The comment of a Filipino mayor, who is now aiming to become the country's president, to a rape victim has caused a political storm in the Philippines. Experts say this could affect his chances of winning the presidential race.
Davao City's former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he regretted his remark on Australian Jacqueline Hamill who was killed and raped in a prison riot back in 1989. A video that was circulating the web shows the mayor talking in front of a big crowd of supporters. The mayor was heard saying that he pitied the girl after seeing her dead body and was mad when he knew that the girl was raped. He then jokingly added that he, as a mayor, should have been the first.
According to ABC, Duterte already apologized to the Filipino people regarding his recent remarks. He said he uttered those words in the heat of the moment. He added that he is sorry for that is his style of expressing things, adding that people should look behind the story instead of the mere statement.
Mayor Duterte has been vocal in proposing mass execution on convicted criminals. He is known for his irreverent and inflammatory speeches and sexual boast. As reported by BBC, Duterte has built his political reputation on a tough approach to crime-fighting in Davao city which he managed for 22 years.
According to Pulse Asia, an independent poll conducting company in the country, Duterte has taken the lead on their recent survey right before he gave his remarks. Ronald Holmes said that the Mayor's recent remarks will definitely have an effect on the next survey, making it premature to announce a winner at this moment as per The Guardian.
Following Duterte on the survey is Grace Poe with 25%, followed by Vice-president Jejomar Binay who got 20% and Manuel Roxas on fourth with 18%. Holmes said they will still conduct a series of surveys including the week before election day which is on May 9. He is confident that by that time, they will be able to see a clear winner based on the surveys' result.
