Mindanao has shattered the Tagalog-Pampango grip on political power. That’s good.

The oft-repeated narrative about Mr. Duterte’s seemingly improbably presidential victory was its launching place. Not from the Senate, not from the office of the Vice President, not from a Cabinet post but from a city hall. The last time people talked about a major city as a presidential launching pad was in the 1961 presidential election. Manila Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson was about to make history as the first mayor to transition into the presidency with overwhelming support when fate – a cardiac arrest rather – decided otherwise.

Premium + Digital Edition

Ad-free access


P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
  • Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
  • Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)

TRY FREE FOR 14 DAYS
See details
See details