When Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was sworn in as president in June 2022, it wasn’t just the start of a new political chapter for the Philippines.
It was the revival of a family name once synonymous with dictatorship, excess, and exile. Now, more than three decades after his father was ousted by a historic uprising, the younger Marcos finds himself as the country’s chief executive.
President Marcos’ political career started back in the 1980s, during his father’s authoritarian rule, he was appointed vice governor and later governor of Ilocos Norte, a province loyal to the Marcoses. But in 1986, when the People Power Revolution forced the family to flee to Hawaii, any aspirations of staying in power were cut short.
After his father’s death in 1989, Bongbong returned to the Philippines in 1991 and quickly entered politics, winning a congressional seat the next year.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he solidified his place in Ilocos Norte and in the national political landscape. His Senate win in 2010 further cemented his presence, though his tenure wasn’t without controversy.
In 2016, Mr. Marcos sought the vice presidency, a step that could lead him to the presidency. His campaign, marked by catchy slogans and promises of national unity, heavily relied on nostalgia for his father’s regime, however, he narrowly lost to Leni Robredo.
Marcos initiated a lengthy legal challenge alleging election fraud. Although his efforts failed, they kept him in the public eye and allowed him to strengthen his support for a larger campaign.
In 2021, Mr. Marcos announced his candidacy for president, this time backed by an alliance with Sara Duterte, daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.
His campaign was nothing short of a political masterstroke—mixing nostalgia with promises of a better future. For many Filipinos, especially younger generations who didn’t live through the martial law years, the Marcos name carried less baggage.
He won the 2022 election in a landslide, despite protests and vocal opposition
Since taking office, President Marcos has had to walk a tightrope between honoring his campaign promises and confronting the unresolved legacy of his father’s rule.
He’s faced pressure to address corruption, improve the economy, and tackle longstanding social issues.
Yet, for all his efforts, Bongbong’s presidency remains deeply polarizing. But supporters see him as a unifying force, someone who can lead the country into a brighter future.
