Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed victory in the 2022 elections in the Philippines on Wednesday, saying that “people spoke decisively,” according to a statement from its spokesperson.
Known as “Bongbong” in the Philippines, Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator, has vowed to be a “president for all Filipinos,” said Victor Rodriguez, his chief of staff and spokesman.
With 98% of the votes counted, Marcos Jr. received 31 million votes compared to his closest rival, outgoing vice president Leni Robredo, who garnered around 14 million, showed partial and unofficial results.
“In historic numbers, the people used their democratic vote to unite our nation,” the statement said. “This is a victory for all Filipinos and for democracy to unite the nation.”
Mark Jr. campaigned on a “unity” platform, promising more jobs, lower prices and more investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
Speaking at a post-election press conference, Marcos Jr. said his intention was to “start with everything”, adding that choosing a team to manage the economy would be among the first crucial steps.
“As you can imagine, economic managers will be critical in the coming years because of the pandemic and the economic crisis, something that we are looking at very carefully,” he said.
The victory, if confirmed, would return the Marcos family to power more than 30 years after being forced to flee the country in disgrace following a popular power revolution that toppled the Marcos senior regime in 1986.
Marcos Sr., whose 21-year rule was marred by human rights abuses and widespread corruption, died in exile in Hawaii three years later, but his family returned to the Philippines in 1991, becoming wealthy and influential politicians, with successive members of the family representing their dynastic stronghold of Ilocos Norte.
Analysts say the rise of Marcos Jr. it is the culmination of a decades-long attempt to rename the Marcos family’s name and image, most recently through an overworked social media campaign.
Despite tying his campaign to his father’s legacy with the slogan “ascend again”, Marcos Jr. asked the world to judge him by his actions, not his family’s past.
“To the world, he says: judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions,” Rodriguez said in the statement.
Robredo, who has said he will not budge until election irregularities are verified, urged his supporters to accept the results of the May 9 election.
“Whatever the results, we will accept it because it will bring a greater force that can unite us,” Robredo said during a thanksgiving mass at Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, according to the statement. CNN.
She announced a meeting for her supporters on May 13. On Tuesday (10), presidential candidates Manny Pacquiao, former boxing champion, and Isko Moreno, mayor of Manila and former actor, gave in.
Hundreds of protesters, including students and members of progressive groups, gathered outside the Philippine electoral commission in the capital Manila on Tuesday, holding banners and chanting slogans in protest against Marcos and what they said were election irregularities.
The electoral commission (Comelec) rejected allegations of electoral fraud on Tuesday.
Critics of Marcos Jr. are outraged by what they say is a whitewashing of Philippine history and an attempt by the Marcos family to rewrite the abuses and corruption committed during their father’s dictatorship.
Tens of thousands of people were arrested, tortured or killed during the period of martial law from 1972 to 1981 under Marcos Sr., according to human rights groups.
The Philippine Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG), charged with recovering the family’s illicit wealth, estimates that about $10 billion was stolen from the Filipino people. Dozens of cases are still active.
The Marcos family has repeatedly denied abuse under martial law and using state funds for their personal use. Activists say the Marcos were never fully accounted for and victims of martial law are still fighting for justice.
Marcos Jr’s running mate for vice president is Sara Duterte Carpio, daughter of former populist leader Rodrigo Duterte.
While many of his policies are unclear, it is expected that Marcos Jr. continue Duterte’s policies on infrastructure and his controversial “war on drugs.”
Partial and unofficial results show that Duterte Carpio will win the vice presidency, elected in a separate presidential race, by an overwhelming majority.
On Wednesday, Marcos Jr. said she would name Duterte Carpio as secretary of education, saying she is a “mother who wants to make sure her children are well trained and well educated and that is the best motivation we can hope for.”
His appointment would need to be confirmed by the country’s Nominating Commission.
Source: CNN Brasil
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