These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. By evening, the authoritarian regime of ailing President Ferdinand Marcos endedwith Marcos leaving for exile in Hawaii along with his wife and children. 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. And nuns praying the rosary in front of tanks? subscription, Philippine court orders arrest of ex-first lady Imelda Marcos for graft, Marcos wealth spread all over Europe - lawyer, Philippines: 523% increase in internet speed, Philippines: 5,000% surge in digital payments in the time of COVID-19, Clark Airport: Rising travel hub 85km north of Manila, Sinking Philippine tanker sparks diesel spill, Marcos urges military to focus on South China Sea, Unpaid taxes? Ferdinand Marcos Sr and his family including Bongbong Marcos Jr were forced into exile during the EDSA Revolution in 1986. The first time I met Imelda in person was when the UP Collegian staff interviewed her at the Manila Hotel in 1984. There's a perception that this has led to overpriced electricity, poor infrastructure (including slow internet), underinvestment in agriculture, marginalisation of the poor. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The good reason why Marcos started Martial Law is because he is protecting the country against communism. He has withheld the truth about the Marcos plunder before and during martial rule, which he has misrepresented as a "golden era." He knows from multiple accounts that these illicit funds are diversions made from foreign economic aid, US military assistance, and from public and private sources. Ironically, Marcos Jr and his family are, in fact, hounded by corruption issues. As authors of the first draft of history, the press are Marcos first target and an easy one. His son and his allies want us to forget what his regime did. Add languages. # marcos # era "the golden age of the armed forces of the philippines (afp), marcos era: 1970's - 1980's". Reagan even sent his Vice President George H.W. Manhit said candidates apart from Marcos Jr. should focus on building on their own strengths instead of hoping for a Duterte endorsement. Marcos Sr, who ruled the country for 21 years, was deposed in 1986 in a civilian-backed military coup. 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. Ferdinand Marcos died in Honolulu in 1989 at age 72. But thanks in part to a patient long-term project of brand rehabilitation on social media, and expedient power-brokering with the powerful Dutertes to unify forces against their liberal elite rivals, the family has made a successful comeback. We might also consider why progressives have failed to offer hurt and traumatized communities any satisfying narratives to address their concerns, leaving far-right media manipulators to have full control of information voids. Ong is an associate professor of global digital media at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and fellow at Harvard University's Shorenstein Center. Platforms instead need to work collaboratively with academics and legal experts for strategic policy advocacy. Early opinion polls show one important data point: The majority of Marcos supporters are those under 30, voters who were not born when his father imposed nationwide martial law and presided over human rights violations, corruption, and a massive economic slowdown. It's a rather vague promise, amplified on social media. He appears complicit as a beneficiary in the largest heist of public funds in our history, while abetting corruption among political allies given his association with convicted former presidents and former senators charged with serious offenses, who are supportive of his run. Already have Rappler+? Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. The younger Marcos also knows where to meet these supporters: his team engages with millions of users on social platformsespecially TikTok and Facebookboth inside the Philippines and abroad. We can thank Marcos and Imelda for this. He has withheld the truth about the Marcos plunder before and during martial rule, which he has misrepresented as a golden era. He knows from multiple accounts that these illicit funds are diversions made from foreign economic aid, US military assistance, and from public and private sources. In February 2021, the Supreme Court threw out BBMs electoral protest. Magazines, Digital Political scientists cite 8reasons why BBM enjoys an unprecedented +50% of voter preference, and why the struggling opposition should care to listen and tweak their campaign: The Tallano gold is part of a bigger narrative to distort history, and burnish the image of Marcoses, through trolls-for-hire armies sustaining a venomous anti-oligarch, and historical distortion campaign. And without Marcos, what would have happened to Willie Nepomuceno, undoubtedly one of the most talented Filipino humorists ever? Marcos Jr said so himself. Social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, where many Filipinos consume their information, were flooded with content casting martial law and life under the elder Marcos as a golden age., This directly informed many peoples understanding of martial law under his father presenting that history in a positive light, Villaraza said. But a major question remains whether Marcos Jr. will continue many of the policies under Duterte, who is a close ally, and potentially appease Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid the two countries territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2023. A ranking member of the House of Representatives believes that Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Bongbong Marcos has a "good heart" and is therefore worthy to lead the country. Overseas Filipino worker Sherina Erno doesnt plan on voting for Bongbong Marcos in the polls. Its been years in the making. Magazines, Sara Duterte, who is running for vice-president, Bongbong Marcos Takes Huge Lead in Philippine Election, Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, Or create a free account to access more articles, Why Bongbong Marcos, a Philippine Dictators Son, Leads the Race for the Presidency. Despite the billions of dollars worth of Chinese investments in the Philippines, the country still leans on the U.S. as its prime backer, with the U.S. military a major source of weapons and training. How does disinformation work in flesh and blood? Initial polls showed she was even ahead of Marcos Jr in the presidential race. When the opposition finally went to the grassroots and had a dialogue with Marcos supporters, it was inspiring, monumental, and important. 