Duterte wins Philippine presidential election: Preliminary results

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte talks to reporters in Davao city in southern Philippines, May 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MANILA - Davao city mayor Rodrigo Duterte has won the 2016 Philippine presidential election, according to an unofficial and partial tally of votes cast as of 2:00 am Tuesday.

Based on 87 percent of valid ballots, Duterte pocketed 14,499,396 votes, followed by Manuel Roxas at 8,680,203 votes, the statistics from partial and unofficial Comelec Transparency server showed.

Even if the rest of the uncounted valid votes all went to Roxas, he would not be able to turn the tide.

"Duterte's victory excites me and inspires optimism because he is a strong-willed leader with outstanding track record as moyor of Davao city," said Wilson Lee Flores, a columnist and analyst in political science.

Flores emphasized that Duterte is the first Filipino president-elect from economically-neglected, resource-rich and rebel-infested Mindanao region of southern Philippines.

"He can help the region more," he said.

He added that he also expects Duterte to address the now bad peace and order situation, the huge rich-poor gap, and the rural development and infrastructure needs of the country.

Grace Poe, ranking the third in vote counting, had already conceded to Duterte earlier in a press conference in Quezon city, Manila.

Five candidates contested in the election for the presidency to succeed Benigno Aquino III, whose six-year term ends on June 30.

Duterte has been leading most of the opinion polls since April.