MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The son and namesake of ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos has taken a commanding lead in an unofficial count in the presidential election in the deeply divided Asian democracy. With more than 70% of the votes counted, Marcos Jr. had more than 23 million, far ahead of his closest challenger, current Vice President Leni Robredo, a champion of human rights, who had 11 million. The next president is likely to hear demands to prosecute outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte for thousands of killings during his anti-drug crackdown. Duterte’s daughter, southern Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte, is Marcos Jr.’s vice presidential running mate in an alliance of the scions of two authoritarian leaders who concern human rights groups.
Dictator’s son far ahead in Philippine presidential vote
