MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Rodrigo Duterte, 71, an outspoken longtime mayor of the southern city of Davao whose rabble-rousing campaign has drawn comparisons to US presidential candidate Donald Trump, has maintained a comfortable lead among five candidates throughout the campaign.
A new president of the Philippines may be declared by Wednesday, The Straits Times daily cited the electoral commission as saying. Winners for national posts are expected to be named by Thursday, it added.
The outlet attributes Duterte’s cult-like popularity to public frustration with lack of economic growth, daily crime and corruption despite a return to democracy since the 1986 uprising.
Outgoing Philippines President Benigno Aquino, who is constitutionally limited to one six-year term, reportedly likened Duterte to Adolf Hitler, warning voters that they may be electing a dictator-in-the-making.
The newspaper further asserts that 1965-85 strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ son and namesake Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is poised to win the vice-presidential post.
