Aquinos’ legacy clouded by Duterte win, support for a Marcos

MANILA — Philippine leader Benigno Aquino III had called this week’s election a referendum on his “straight path” style of reformist governance, but his candidate lost by millions of votes to a shoot-from-the-lip mayor.

[...] if the vice presidency goes to a son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted 30 years ago by a revolt led by Aquino’s mother, that will cloud the political legacy of a family that has been regarded as a bulwark against authoritarianism.

[...] the rise of Duterte, whose tough talk has reinforced perceptions that he could become a strongman, is a reality check on the extent of public dissatisfaction and perceived failures during the reformist Aquino’s watch.

Under Aquino, the government expanded a program that provides cash to the poorest of the poor in exchange for commitments by parents to ensure their children would attend classes and receive government health care.