Big waves have smashed a passenger boat into rocky outcrops and sunk the vessel in stormy weather in the south-western Philippines, killing at least five people, officials said today.

The son of Corazon Aquino had a wide lead in the Philippines’ presidential elections today after campaigning on a promise to restore the government’s credibility by prosecuting corrupt officials.

At least four people were killed and 15 injured as a strong earthquake rocked the southern Philippines early today, destroying buildings and cutting off electricity, officials said.