The US in the 2016 Philippines Election

This special feature highlighted how the US is discussed by the candidates of the Philippines 2016 Presidential Election, which took place on May 9, 2016.

Explore each candidate's background and experience in the US, as well as his or her positions on US-related issues.

Lead Researcher: Melissa Newcomb

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Rodrigo Duterte - Overview

Background, US Experience, and Connections

70 years old, mother was a school teacher, father was a provincial governor. [Source]

Graduated with a BA in 1968 in Political Science at Lyceum of the Philippines and his law degree from San Beda College, passing the bar in 1972.

Duterte is credited for restoring economic prosperity and rule-of-law to Davao City, a large port region of about 1.5 million people which was known for Marxist insurgents and a high homicide rate in the 1980s…

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Rodrigo Duterte - EDCA

Duterte has publicly opposed the Visiting Forces Agreement which allows the entry of U.S. troops in the country and once claimed that he rejected the request of the United States to make Davao a center of drone operations in the region. [Source] August 12, 2013

Duterte says that Philippines gave EDCA “for free" and that EDCA does not promise US will come to Philippines’ aid if China attacks them. [Source] March 1, 2016

Duterte has “reservations about the presence of…

Rodrigo Duterte - South China Sea

Duterte speaking to visiting military attachés, including those from the United States and China, during a discussion of the South China Sea territorial: “America would never die for us. If America cared, it would have sent its aircraft carriers and missile frigates the moment China started reclaiming land in contested territory, but no such thing happened.” [Source] July 30, 2015

In reference to Philippines’ case against China over disputed South China Sea territory: “Let’s not talk about ownership and I will not…