Millions Vote In Philippines' Election

05:51

May 09, 2016

Filipinos cast their votes inside a polling precinct on May 9, 2016 in Davao city, Philippines. Voters in the Philippines are set to elect Rodrigo Duterte, a tough-talking mayor of Davao City in Mindanao, pulling away from his rivals despite controversial speeches and little national government experience. The 71-year-old Duterte, who has been compared with Donald Trump, is likely to be elected president of the Philippines and its 100 million people on Monday. (Jes Aznar/Getty Images)

Note: This BBC interview can be heard in the Here & Now podcast or with the WBUR app.

People lined up in blazing heat to cast ballots in what has been described as the country's most heated election in its history. According to the polls, the leading contender for the presidency is a tough talking mayor who has been compared to Donald Trump. His name is Rodrigo Duterte and his nickname is "the Punisher." But he's just one of thousands of candidates in this election, which will determine the president, vice president and senators in this nation of 7,000 islands. We check in with The BBC's Jonathan Head in Manila.

Guest

Jonathan Head, southeast Asia correspondent for BBC News. He tweets @pakhead.

This segment aired on May 9, 2016.

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