pandemic and economic misery caused by harsh lockdowns could dampen the party atmosphere.