MANILA: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won a shocking sweeping victory in the Philippines’ presidential election on Monday (May 9), the first majority victory since his late father’s two-decade dictatorship was overthrown in 1986.
An unofficial tally indicated Marcos, widely known as “Bongbong,” had exceeded the 27.5 million votes required for a majority, paving the way for the Marcos family’s once-unthinkable return to govern, 36 years after its humiliating retreat into exile during a “people power” rebellion.
“I hope you don’t get tired of trusting us,” Marcos said in remarks broadcast on Facebook, a site key to his electoral approach.
“We have a lot to accomplish,” he remarked, adding that “an endeavor this enormous does not involve one individual.”
According to the unofficial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) result, Marcos Jr received 29.9 million votes, more than doubling that of Vice President Leni Robredo, with 93.8 percent of eligible ballots counted. The turnout was at 80%.
An formal decision is expected by the end of the month.
Despite its demise, the Marcos family returned from exile in the 1990s and has remained a formidable force in Philippine politics, owing to its immense riches and extensive connections.
Marcos Jr. has served as governor, congressman, and senator; his sister, Imee, is currently a senator; and his mother, Imelda, the late dictator’s prominent power broker and widow, has served four years in Congress. Ferdinand Alexander, Marcos Jr.’s son, was set to be elected to Congress on Monday.