Firebrand mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is set to clinch the Philippines’ presidency, said he will be a “dictator” against evil and vowed to step down in six months if he failed to fulfill his promise to stamp out corruption.
“I will be strict. I will be a dictator, no doubt it. But only against forces of evil — criminality, drugs and corruption in government,” Duterte said Tuesday morning in his hometown of Davao City, in the southern Philippines.
“My message to all government employees — the police, the military, everyone, including cabinet secretaries — stop. You just stop (corruption).”
Duterte’s closest rival Mar Roxas conceded defeat Tuesday, following Grace Poe out of the race, though official results are yet to be announced.
“It is clear that Mr. Rodrigo Duterte will be the next president of the Philippines. Digong (Duterte’s nickname), I wish you success,” Roxas told supporters.
With more than 90% votes counted Tuesday, Duterte was in the lead with more than 38%, according to an unofficial tally from the PPCRV poll monitor.
Over half of the 100 million-strong population registered for the pivotal election, braving stifling heat to cast their ballots Monday.
Duterte, known for his inflammatory comments, has been the long-time front-runner in a campaign dominated by the issues of the economy and corruption.
Plans for the country
The usually bombastic politician took on a slightly more self-effacing tone Tuesday saying he would humbly serve the people of the Philippines.
“If I get to live to the day (of) my oath of office, I don’t have other desires than to serve the interests of the people of the Philippines. Nothing follows,” he said, promising to focus on improving education, health and agriculture.
Duterte was also seen getting emotional early Tuesday morning when he sobbed over his parents’ grave. According to Edith Ging Caduaya, who posted the video to Facebook, he asked his parents to continue guiding him as he prepares to lead the country.
Duterte has not been afraid to upset the Roman Catholic church, vowing to push ahead with birth control methods frowned upon by the Vatican.
“We must go back to family planning,” Duterte said. “As for myself, I am no longer a Catholic, but a Christian. And I have this deep, abiding faith in God to guide all of us, and for me, to have a clear mind.” More than 80% of people in the Philippines identify as Roman Catholic.
Marcos loses lead in VP race
Tens of thousands of elected positions are at stake from the presidency and his or her deputy as well as half the Senate and all of the House of Representatives to a huge number of local posts, ranging from governors and mayors to members of the provincial councils.
In the vice presidential race, Leni Robredo has pulled ahead of rival Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The lone female candidate surpassed Marcos, the perceived frontrunner and son of former Phillippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, taking 35% over Marcos’ 34.59%.
A lawyer, and social activist, Robredo rose to political prominence after the death of her husband, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, in a plane crash in 2012. While campaigning Robredo positioned herself as a defender of women, children and the poor, noting her past work as a public attorney and with an NGO legal support group.
The Philippines also appears to have elected its first ever transgender legislator, Geraldine Roman, to the House of Representatives.
What’s at stake for Filipinos?
The Philippine economy has steadily grown since the early 2000s, earning credit ratings upgrades, with spending power fueled by money sent home by an army of overseas workers.
On the political and diplomatic front, the government has been feted for standing up to China over a row in the South China Sea.
Maria Ressa, executive editor of Rappler, a social news network, says it is Duterte’s authenticity that is responsible for his popularity.
“He is who he is. Unapologetically so and he comes with a track record,” Ressa said.
“I think part of what led to his win in these elections is social media. It plays to his strengths moving away from authority to authenticity.”
RIchard Javad Heydarian, a political science professor at the De La Salle University said the challenge for Duterte now is to transition from the campaign trail to the country’s highest office.
“He can no longer act as a loose cannon,” he said.
“(Mistakes could) make markets more nervous and alienate key international allies.”
He said that Duterte may surround himself with local business luminaries in his cabinet or other competent officials like Gilbert Teodoro, a former defense minister who enjoys “robust ties” to the United States.
But as for Duterte’s promise to rid high crime in half a year, Heydarian says it is impossible. It “runs against the grain of empirical evidence and scholarship,” he said.
