Duterte declared Philippine president-elect by parliament

  • Published
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (9 May 2016)Image source, AP
Image caption,

Mr Duterte was more than six million votes ahead of the runner-up in the final count

The Philippine parliament has officially declared Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte to be the president-elect.

Mr Duterte won a landslide victory in the presidential election this month, 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.

Image source, EPA
Image caption,

Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo (third from left) was in parliament to hear herself proclaimed vice-president

The joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate also proclaimed Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo as vice-president.

Both will be sworn in on 30 June, and serve a single six-year term before the constitution requires they stand down.

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