There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. I think that is kind of pass., But at the very least a Bongbong Marcos presidency will signal that the countrys problem with dynastic politics is worse than ever. Bongbong Marcos Jnr and his family face arrest in the US for defying a court order to pay US$353 million to human rights victims. But, certainly, he set a seemingly unbreakable record. Still, Marcos gained favor among Filipinos with his populist agenda. He may support a stratified media ecosystem, split between friendly organizations granted access to the halls of power and critical ones, banished from Malacanangs antechambers. Or at the very least, that its not important, says Antonio La Via, former dean of the Ateneo School of Government. Thats why Duterte won, not because hes really good, but he convinced people that hes really the guy who gets things done. If you look at how he crafted his campaign, Rafael said, they were very good at playing the long game.. In the race to replace outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, the latest polling shows that the 64-year-old Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is maintaining a significant, if slightly receding,. Theater of popular music. Marcos was also seen by voters as the candidate with a clear plan for solving the countrys problems (38%), has good leadership qualities (38%), and defense the territories of the Philippines against China (39%). Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital (an article by cire oiraunay) i deeply cried when i discovered this very shocking truthful history of the greatness and brilliance of our beloved former president ferdinand e. marcos sr. then, he said: "i have committed many sins in my life. Here are some of them: Marcos taught us to disdain and reject bullies Ferdinand Marcos was not the first, or the last, president to abuse his power. Thats why theyre keeping him in a refrigerated vault. His familys popularity saw a recent resurgence largely driven by social media. His pledge of better roads, more accessible internet, lower utility and food costs, and a desire to unite the Philippines seemed to sway voters, Villaraza said. His return to power will raise more questions than answers and provoke rage so that instead of moving forward, people will be litigating unanswered questions to a past that continues to be present. A huge factor in 2022, of course, is the reach of social media and the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. Read More: The Philippines Problem With Dynastic Politics. Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno declared that he has completely moved on after his defeat in the 2022 presidential elections, reason why he agreed to play the role of the late opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in the upcoming film "Martyr or Murderer" (MoM) where Sen. Imee Marcos is the executive and creative producer. Only in the Philippines could yellow confetti become a symbol of protest. It's a smart choice. Three years later, Aquinos widow, Corazon Aquino, challenged Marcos for president in an election marred by fraud. The Marcos myths of a strong and stable nationand of being misunderstood victims who could thus relate with anyones social and economic victimhoodwould resonate in many countries. His opponents find it hard to chip away from that perception. Independent media outlets were also shut down. After the latter was deposed, the Philippine government under Cory Aquino announced it had succeeded in identifying $860.8 million squirrelled away by Marcos and his wife Imelda. This week, wearing all red and clutching a rosary, the 92-year-old Marcos matriarch cast a vote for her son in the presidential election. Marcos, known as "Bongbong", is the namesake and only son of the late strongman who ruled for almost two decades until overthrown in 1986 by a peaceful popular revolt. Marcos Jr.s 2022 presidential campaign advocates unity as a means of lifting the country from the economic doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic. Platforms instead need to work collaboratively with academics and legal experts for strategic policy advocacy. Specifically, unity against the ruling oligarchs. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Fatima Gaw, assistant professor of communication research at the University of the Philippines, says its almost impossible to distinguish between propaganda and genuine support on such platforms. He believes without question YouTube videos about the tonnes of Marcos gold stashed away in some vault. To his supporters, this decision is perfectly understandable, and reinforces the "biased-media" narrative his campaign has cultivated. These polling agencies are legit. Marcos Jr. also benefits from an existing power base in the northern provinces, in a country where politics is inherently dynastic. Marcos Jr. has perfected the art of fabrication and exaggeration, claiming credit where there was none. Presidents who came after Marcos certainly ran into this problem. It's a rather vague promise, amplified on social media. Rappler.com. Please try again. he'll be the first Philippine leader who cannot set foot in . (This is an updated version of a list six years ago, which clearly is worth revisiting. A great leader doesnt need to influence someone with hate, says 20-year-old voter Azcune. They were friends after all. But, more importantly, people want a leader who gets things done. For too long, progressives have taken for granted that facts in themselves are sufficient. It's a smart choice. He has never recognized the wrongdoing that took place under the Marcos watch; has never apologized for it, sought pardon, nor provided restitution to countless victims and their loved ones whose lives had been shattered. Of course, Willie Nepomucenos career faced a crisis when Marcos was kicked out of the country, and later died. Despite this message, he has become the most divisive candidate in the race. More than three decades later, in October 2021, the late dictators son and namesake, 64-year-old Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., announced his intention to become the next president of the Philippines. Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., the presumptive president of the Philippines, at a campaign rally in Quezon City in April. In a closed-door briefing on Wednesday, February 16, research consultancy firmStratbase ADR Institute said based on a Social Weather Stations survey, Marcos is the candidate voters see the most as having the characteristic that a candidate for a national post should posses. By providing an email address. This was the last public appearance by Marcos and his family before exile. He has teamed up with the daughter of outgoing populist President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte, who is running for vice-president. Critics say a Bongbong Marcos victory would pose a huge threat to Philippine democracy. Tech platforms must now tread very carefully under a leader determined to rewrite his familysand the nationshistory. Image Credit:. And thank you very much for this hospitality. His campaign portrayed him as a champion of the poor about one-fifth of Filipinos live in extreme poverty. In fact, there are reasons why we should be grateful to the dictator. Its been done so much. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who is set to become the president of the Philippines after winning the elections, comes to the job with a controversial family history. He has engaged the services of consultants and social media experts on the brand rehabilitation of the Marcos name. That makes them vulnerable to disinformation and fake news. The nightmare of his 21 years in power still haunts us today, a powerful, constant reminder of a chapter in our history that must never be repeated. Today, many believe the 21 years under Marcos, including a 14-year one-man rule, as the Golden Era. and On Feb. 25, 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, from nuns to office workers, occupied one of the Philippine capitals main arteriesthe culmination of a four-day mass protest dubbed the People Power Revolution. It was unlike anything Asia, or the world, had seen before. On this note, and based on a survey ahead of the office election period, presidential race frontrunner Bongbong Marcos Jr. was seen as the candidate who possesses the characteristics voters are looking for in the next countrys leader. He had already given a number presidential debates a pass. But then, once back in school, my schoolmates and I had to learn these new weird songs about the new order and how everything was great about the regime and about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Rob Reyes/Rappler. He was so good with his Marcos impersonation, that during the critical hours of the People Power Revolt, when the dictator appeared on TV to prove he was still in charge, there were those who believed it was a ploy with the popular comedian in the starring role. Even historians are bewildered at this reversal of narratives. Military officers defected in support of Aquino, who was sworn in on Feb. 25, 1986. The oppositions standard-bearer, Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo (the only female candidate in a 10-way race), is a distant second, at 20%. Heis a poster boy for the most well-heeled Filipinos falling for disinformation. The elites have been doing that for generations well before he came to power. Story has it that the legendary haul of the yellow metal supposedly owned by the family of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr would finally be given back to the Filipino people. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our, Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com, Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number. Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos (left) and San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook) "Alam natin kung ano ang . Both on your website and other media. But then again, after what Marcos did, Filipinos are rightfully suspicious of anyone wanting to fool around with laws meant to prevent power-hungry politicians. All Rights Reserved. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has promised the Philippine people "unifying leadership," despite his family's dark and divisive legacy. Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. Disinformation is a subset of misinformation, but which is deliberately deceptive. If, however, by a stroke of miracle, both Vice President Robredo and Mayor Sara Duterte win the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, it would be historic: and it would be first time ever that a country would have the top two posts taken by women. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. Marcos Jr. was 8 years old when his father was elected president in 1965. Various clans from across the Philippines have also pledged support for the Uniteam ticket. Bloomberg Surveillance, covering the latest news in finance, economics and investments. Unofficial results from Mondays election show Marcos Jr., 64, capturing more than 31 million votes, double that of his closest rival, current Vice President Leni Robredo, with other candidates trailing far behind, including retired boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. Bush to Manila to praise Marcos adherence to democratic principles. A few years later, the dictator was gone. The Marcoses are back from being pariahs, knocking on the gates of Malacanang Palace. Ong is an associate professor of global digital media at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and fellow at Harvard University's Shorenstein Center. In all of his campaigns and rallies he never really intended to make fun of others, or he never maligned anyone.. The coming election is far too important to leave to chance; in the end, our choice is really about who we are as a people. The education system did not teach the martial law experience properly, historicallyso that means that voters born after 1986 can easily be convinced that all of that was not true. Besides, todays generation, dont care much about what happened in the past. It is for this reason that I would like to present 10 reasons why I believe Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. is unfit for the presidency. Canned slogans of unity and positivity during his campaign might mean that he will eschew any high-profile quarrels with rival political families. The biggest clans in politics and the parties theyre part of are in the alliance. Graphic noted that this network began in 2016 but its Philippines cluster was found to have started in March 2018, growing through 2019 and 2020. Manhit pointed out that based on research, only 1 in 4 Filipinos would not vote for a candidate from a political dynasty. One to sawa dynasty, anyone? To be honest, I dont think attacking Marcos (Jr) will be very useful, for the (opposition) campaign anymore. Click to reveal And so I doubt the Philippines will move towards a 20th century-style dictatorship. But he has decided to look the other way. I am extremely pleased. Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., presidential candidate and son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, greets supporters during a rally in Las Pias City, suburban Manila, on March 13, 2022. Theres been too much talk about an apology from the Marcoses. Two years later, Imelda Marcos was allowed to return to the Philippines, where she ran for president twice unsuccessfully before winning a seat in the countrys Congress four times, most recently in 2016. The late President Ferdinand Marcos waves goodbye to supporters from the balcony of Malacaang Palace in Manila following his oath-taking ceremony as victor in the Philippine Presidential snap elections, Feb. 25 1986. He entered politics for the first time in his home province of Ilocos Norte in 1981, as a 23-year-old vice-governor. (Pro-Marcos military personnel would later be convicted in Aquinos death.). Marcos Sr, who ruled the country for 21 years, was deposed in 1986 in a civilian-backed military coup. But his ultimate target is history itself. During that time, dissidents and political opponents were jailed and described being tortured and sexually abused by soldiers. Ronald Reagan, as California governor, struck an alliance with Marcos that stretched into his own presidency. The repression lasted for nine years. Given his record of delaying and obstructing the return of ill-gotten wealth to our country, it is hard to imagine that he can lead efforts to repay the trillions of pesos that the Philippines now owes, in large part due to the pandemic-induced downturn in our economy. Theres former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Senator Bong Revilla of Lakas-CMD, and former president Erap Estradas son Jinggoy Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, to name a few. Bongbong Marcos became a senator in 2010, and ran for vice president in 2016, albeit unsuccessfully. Voters have been swayed by his decision to stay out of the mudslinging, and they approve of his promise to unite the country while continuing with the legacy of Rodrigo Duterte. Bongbong touted a "unifying leadership", which would supposedly . In a way, Marcos was right. In sorties, they proclaim that through unity under Marcos Jr., the country would be great again and that the Uniteam tandem stands as the winners. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the most multilingual president of the Philippines, being able to speak ten languages. With Marcos Jr. having studied internationally he attended programs at Oxford University in England and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, but did not finish either, according to Reuters he is likely to take a softer stance with the U.S. and other Western allies, Rafael said. The strongest backers of BBM are not just the well-heeled like Dr Peralta but also the poorest of the poor. Scientists say not only would such technology change humanity, but that we could have built one by now. Thats probably why Bongbong Marcos wants Filipinos to forget about what happened to us during his fathers reign. Read More: How the Son of a Dictator Became So Popular in the Philippines. Image Credit: Malacanang Museum and Library. By recasting himself as the victim of elite historians and academicsas the victim, even, of the activists who survived torture and abuse during his fathers dictatorshipMarcos shows that false victimhood claims can effectively appeal to an anxious public when packaged in compelling myth and melodrama. (2) His demand for results even when he met with other heads of government. The glint of celebrity also didnt hurt. But the countrys weak legal system means those able pay the best lawyers can get away with high crimes. Instead of differentiating themselves by highlighting their record and capabilities, other candidates have engaged in a pack attack to try and take Marcos Jr down. It shows the primacy of trolls in fanning false hopes, and the dire need for maturity among voters. Presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno had earlier expressed openness to getting President Dutertes support and even considered including him in his senate lineup before the president eventually withdrew his candidacy. It shows how the toxic combination of online trolling and the politics of nostalgia have conspired to shape public opinion. The good reason why Marcos started Martial Law is because he is protecting the country against communism. We can thank Marcos and Imelda for this. I must reiterate again that I was first here in Malacaan Palace when President Marcos was the President, as the young Minister of Agriculture, and how pleased I am to be back here with Marcos Jr. Bongbong to be there. The Marcos family returned from exile in 1991 and began to astutely revamp its image. Ed Garcia is a framer of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a former researcher at the international secretariat of Amnesty International, and a peace envoy at International Alert. 'Bongbong' is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted by a people's uprising in 1986 The latest polls show Bongbong as the favorite pick for VP CNN It's been 30 years. Marcos Jr's deliberate non-appearance in major presidential debates may seem, to many, as a lost opportunity. But now, the Mayor of the southern city of Davao, is campaigning for Marcos, whose family has dominated politics in the countrys north for decades. But he has done nothing to right these wrongs. ), Visit the Kuwento page on Facebook at www.facbook.com/boyingpimentel. Imelda Marcos and Marcos Jr. still face a $353 million contempt judgment in the U.S. in a class-action over the elder Marcos rights abuses, and members of the Marcos family are also defendants in at least 40 lawsuits related to their wealth, Reuters reported this month. By providing an email address. Filipinos long for strong leaders who can deliver. 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Reagan, as a lost opportunity campaigns and rallies he never really intended to make fun others... Other heads of Government not important, says 20-year-old voter Azcune not important, says La... Unity and positivity during his campaign portrayed him as a champion of the Marcos name theyre keeping him a! & # x27 ; ll be the first Philippine leader who can not set foot in was none time.