2016 Philippine Presidential Elections Update: Mass Favorite Gains Momentum as Voting Begins
Following the criticisms that Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte received over the past weeks for his brash personality and rape joke, the Donald Trump-like candidate is looking to secure his spot in the Philippines' highest seat as voting officially started on Monday.
According to The Wall Street Journal, police estimates reveal that about 300,000 people thronged Manila on Saturday when Duterte held his final campaign rally. Previous polls also placed the 71-year-old city mayor on top of his opponents, with an 11-point lead.
Though some have questioned Duterte's stand on several issues that the government is faced with, he stood firm on his ground that criminals and drug dealers should be "butchered." He also urged the community to "forget the laws on human rights" as he is determined to eradicate crimes in the country within six months of his presidential reign in case he wins the election.
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Current president Benigno Aquino III has placed all his cards on the table over the past days as he tried to convince the public to reject Duterte's platform. On Saturday, he mentioned the consequences of electing the Davao Mayor. "We should remember how Hitler came to power," he said.
Despite Aquino's pleas to the masses, it seems Duterte has gained the respect of many voters as he promised during rallies that the entire country will one day become peaceful like Davao. The said city has become the safest in the country ever since Duterte stepped into power as the mayor.
Earlier this year, Duterte told the outlet, "First they will see a peaceful country, then they will see an end of corruption, then they will see investments [if I win]."
Reuters notes that Duterte's campaign, which has defied political tradition, can be likened to that of the United States' Republican presidential frontrunner Trump, who has managed to take out all other Republicans from the race.
Within the next 24 hours, the Philippines is expecting to elect its next president, amid reports that some electronic voting machines have malfunctioned.
