Crime-Busting Mayor Soars Into Lead of Philippine President Race

Rodrigo Duterte overtakes rivals in latest opinion poll
Mayor has vowed to order execution of nation's drug addicts

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By Norman P Aquino and Andreo Calonzo

December 7, 2015 at 5:54 AM UTC

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Rodrigo Duterte, a crime-busting mayor and self-confessed womanizer, has rocketed ahead of established rivals in the latest opinion poll on the Philippines’ presidential race.

The 70-year-old, who only filed his candidacy last month, took a 38 percent share in the poll by Social Weather Stations. Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay, the front-runners in previous surveys, each got 21 percent, according to the survey conducted Nov. 26-28.