The son of the late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday claimed victory in the presidential election, vowing to be a leader “for all Filipinos”, his spokesman said. With an initial count almost complete, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, popularly known as “Bongbong,” has secured over 56 percent of the vote and more than double the tally of his nearest rival, liberal Leni Robredo.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The win is an astonishing reversal in the fortunes of the Marcos family, who have gone from the presidential palace to pariahs and back again in the space of a few decades.
“To the world, he says: Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions,” spokesman Vic Rodriguez said in a statement.
Voters had been predicted to back Marcos by a landslide in Monday’s election, boosted by the online whitewashing of the family’s past, the backing of powerful political dynasties, and public disenchantment with post-dictatorship governments.
For years pro-Marcos accounts have flooded social media, leaving many young Facebook-educated Filipinos believing his father’s rule was a golden period of peace and prosperity.
In reality, Marcos senior left the Philippines bankrupt and killed, tortured, and jailed tens of thousands of opponents during his corrupt dictatorship.
Hours after his thumping victory Marcos Jr visited his father’s grave at the national heroes’ cemetery in Manila.
Photos posted on official Marcos social media accounts on Wednesday showed him standing before the oversized tomb with his head slightly bowed and covering his eyes with his right hand as if crying.
“This is a victory for all Filipinos and for democracy,” Rodriguez said in the statement.
“To those who voted for Bongbong and those who did not, it is his promise to be a President for all Filipinos. To seek common ground across political divides, and to work together to unite the nation.”
The Marcos family’s astounding journey from ignominy back to political favor has overshadowed questions about what Marcos’ administration would do.
There were few hints on the campaign trail after Marcos snubbed televised debates and largely avoided media interviews as he sought to avoid his own goals.
