Duterte declared Philippine president-elect by parliament

The Philippine parliament has officially declared Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte to be the president-elect. Mr Duterte won a landslide victory in the presidential election recently, taking about six million votes more than his closest competitor. The tough-talking mayor of Davao won on a strident anti-crime platform, promising to wipe out crime in months. Mr Duterte, 71, did not attend Monday’s ceremony, saying he had “never attended any proclamation all my life”. He has largely stayed in Davao, in the south, since his election win.

Duterte: From ‘Punisher’ to president

  • Born in 1945 into a political family but with a more modest background than many Philippine politicians
  • Married twice but now single, he says he has several girlfriends
  • A lawyer, he became vice-mayor of Davao in 1986 and mayor in 1988. He has also previously held a seat in congress
  • Built a reputation fighting crime, militancy and corruption. He has promised to continue his tough stance as president, but has offered few specific policies
  • Well known for incendiary comments, such as saying he would kill thousands of criminals without trial