MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Congress has proclaimed crime-busting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as president-elect and Rep. Leni Robredo as vice-president-elect of a country that has been posting high growth rates but remains saddled with poverty, corruption and insurgencies.
Robredo attended Monday’s ceremony at the House of Representatives. Duterte did not; he has stayed in his southern city of Davao since the May 9 elections.
Get daily National news
In the Philippines, presidents and vice-presidents are elected separately.
Duterte won on an anti-crime platform by more than 6 million votes over his closest rival. The vice-presidential race was much tighter. Robredo finished only about 260,000 votes ahead of second-place candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The son of late former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. has raised suspicions of election fraud and has sought an investigation.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.