Firebrand mayor Duterte likely to win presidency despite controversial rhetoric

Record ID: 103775

  • Title: Firebrand mayor Duterte likely to win presidency despite controversial rhetoric
  • Date: 12th May 2016
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (FILE) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS PROFANITY **** SUPPORTERS LISTENING TO CAMPAIGN SPEECH DUTERTE SPEAKING ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) DAVAO CITY MAYOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING: "America, and even Australia, are complaining and have been saying a lot of things about me. Son of a bitch I killed the gunmen, do you want me to include you guys as well?"
  • Embargoed: 27th May 2016 09:19
  • Keywords: Philippines Duterte president election Rodrigo Duterte rhetoric Trump controversial Davao
  • Location: CAVITE PROVINCE, MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: CAVITE PROVINCE, MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA0034HI4G1X
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3 / PART AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING / THIS EDIT CONTAINS PROFANITY.
    It was a colourful campaign for Rodrigo Duterte, the hard-talking mayor from Davao who is expected to be the next president of the Philippines.
    A late entry to the presidential race, he took centre stage with unorthodox campaigning and brusque language, drawing comparisons with U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump for profanity-laden speeches and outrageous remarks.
    In April, in what was thought to be a major setback to his campaign, he made a terse comment regarding an Australian rape victim in 1989. "What went on in my mind was they lined up and raped her. I got angry because she was raped, yes that's part of it, but she's beautiful and the mayor should be the first one. So, I killed them all, that's the story," he told supporters in Manila.
    His comment sparked condemnation from women's groups as well as diplomats from Australia and the U.S., to which he retorted; "America, and even Australia, are complaining and have been saying a lot of things about me. Son of a bitch I killed the gunmen, do you want me to include you guys as well?"
    During a televised presidential debate, he even touched on the issue of disputed territories in the South China Sea. "Now, if China doesn't want to talk, then I will ask the Navy to bring me to the nearest boundary to Spratly and Scarborough, then I will ride a jet ski while carrying the Philippine flag, and I will plant our flag at their airport," he said.
    Duterte has made a succession of winding, bellicose and at times comical remarks on television, often joking about his sexual drive.
    His incendiary rhetoric and advocacy of extrajudicial killings to stamp out crime and drugs have alarmed many who hear echoes of the Southeast Asian country's authoritarian past.
    "Just follow the law and we're done. Do not buy shabu (drugs), don't steal, and don't touch women. Well, if she's your girlfriend then it's okay," he said, winking at a female supporter.
    Human rights advocates have called upon him to restrain his words, though this has often led to more backlashes from the mayor. "If you are accusing me of killing people, then sue me and I will kill you as well."
    But despite generously peppering his speech with foul language, and defying political tradition, he has steadily risen in the polls. Now, he looks set to win.
    Many of the Filipinos who voted for Duterte say his promise of change is more important than his vocabulary.
    Enrique Leviste, a sociology professor at Ateneo de Manila University, says Duterte's narrative of change holds weight because of the change seen in Davao. "He presents a particular case that is concrete enough for people, even beyond the boundaries of Mindanao to appreciate," he said.
    Unofficial polls by an election commission-accredited watchdog placed Duterte on the top with a six million lead over his nearest competitor. Official results could take several days, if not weeks, to be announced.
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