A patron-strongman who delivers

The PRIF Report dicusses why the Philippine President still enjoys enduring public support, despite his illiberal politics.

A supporter holds up a sign in support of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as she waits to meet him in Singapore | © picture alliance / AP Photo

A supporter of Rodrigo Duterte | © picture alliance / AP Photo

Since Rodrigo Duterte was elected President of the Philippines in 2016, he has been responsible for the killing of thousands of Philippine citizens in his war on drugs, threatening political opponents and increasingly undermining crucial political freedoms. International media has condemned his government as oppressive and illiberal, at the same time surveys show that the vast majority of the country’s population support Dutertes law and order politics.

In the new PRIF Report "A patron strongman who delivers. Explaining enduring public support for President Duterte in the Philippines", Peter Kreuzer explores how a rogue politician could become the most popular president in years. He gives insights into Philippine clientelistic politics, political elites and Filipinos’ desire for a politician who puts his promises into action.

Download (pdf, 2,03MB): Kreuzer, Peter (2020): A patron-strongman who delivers. Explaining enduring public support for President Duterte in the Philippines, PRIF Report 1/2020, Frankfurt/M.