Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., popularly known as Bongbong Marcos, is a key figure in the contemporary political landscape of the Philippines. Serving as the 17th President of the Philippines since 2022, Bongbong Marcos’ rise to power represents the remarkable political comeback of the Marcos family, a name that has been both revered and reviled in Philippine history.
Bongbong Marcos is the son of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the 10th president of the Philippines, and Imelda Marcos, a former first lady known for her extravagant lifestyle. The Marcos family was ousted from power during the People Power Revolution of 1986, and Bongbong’s path to the presidency is inseparably tied to the legacy of his father’s regime. His political journey, from the son of a dictator to president of the republic, has been a topic of intense debate, reflecting both the enduring influence of political dynasties in the Philippines and the complexities of history.
Early Life and Education
Bongbong Marcos was born on September 13, 1957, in Manila, to Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Imelda Marcos. His early years were marked by his family’s wealth, political power, and high social status. His father’s regime, which began in 1965, brought prosperity to the Marcos family but also sowed the seeds of future controversy, as it was marked by allegations of widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and the imposition of martial law in 1972.
Bongbong Marcos was educated both in the Philippines and abroad. He attended Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, a prestigious private school where he spent much of his youth. He later studied at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. His time at Oxford, however, has been the subject of controversy. While the Marcos camp has claimed that Bongbong received a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), some critics and media outlets have questioned the legitimacy of his degree, with allegations that he did not complete his academic requirements.
After completing his studies in the UK, Bongbong returned to the Philippines, where he began his political career, initially as a member of the House of Representatives.
Political Career: A Legacy of Dynastic Politics
Bongbong Marcos entered politics in 1980, following in the footsteps of his father, who had become president in 1965. At the age of 23, he was elected Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte, his family’s home province. His rise through the ranks of political office continued with his election as Governor of Ilocos Norte in 1983, a position he held until 1986. His early political career was seen as a preparation for his eventual return to national politics after the fall of the Marcos regime in 1986.
In 1986, after the People Power Revolution ousted Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and forced the family into exile, Bongbong and his family were sent into exile in Hawaii. The Marcos family spent over two decades in the United States, during which time Bongbong attempted to maintain his political relevance. He ran unsuccessfully for public office while in exile, but he remained closely involved in discussions about the Marcos family’s future in Philippine politics.
Following the death of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1989, the Marcos family was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1991, after a lengthy period of exile. Bongbong’s political comeback began when he was elected as Representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte in 1992, and he served in this capacity for three consecutive terms, building his political base in his family’s stronghold.
In 1998, Bongbong ran for the position of Governor of Ilocos Norte again and won, consolidating his political power in his home province. During his time as governor, he focused on local development, infrastructure, and education, which helped cement his influence in the region.
The 2016 Vice-Presidential Election: A Narrow Defeat
Bongbong Marcos sought to expand his political ambitions further in 2016 by running for Vice President. His candidacy in the vice-presidential race represented an effort to return to the national stage and restore the Marcos family’s political influence. His running mate was Rodrigo Duterte, who eventually became president.
Despite his high profile, Bongbong Marcos faced stiff competition in the vice-presidential race, particularly from Leni Robredo, the candidate from the Liberal Party. In the end, Marcos lost the vice-presidential election to Robredo by a narrow margin, a result that triggered a prolonged election protest. Marcos alleged that there had been widespread irregularities in the voting process and filed a case with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the results. However, after years of legal battles, the court ruled against his protest in 2021, ending any hope of reclaiming the vice presidency.
Though defeated, Bongbong Marcos remained a prominent figure in Philippine politics, and his loss in 2016 only intensified his desire to return to power. The 2016 election also demonstrated his broad national appeal, particularly among voters who viewed him as a representative of the Marcos legacy and those disillusioned with the traditional political elite.
The 2022 Presidential Election: The Marcos Family Returns to Power
In 2022, after years of rebuilding the Marcos family’s political fortunes, Bongbong Marcos made his most ambitious bid yet for the presidency. Running under the banner of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, his campaign capitalized on the “Marcos nostalgia” among voters who believed that the country had been better off during his father’s regime, particularly in terms of infrastructure and national development.
Bongbong’s presidential campaign was marked by his promise to unite the nation and address the economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He focused on policies related to economic recovery, infrastructure development, and job creation. His message, combined with his family’s name recognition and financial resources, resonated with a large segment of the electorate, particularly those who were not directly affected by the human rights abuses and corruption associated with the Marcos regime.
In the 2022 election, Bongbong Marcos won by a landslide, securing 58% of the vote, defeating his closest rival, Leni Robredo. His victory represented a dramatic shift in Philippine politics, as the Marcos family returned to the presidency after over three decades in exile.
Bongbong’s campaign was characterized by social media strategies and virtual outreach, which played a critical role in mobilizing support, particularly among younger voters. His team also worked hard to rebrand the Marcos family, downplaying the human rights violations and corruption scandals associated with his father’s rule and instead focusing on the positives, such as infrastructure projects and economic growth during the martial law era.
Presidency: Early Challenges and Policies
Bongbong Marcos assumed office as president on June 30, 2022. His administration faced immediate challenges, including managing the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the country’s economic woes, and dealing with the geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.
One of his first acts as president was to focus on the economic recovery of the country, with an emphasis on agriculture and food security, both of which had suffered under the pandemic. He also called for a review of the country’s foreign policy, particularly with respect to the Philippines’ relationship with China and the United States.
Bongbong Marcos’ presidency has faced scrutiny regarding his ability to distance himself from the controversial aspects of his family’s past. While he has emphasized unity and national healing, critics have raised concerns about his potential to confront the human rights violations and corruption that occurred under his father’s rule. However, Marcos has continued to maintain a pro-business stance, and his government has sought to strengthen the country’s economy through foreign investment and infrastructure projects.
Legacy and Controversy
Bongbong Marcos’ presidency represents a remarkable political comeback for the Marcos family. His leadership, which is seen by some as an attempt to rebuild the Marcos family legacy, remains divisive. Supporters point to his economic policies and promises of stability, while critics argue that his family’s past casts a shadow over his ability to lead the country forward.The return of the Marcos family to power has reignited debates about political dynasties, historical revisionism, and the legacy of martial law. Bongbong Marcos’ success in the 2022 elections demonstrates the enduring influence of political families in the Philippines, and his presidency will undoubtedly continue to shape the nation’s political trajectory for years to come.