ALL THAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, son of former dictator, runs for president of the Philippines

The 64-year-old, who is popularly known as ‘Bongbong’, had long been touted as a candidate. He narrowly lost a bid for the vice-presidency in 2016

He has served as provincial governor, congressman and senator since his return in 1991 from exile following his father’s 1986 overthrow

Reuters in Manila
Published: 5:04pm, 5 Oct, 2021

Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his wife, Louise, left, and his sister Imee, right, pictured in 2018. Photo: Reuters

The son and namesake of the Philippines’ former dictator Ferdinand Marcos announced on Tuesday he will run for president in next year’s elections, ending months of speculation over his political ambitions.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, who is popularly known as “Bongbong”, had been touted as a potential candidate for either the presidency or the vice-presidency, having been involved in politics since his return in 1991 from exile following his father’s 1986 overthrow.

“Join me in this noblest of causes and we will succeed. Together, we will rise again,” the 64-year-old said in a speech streamed on social media. “I will bring … unifying leadership back to our country.”

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at a press conference in 2016, the year of his failed vice-presidential run. Photo: AP

Marcos Jnr has served as provincial governor, congressman and senator and ran unsuccessfully for the vice-presidency in 2016, a defeat he challenged in the courts. His sister Imee is a senator and mother Imelda a former congresswoman.

Marcos Jnr was in second place behind incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Sara, in a recent PulseAsia Research survey of voter preference, though she has denied plans to run.

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He is the fourth candidate to announce a run for the presidency, joining a growing field of contenders seeking to replace Duterte, who is not permitted to run for a second term under the constitution, and has decided to retire.

Manila City mayor Francisco Domagoso registered on Monday, following newly retired boxing icon

Manny Pacquiao. Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief, also intends to run.

Marcos Jnr on Tuesday took an oath as chairman of a political party that had earlier nominated him as its presidential candidate.

His tilt for the country’s highest office comes even as the 1970s martial rule era of the elder Marcos is fresh in many minds.

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, left, and his wife Imelda pictured in 1985.

 Photo: AFP

His family, one of the most famous in the Philippines, has long sought to rebuild its image and has repeatedly denied allegations it plundered billions of dollars of state wealth when in power, which ended in a People’s Power uprising.

Marcos Jnr’s failed bid for the vice presidency in 2016, which he narrowly lost to Leni Robredo, was a blow for the family, which had gone into exile in the
United States after the patriarch’s humiliating downfall in 1986.

He and his wife Imelda were accused of massive corruption while in power.

Marcos Jnr accused Robredo of electoral fraud and spent nearly five years waging a legal battle challenging the vote. The country’s top court  dismissed the protest in February.

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“Let us bring Filipinos back to one another in service of our country, facing the crisis and the challenges of the future together,” Marcos Jnr said on Tuesday.

If Marcos Jnr’s presidential bid succeeds, it would be a remarkable political comeback for the family.

Imelda has said previously she dreams of her son – a senator from 2010 to 2016 – becoming the country’s leader.

Duterte is an ally of the Marcos family, which got a boost from his 2016 election victory. His government gave the ex-dictator’s remains a hero’s burial and publicly floated the idea of winding down the hunt for his hidden wealth.

Analysts predict a possible alliance between Marcos Jnr and the president’s daughter for the 2022 election, which they say would be a formidable combination attracting votes from their respective strongholds in the north, centre and south of the country.

Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City Mayor and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who analysts predict may form an alliance with Marcos Jnr. 

Photo: Reuters

The Philippines’ election season kicked off on Friday as celebrities and political scions flocked to the offices of the elections commission to file their nominations.

The process launches a typically noisy and deadly seven months of campaigning for more than 18,000 positions.

But the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic downturn caused by lockdowns is expected to dampen the atmosphere.

Additional reporting by Agence-France Presse