Duterte won the ballots of nearly 40 percent of 44 million voters, lured by his success against crime in Davao, despite the questions his policies raised among human rights campaigners.

It was not until the middle of the 20th century that Italy began to reconstitute its foundations and embark on an economic miracle. In many ways, the Philippines is caught in the same interregnum.

MANILA, Philippines -- In the Philippines presidential election this week, many of the voters felt that enough was enough. The Aquino administration was a disappointment to many. Most cast their votes for change -- the more radical, the better.

Rodrigo Duterte's truculent defiance of political tradition has drawn comparisons with U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, as have his references to his libido.

Will the Philippines fall into a Machiavellian cyclical history as it did in the 20th century or, instead, embark on a Hegelian march towards the terminus of genuine democracy?