The rise of the unlikely new leader Duterte

In a nation with a famously raucous political scene, Rodrigo Duterte stands out as one of the Philippines’ most colourful, unorthodox and controversial figures.

The longtime mayor of the southern city of Davao has captivated Filipinos with vows of brutal but quick solutions to crime and poverty, offering himself as a strongman capable of up-ending politics as usual.

A lawyer and former state prosecutor who briefly joined a communist organisation in his youth, the 71-year-old has appalled many with foul-mouthed rants including calling the pope a “son of a whore”.

But while his outbursts dominated the headlines, none dented his popularity — even a joke that he wanted to rape a “beautiful” Australian missionary who was killed in a 1989 Davao prison riot.

His rollicking ride to the presidency in Monday’s election is testament to the appeal of an anti-establishment politician in a nation sickened by entrenched corruption and the domination of the economy by a few dozen elite families. Mr Duterte is also an undoubtedly charismatic politician and natural story-teller, with his street language and off-colour jokes enraging his opponents but captivating audiences on the campaign trail in recent months.

He has further burnished his populist credentials by always wearing jeans and casual shirts in public, and shunning the traditional “barong” shirt worn for formal occasions.

Mr Duterte, a serial adulterer who admits to having four children by four women including his estranged wife, has always been a contentious character.