MANILA Benigno Aquino was declared the winner of the Philippine presidential elections on Tuesday, nearly a month after voters went to the polls embracing his pledge to fight corruption and ease deep poverty.

Following a drawn-out vote tallying process, parliament finally released the complete count showing the 50-year-old son of democracy heroes had won the May 10 elections in a landslide.

Aquino secured just over 15.2 million votes, or nearly 42 per cent of the total number cast for the most emphatic victory in modern Philippine political history, according to the results released by legislators.

Former president Joseph Estrada finished well back in second place, more than 4.7 million votes behind.

Parliament is set to officially proclaim Aquino the winner on Wednesday.

He will take over from outgoing President Gloria Arroyo, who will step down on June 30 as one of the nations most unpopular leaders in modern Philippine politics after nearly a decade in power.—AFP