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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Politics
Ted Regencia

COVID tames race to replace Duterte as Philippine president

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo gestures to a crowd of people supporting her presidential bid in the coming May 2022 polls [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]

Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines – Wading through a crowd of supporters, Vice President Leni Robredo moved carefully as a group of teens started to gather around her, hoisting their phone cameras, ready to take selfies. The presidential candidate obliged her mask-wearing fans as her staff repeatedly reminded the growing crowd to keep their distance because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Other supporters stood by, waving hand-made posters and rose-coloured banners with Robredo’s image, shouting her name in unison. Their voices were drowned out by the booming live music playing for a dance troupe that was swaying and twirling in native costume as it welcomed the Philippines’ highest-ranking female official.

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