The Presidential race in The Philippines is fast approaching its day of reckoning with polls set for May 9th. We share a long and very porous sea-border with this ASEAN neighbour, in what is a politically volatile region. Indeed The Philippines’ claim to Sabah continues to animate the politics there especially in the Muslim-dominated South. Today we look at the controversial front runner, what a Détente win would mean for the region and the economy of The Philippines.

This report is by Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan.