Pro-Democracy Candidate To Win Presidential Election in Philippines

Sen. Benigno Aquino III, the son of the Philippines' pro-democracy icons, was headed for victory in the country's presidential election, according to early tallies.

Photo: Pro-Democracy Candidate To Win Presidential Election in Philippines

Aquino, 50, had won 41 percent of the ballots as of Monday night, the Commission on Elections said in Manila. Former president Joseph Estrada had 26 percent, and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. had 14 percent, Washington Post informs.

There is no runoff in the Philippines, and whoever has the most votes is declared winner. In his first public remarks after Monday's vote, Aquino thanked Filipinos for the huge support and said he would deliver on a campaign promise to fight corruption and government malaise.

"I will not only not steal, but I'll have the corrupt arrested," Aquino told a news conference in his northern home province of Tarlac, The Associated Press reports.