Philippines to the polls

- In the Philippines on Monday began the presidential election. Five candidates participating in the elections to succeed incumbent President Benigno Aquino in the country has about 100 million inhabitants.

The main candidate is the outspoken mayor of Davao, Rodrigo Duterte (Social Democrats), who leads the polls with 33 percent. His closest pursuers are the former Minister of the Interior, Mar Roxas (Liberals) and Senator Grace Poe (independent), both of whom 20 percent of voters are ascribed.

had in October last year as many as 130 people to register as a candidate for the succession of Aquino. The electoral council has selected from them the most serious contenders. In addition to a president, vice president, three hundred deputies and about 18 000 local government officials is chosen.