Publisher of the lifestyle and business magazine Australian Filipina, Michelle Baltazar, tried her best to stay out of politics this election, but it’s proven inescapable. Her Facebook newsfeed has been clogged with friends posting passionately about Duterte.
"It’s divided the community. There are many pro-Duterte and many anti-Duterte, and they both have valid points," she told SBS. "I’ve never seen this much passion over elections ever."
So why are there voters supporting a candidate who’s been linked to extrajudicial killings and been widely compared to Donald Trump? Romeo Cayabyab, editor of The Filipino Australian, told SBS that Filipinos were voting for change.
“Filipinos are looking for a change, and Duterte has successfully packaged himself to be one who can deliver the change,” he said.
Ms Baltazar agrees, “Filipinos finally had it with the systemic corruption in government and Duterte has proven himself as the ally of the masses," she said.
Duterte’s harsh rhetoric about killing criminals, and his record as Mayor in Davao, has also resonated with some in Australia.
Rodrigo Duterte has become known for his harsh rhetoric and support for extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals. Source: AAP
“Practically every Filipino family has tragic stories of people they know who are addicts victimising their own families and neighbours, and sometimes preying upon strangers,” Sarah Vernon wrote in a post on Facebook.
"Many politicians have claimed to want to solve these problems, but none have - until Duterte," she said.
Human rights groups are concerned and allies are on edge, but Ms Baltazar said she is hopeful for change, “I would like to see him succeed and prove his doubters wrong.”
Ms Baltazar views comparisons with US Republican nominee Donald Trump as grossly unfair, especially given Duterte is actually left of centre. Mr Cayabyab, however, sees similarities.
"A very insightful comparison. Like Trump - who was observed to have 'sobered up' during his acceptance speech as the presumptive Republican candidate - who knows, Duterte may also mellow," he said.
Mr Cayabyab said he was disappointed with Duterte's election, but said he respected the will of the people.
“We would have a disturbing situation if Duterte will maintain his position of not respecting human rights,” he said.
Malcolm Davis, Senior Security Analyst at the Australian Institute for Strategic Policy, said human rights concerns had the potential to drive a wedge between the Philippines and its allies, risking major instability in the region.
But Malcolm Cook, fellow at the Lowy Institute, was less fearful.
“Duterte has promised to radically change the direction of the Philippines, politically and socially, even publicly considering the need for a revolutionary government,” Mr Cook told SBS, “[He] may find that he had much more latitude as Mayor of Davao City than he does as President of the Philippines.”
Mr Cook predicts Duterte’s more extreme policies will be blocked or moderated by the political process, and that results in senate and local races show more political stability.
Mr Cayabyab said he hoped that was the case. “The future of the relationship of the Philippines with Australia or with other countries will depend, to a greater extent, on how strong the two other branches of the government (judicial and legislative) would be.”
Whatever happens, expats in Australia will be watching closely.
“For as long as the Philippines is under his administration, it will affect us - we just don't know how as yet,” Ms Baltazar said.
