As head of the main opposition party in the Philippines, Vice-President Leni Robredo is vying to replace President Rodrigo Duterte when he steps down in 2022.

But she must first hurdle a challenge from her rival, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son and namesake of the late dictator, who is contesting her election as vice-president via a manual recount of votes. That will not be settled for another six months.

Ms Robredo, a lawyer and economist, rode on the crest of her late husband’s popularity.

Her husband, former interior secretary Jesse Robredo, died in a plane crash in 2012. In 1988, Mr Robredo, then 29, became the youngest mayor elected in the Philippines. A public holiday named after him marks his death anniversary.

Mr Duterte has refused to appoint Ms Robredo to a Cabinet post, a courtesy traditionally accorded the vice-president. He has accused her of conniving with his critics to unseat him

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