By Sarah Toms BBC, Manila

But for the country's voters, who on Monday get the chance to elect a new president and other leaders, the issues are deadly serious.

Their government has a debt burden of $61bn but cannot collect enough tax.

The economy is not doing as well as many others in Asia, while the currency remains weak.

Gloria Arroyo has taken the lead in opinion polls

And corruption, poverty and rebel violence remain serious threats, with at least 24 candidates and 45 of their supporters killed by rivals and guerrillas in the run-up to the elections.

The fight for the presidency may not have been quite as violent, but incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been locked in a fierce struggle with her main rival, the popular film star Fernando Poe Junior, known to many as FPJ.

"Dancing, singing, mudslinging," said Earl Parreno, a commentator and trustee at the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms, summing up the unique style of politics in the Philippines.

"People expect this election to reflect a level of maturity in a democracy. Unfortunately, candidates are only able to project their image, not any policies, showing they are competent as politicians, not statesmen," he said.

Arroyo ahead

The five candidates for president and those chasing 17,000 other posts have been wooing voters with plenty of promises and handouts on the campaign trail.

Mr Parreno says the campaign has been about image, not policies

If opinion polls are correct, President Arroyo will end up keeping her job with about 37% of the vote, compared to 31% for Mr Poe.

"She had a number of helpers - the first is FPJ," said Joel Rocamora of the Institute for Popular Democracy, an independent think-tank.

"You can't have a private and shy person competing. He is not hacking it and he's nervous and irritable," Mr Rocamora said.

As President Arroyo's campaign stressed her experience in office, Mr Poe let an early lead in the polls slip away by relying on celebrity appeal and making investors nervous with vague policies.

There are also hopes that voters are becoming more discerning. The last time they elected a celebrity - Joseph Estrada, a former actor and drinking buddy of Mr Poe - they saw him chased from office just three years later to face corruption charges.

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Film star Fernando Poe Junior Former police chief Panfilo Lacson Former education secretary Raul Roco Evangelical preacher Eduardo Villanueva Profile: Gloria Arroyo Profile: Fernando Poe Jnr

Mrs Arroyo's spell in office, though marked by few concrete successes, appears to have done enough to convince voters she deserves another chance.

"For three years she has been president and she's doing very well," said taxi driver July Lumba, during a break from Manila's constant traffic.

"Also, her opponent FPJ. Imagine! He's only a second year high school dropout," he said.

Despite the opinion polls, fans of Mr Poe refuse to lose faith.

"Even though he has no experience, many people think he will be a good president," said one woman selling hot spring rolls on a Manila street corner.

"He is a good person. Maybe he is not as corrupt as other politicians. He is also a good movie actor."

Mrs Arroyo, who became president when Mr Estrada was ousted, has been accused by rivals of using government money to win the support of local politicians and voters.

She has denied the allegations, saying that spending is part of normal government business.

"Filipinos vote for people who have something that will benefit them. Arroyo gave them land titles, health insurance and provided temporary jobs to street sweepers," said Mr Parreno.

Mr Poe's campaign appears to have lost momentum

In a country where bribes, intimidation and irregularities are part of any election, an editorial in the Philippine Daily Inquirer repeated familiar questions: "Where is the indelible ink? Where are the ballots? Where are the lists, and why are the dead still on them, while too many of the living are missing?"

Security risk

One thing all presidential candidates agree on is the need to improve security.

President Arroyo said in late March that security forces had foiled a "Madrid-level" attack in Manila by arresting several Muslim militants and seizing explosives.

Two more men have been arrested and more bombs found since. The threat is being taken seriously by police and soldiers preparing for Monday's election.

Mrs Arroyo peacefully put down a mutiny by about 300 elite soldiers last July, but the military remains dispirited, underpaid and often outgunned by Muslim and communist rebels, despite equipment and training from the United States.

Manila and Washington say the southern island of Mindanao has been used by members of the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah for training and planning attacks.

"If Arroyo wins, the government will have continuity and we won't expect too many surprises with security and the economy," said Mr Rocamora.