Controversial presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte maintains a significant lead as Filipinos head to the polls today. With a projected 35% of the vote, Duterte has a 12-point lead over his closest competition, senator Grace Poe.

Duterte will cast his vote between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Until then, he is keeping a low profile, according to a campaign spokesperson.

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"He sleeps at daytime," said the spokesperson. "He will show up when he comes to the polling precinct...partly due to security reason[s]."

The popular candidate rose to prominence as Mayor of Davao City. Duterte cleaned up crime in the city, which is now known as the safest city in the Philippines.

On the campaign trail, the 71-year-old former prosecutor has attracted attention with profanity-riddled speeches and brash claims regarding foreign policy. As a result, he has been dubbed the "Donald Trump of Asia" by the media.

On Saturday in Manila, Duterte continued his line of rhetoric, promising a crowd of supporters, "All of you who are into drugs, you sons of bitches, I will really kill you. I have no patience; I have no middle ground. Either you kill me or I will kill you idiots."

Duterte also raised eyebrows with remarks about Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill, who was gang-raped and murdered in Davao City in 1989. Duterte said he "should have been first" to assault Hamill.

Regarding foreign policy, Duterte has revealed an aggressive stance. He threatened to ride a jet ski and plant the Philippine flag on a disputed island in the South China Sea.

Opponents warned that if Duterte wins, he will be a dictator, pointing to his questionable methods for fighting crime in Davao City. Critics accused Duterte of deploying "death squads" to execute around 700 people.

Duterte questioned the accuracy of the accusation, bragging that the total of executions was actually 1,700. 

TagsPhilippines, Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine election, South China Sea, Trump of Asia, donald trump, Manila, Davao City