His father died in exile. Now another Marcos may be president
The Philippines is on the verge of electing the son of a dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, and the daughter of strongman Rodrigo Duterte. Here’s what you need to know about today’s election.
″We hope he is just like his father,” says Marie Leonara DeAsis, as she reflects fondly on the two decades of rule by Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Today she will vote for his son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos jnr, for president, citing better housing, less crime and more food that Marcos snr provided her family who live in the Tonto ghetto in inner Manila.
About 67 million Filipinos are registered to vote today for the next president, vice-president, a swag of parliamentarians and some 18,000 others including mayors and governors.
Emma ConnorsSenior editor and writerEmma Connors was South-east Asia correspondent from October 2019 until mid-2023, based in Jakarta and Singapore. She has previously edited Perspective and Opinion and has written extensively across the AFR and related titles. Connect with Emma on Twitter. Email Emma at emma.connors@nine.com.au
