President Duterte is leading an initial poll for Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people for 2017, Malacañang spokesperson Ernesto Abella disclosed on Monday, March 27.

“President Duterte is grateful to the Filipino people all over the world for their support for him and his agenda of real change in Philippine society,” he said in a text message. “As a public servant he serves the nation faithfully and without any thought of receiving any distinction. For him, the presidency begins and ends with public interest,” he added.

As of press time, Duterte maintained his lead in the poll since Time Magazine opened it in its website last Friday. The poll closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in the United States on April 19 or 11:59 a.m. April 20, Manila time.

The latest poll results showed Duterte with 4 percent of the online vote.

Following Duterte in the poll were Pope Francis, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and British actress Emma Watson, star of “Beauty and the Beast.”

All got 3 percent each.

Singers Lady Gaga and Beyonce, author J.K. Rowling, TV personality Oprah Winfrey, swimmer Michael Phelps, actress Viola Davis, and US President Donald Trump each got 2 percent.

A separate question on whether Duterte should be on the 2017 Time 100 drew the following response: 79 percent yes, 21 percent no.

A smiling Duterte had previously graced the cover of Time Magazine, where he was dubbed ‘The Punisher’ in its May 23, 2016, issue.

Other Filipino personalities who have made it to the cover of Time Magazine in the past are former President Cory Aquino and boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, in last year’s |Time’s most influential people for 2016 were former US President Barack Obama, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, China President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, Apple CEO Ted Cruz, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

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