Philippines presidential election slated for early May
The Philippines will hold a presidential election on May 9 to seek a candidate to succeed outgoing President Benigno Aquino who will conclude his term of office in June.
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A recent public survey showed that after a seven-month electoral campaign, Mayor of Davao city Rodrido Duerte, 71, is emerging as the favourite thanks to his promise on crime crackdown.
According to another survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) research institute, Duerte saw his support rise from 27% of respondents in March to 33% in April, giving him a nine-point lead over second-placed Senator Grace Poe.
Another survey taken by research group Pulse Asia put Duterte in the lead with 34% ahead of Poe at just 22%.
In the last television debate on April 24, Duerte said if elected, he will be tough on criminals and would even kill his children if they take drugs.
Under the leadership of Aquino over the past four years, the Philippines has recorded the fastest growth in Southeast Asia.
In April 2014, the Philippines and the US signed an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, under which the US army will deploy troops and weapons to the Philippines’ military bases.
