Duterte popularity sweeps daughter to election win
Outgoing PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte Could FACE International CHARGES over HIS DEADLY Drug war, But HIS DAUGHTER’S thumping victory In THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL RACE shows HIS popularity remains SKY-HIGH.
Sara Duterte SECURED more than HALF THE votes In Monday’s Election, A RINGING Endorsement For THE Family name that HAS BECOME A Byword For Brutality AND Impunity In THE povertyplagued Country. SARA Duterte’s success In THE Election on Monday Cements THE Family’s PLACE At THE Centre of politics For Another six years AND Ensures THE
Duterte name stays on THE list of powerful political Dynasties.
WITH HER running mate FERDINAND Marcos Jr Capturing THE presidency, THE two offspring of Authoritarian LEADERS HAVE BEEN ELEVATED to THE nation’s HIGHEST ELECTED positions.
Duterte, 43, HAD once BEEN tipped to try to SUCCEED HER FATHER In THE presidential PALACE As voter surveys last year put HER well In Front of other possible Contenders, INCLUDING Marcos Jr.
But SHE stunned political observers — AND Apparently HER DAD — By striking A DEAL with THE son of THE Country’s Former
Dictator AND INSTEAD running For THE Deputy’s JOB. WHEN Duterte walked Arm-in-arm with Marcos Jr At A society WEDDING near MANILA last November, Filipinos knew A political MARRIAGE HAD Also BEEN SEALED.
THE Arrangement Also Brought together several powerful FAMILIES that Control swathes of THE PHILIPPINES AND HAVE THE means to DIRECT voters to support THEIR Chosen CANDIDATE.
“I think we would HAVE HAD An Entirely DIFFERENT RACE HAD SARA Duterte DECIDED to run For THE presidency — probably Marcos would not HAVE run At All,” SAID political Analyst RICHARD HEYDARIAN, AFTER A recent pre-election survey showed Marcos Jr on track to win BIG.
WHILE HER role As VICE-PRESIDENT will BE largely Ceremonial, It puts HER within A HEARTBEAT of THE HIGHEST OFFICE AND In pole position to run For president In six years’ time.
SHE Could Also WIELD SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE In THE next Administration. Known For HER quick temper — SHE once repeatedly PUNCHED A Court SHERIFF In Front of TV CAMERAS — SHE Also HAS A Fondness For BIG motorbikes AND tattoos.