According to a poll monitor, anti-establishment candidate Rodrigo Duterte has won in Monday’s Philippine presidential elections after a campaign dominated by his profanity-laced vows to kill criminals.
After a record voter turnout and 88 percent of votes counted as of early Tuesday morning, Duterte led by 5.84 million votes over closest adversary Mar Roxas, according to the results.
Duterte had 38.6 percent of the vote, compared to Roxas’ 23.1 percent, and Senator Grace Poe’s 21.8 percent.
“It’s with extreme humility that I accept this, the mandate of the people,” Duterte said. “What I can promise you is that I will do my very best not just in my waking hours but even in my sleep.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Poe conceded:
“As a staunch supporter of electoral reform, I have a firm belief in the voice and sentiment of our people. I honor the result of our elections. I congratulate Mayor Duterte and pledge my support in working to heal our land and to unite our people towards the continued development of our country.”
