Duterte wins Time magazine’s poll of world’s most influential people

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The president was the clear leader in the poll, taking five per cent of all votes cast

President Duterte has topped the annual TIME 100 Reader Poll, the magazine announced today (Monday, April 17).

As we previously reported, the Punisher president took an early lead in the poll, which seeks to identify the world’s 100 most influential people.

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When voting closed last evening, Duterte had garnered five per cent of votes cast, ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pope Francis, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg who all attracted three per cent of votes.

Last year’s winner was Donald Trump, who Duterte praised for “deep thinking” yesterday. Speaking to an audience of expat Filipino workers in Doha, he said: “Trump is a realist and a pragmatic thinker. Trump is profound even if he does not seem to be one. Just like me, I am not that bright but I am very deliberate. I really think it over before I curse you.”

Commenting on the poll result, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “What makes President Rodrigo R Duterte so admired by Filipinos and international leaders alike is his national agenda,” adding that he prioritises “public interest first and foremost, especially the needs and aspirations of the poor and common people.

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“With or without the distinction, the president continues to be a hardworking government worker and faithful servant of the Filipino people. Indeed Filipinos find in the president a kindred spirit – a leader who acts for the common good

In the online survey, readers were asked who they thought should be featured in the list by clicking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in a gallery of 114 pre-determined personalities. The poll ran from March 24 until yesterday.

The magazine said the official TIME 100 list – determined by the magazine’s editors – will be featured in its next edition, due out on Friday, April 21.

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