Presidential election in the Philippines: Marcos family returns to power after 36 years

Presidential election in the Philippines Marcos family returns to power

According to unofficial results, Marcos Jr. received 55.8 percent of the vote, while his rival, Leni Robredo, remained at 28 percent.

With this result, the Marcos family will have returned to power 36 years later.

Marcos’s power was marked by the heavy corruption of his family. However, its supporters describe the period when the Marcoss were in power as the “golden age”.

Ferdinand Marcos was known for his brutal authoritarian rule. It is estimated that his wife Imelda Marcos and her close circle embezzled $10 billion at that time.

Marcos was overthrown in a popular uprising in 1986 and fled to Hawaii.

During this period, the Philippines economy was in a deep debt trap and ordinary people experienced great difficulties.

Senator Marcos Jr, 64, is not a new name in politics. Marcos Jr, who was elected to different positions, lost the vice president election he entered with Robredo in 2016.

Opponents say that Marcos Jr. spread false information about his family’s past online during the election campaign, and avoids discussion in areas where he might be in trouble.

Despite these concerns, however, polls during the campaign were leading Marcos Jr. by tens of points.

These expectations were also reflected in the election. Turnout is reported to be high. Allegations of irregularities in the previous elections in the country were not on the agenda.

It is reported that the elections were quiet, except for some isolated incidents, such as the shooting of three people in a polling station.

But BBC Manila correspondent Howard Johnson says broken machines at polling stations, videos showing some votes being bought and violent incidents raise suspicion.

Marcos Jr. He will take over from Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte’s daughter to become vice president

Duterte, 76, was known for his unconventional style and ruthless attitude towards drug traffickers and users.

During Duterte’s term, police killed thousands of people, according to human rights groups.

Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, also ran for vice president along with Marcos Jr. Preliminary results show Duterte leading by far.

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