MANILA—A city mayor who has pledged to unleash a bloody crackdown on criminals is the favorite to secure the Philippine presidency, as millions of Filipinos prepare to vote in national elections on Monday. He led by 11 points in two surveys published in recent... Despite a series of gaffes, including jokes about rape and threats to break ties with the U.S., Rodrigo Duterte, the 71-year-old mayor of Davao City, has gained momentum in the campaign’s closing stages as he vies to replace outgoing President Benigno Aquino III.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 07, 2016 23:22 UTC