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. The underlying message: he will unite the country against the forces that kept the country weak and the people poor. The Marcoses, she says, have ruled with martial law for so long. And it's textbook case for running a well-oiled campaign. A great leader doesnt need to influence someone with hate, says 20-year-old voter Azcune. That night, at Reagans urging, Marcos conceded to Aquino and fled with his family to Hawaii. subscription, ePaper In unofficial election results announced on Tuesday, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is leading Leni Robredo, his main. Former dictator Ferdinand Marcos's son 'Bongbong' is on course to become the president of the Philippines in May 2022. . 2023 TIME USA, LLC. They have long maintained their innocence. The narrative today is Filipinos have come to take it as a given that all their politicians steal anyway. Please try again. At the launch of Bongbong Marcos campaign, a celebrity emcee rallied the crowd saying: We have a winner, the fight is over! The reason for the takedown: it violatedFacebooks policies against coordinated in-authentic behaviour the use of fake accounts, made to look real, in a coordinated campaign to promote messages or a political agenda. Marcos was perhaps the most charismatic of all Philippine presidents when democrats were still fashionable in elections and statecraft. IE 11 is not supported. Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access. They wrapped themselves up in this very strange bubble where only their supporters would hear what they had to say, which was nothing, Rafael said. Singapores former PM Lee Kuan Yew, used that term pillage to describe Marcos. The end of the Marcos era was only the beginning of the familys troubles. Ronald Reagan, as California governor, struck an alliance with Marcos that stretched into his own presidency. That makes them vulnerable to disinformation and fake news. In fact, there are reasons why we should be grateful to the dictator. Envoy: Japan, Australia may join patrols with US, PH. President Rodrigo Dutertes six-year single term ends on June 30, 2022. With only 67days left before some 67 million Filipino voters pick President Rodrigo Dutertes successor, Marcos Jr is way ahead of rivals. 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. Disinformation does play a role (in shaping voter preference), especially in the low-income communities, said De La Salle University Political Scientist Cleve Arguelles. They make a formidable team, and are headed for a landslide victory in the May 9 polls. He entered politics for the first time in his home province of Ilocos Norte in 1981, as a 23-year-old vice-governor. Please try again. Still, Marcos gained favor among Filipinos with his populist agenda. This is like just cementing the ruling class, La Via, the former dean of the Ateneo School of Government, says. Presidents who came after Marcos certainly ran into this problem. But it shows simple, diligent messaging works. This, it appears that Marcos Jr. has taken out an insurance policy to ensure that his term will not be cut short by Uncle Sam. But, more importantly, people want a leader who gets things done. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday called presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as "spoiled" and a "weak leader" as he spurned a coalition with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) headed by his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara . Marcos Jr. also benefits from an existing power base in the northern provinces, in a country where politics is inherently dynastic. The Constitution bars him from seeking a second term. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Authoritarian incumbents and exiles around the world are watching the Marcos comeback story with avid interest and have already been given a powerful takeaway. Its been done so much. Despite this message, he has become the most divisive candidate in the race. Here are some of them: Ferdinand Marcos was not the first, or the last, president to abuse his power. Read More: Imelda Marcos Has Had Part of Her Art Collection Seized. 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. 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. Theater of popular music. He also scored upwards of 30% in the perception that he has the proven ability to respond to future pandemics (32%), honors and respects the law (32%), is not beholden to anything who can influence his decisions (34%). 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%). For too long, progressives have taken for granted that facts in themselves are sufficient. Philanthropic foreign attempts to bolster the local liberal press, or support democratic organizations and opposition groups, will likely be attacked as unpatriotic by Marcos in the emotive language of nationalismas Duterte did before him and as Modi does in India. This could be a problem later one when the country does need to make changes in the basic law of the land. 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. The ultimate goal: catapult Marcos' namesake and only son Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, also known as "BBM", to crush his rivals in the May ballot, and succeed President Rodrigo Duterte. But still, given our experience with Marcos, theres a line, especially in national races, that I suspect candidates will not cross for fear of sparking a severe backlash. Theories on how to build a space elevator have been around for decades. After a maddening campaign season, which saw a polarized electorate disagree on everything from the methodology of opinion polls to the moral significance of showing up for public debates, voters in the Philippines have elected a new set of leaders. 60 minutes featuring the brightest minds on Wall Street, taking you through the most important hour of the trading day. Replacing him was Corazon Aquino, the widow of an assassinated pro-democracy opposition leader. Civility and respect toward his officials. It's a smart choice. Itmanifests the resentment many Filipinos have towards oligarchic stranglehold over the country's economy in the last 36 years since the EDSA revolt that ousted Marcos Sr. They are artfully compelling stories for the young and the excluded. Marcos Jrs commanding leads in most polls todaydoes not surprise political scientists here. 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%. Content takedowns and de-platforming alone will not solve the disinformation crisis in the Philippines or elsewhere. All Rights Reserved. Saddled with such a record, how can he ever bring about healing and unify our divided country? This is the biggest straw, and has proven to be the most effective weapon in the resurgence of the Marcos dynasty. 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why bongbong marcos is a great leader