Philippine president tries to block Duterte from winning

Reuters, MANILA





Philippine election hopefuls campaigned for a final day on Saturday amid the drama of a late intervention by the nation’s outgoing leader to try to block Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from winning the presidency.

PhilippinePresident Benigno Aquino III on Friday caused a stir with a call for candidates to collaborate against Duterte in a last-ditch move to stop the “Trump of the East” from converting his runaway popularity into victory in tomorrow’s vote.

Philippine politics is no stranger to controversial characters and the firebrand Duterte is one of its most divisive, alarming opponents with his advocacy of extrajudicial killings as a deterrent against rampant crime and illegal drugs.

A motorcade of Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is running for president, and senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao is greeted by supporters in Malabon, Metro Manila, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

There were no signs on Saturday of Aquino’s idea taking hold. Some experts said it could backfire on his chosen successor, Manuel Roxas II.

Roxas invited rival Philippine Senator Grace Poe for talks aimed at derailing Duterte, who has a double-digit lead in the latest opinion polls, but met a resounding “no.” Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay ‘s team described Aquino’s call as “hollow.”

Political analyst Prospero de Vera said the government had seen the writing on the wall for its candidate and it needed to change tack.

“This is all part of the administration’s messaging to project that Manuel Roxas has the momentum,” De Vera said. “They need these dramatics to prevent allies in the provinces from jumping ship.”

The five candidates had major rallies planned later yesterday, the final day allowed for campaigning. Duterte was a clear leader in final opinion polling, with a lead of 11 points over Poe, with Roxas close behind in third.

Duterte, 71, is the alternative candidate who has lit up the race with his incendiary rhetoric and image as a loose cannon.

Experts say his recent surge, and Poe’s popularity, represents public disenchantment with Aquino’s administration.

That sentiment has perplexed investors and some Western governments given the robust performance of the Philippine economy under Aquino. However, criticism by opponents that it has not translated into jobs or better livelihoods for millions of poor people appears to be resonating.

However, Poe’s pro-investment, anti-poverty platform is striking a chord, as is Duterte’s promises of a war on crime and his profanity-packed speeches during a campaign that bears the emblem of a clenched fist.

Duterte’s campaign manager, Leoncio Evasco Jr, described Aquino’s call for a united front against Duterte as desperate.

“It also further unmasks the true character of the Aquino regime — one that in the face of debacle will abandon ship and run like a headless chicken,” Evasco said in a statement.