Duterte builds unassailable lead at 15.8 million

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 14; First published May 9, 6:24 p.m.) - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte maintained a commanding lead in the presidential race, breaching over 15 million votes in unofficial tally days after the May 9 polls.

A tally of unofficial results from the Commission on Elections transparency server as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday shows that Duterte garnered 15.82 million votes at  95.35 percent of voting precincts' numbers transmitted as of 5:45 a.m on Wednesday.

Second and third-placed presidential bets Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and Sen. Grace Poe have already conceded defeat in the race.

READ: Mar Roxas: Digong, I wish you success l Grace Poe concedes to Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte's harshest critic also conceded that the mayor, known for his off-color sexual remarks and pledges to kill criminal suspects, had emerged the unquestioned winner.

"I will not be the party pooper at this time of a festive mood," Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who has filed a plunder complaint against Duterte, told The Associated Press. "I will step back, listen to his policy pronouncements. This time we don't expect a stand-up comedy act but a president who will address the nation."

U.S. on Philippines's president-elect: We respect people's choice

On Tuesday, U.S. officials parried questions about whether they had concerns about Duterte's record.

"Washington respects the choice of the Philippines' people. We will gladly work with the leader they've selected," State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the U.S. looked forward to "strengthening and deepening" ties with the Philippines, which he hailed as a "vibrant democracy" that helps the U.S. on maritime security. He commended the Philippines on its smooth election.

Duterte has not articulated an overall foreign policy, but has described himself as a socialist wary of the U.S.-Philippine security alliance. He has worried members of the armed forces by saying that communist rebels could play a role in his government.

He has also been compared to Donald Trump, the U.S. Republican presumptive presidential nominee, for his propensity for inflammable statements.

Softer side

The tough-talking mayor displayed his softer side early Wednesday when he visited his parents' tomb in a Davao cemetery to pay homage to them. He stood in front of the tomb with his right hand on it and wept.

"Help me Mom," he said in the local Bisaya dialect as he sobbed quietly. "I'm just a nobody."

The 71-year-old mayor has not spoken publicly since casting his vote Monday, and remained at his home in Davao, on the southern main island of Mindanao. - Philstar.com with reports from the Associated Press