The Bongbong bounce: Marcos Jnr has the Philippines in thrall

He’s the son of an infamous kleptocrat but Ferdinand ‘Bong Bong’ Marcos Jnr has a big lead in the race to become the next country’s next President.

Emma ConnorsSenior editor and writer

Jan 28, 2022 – 10.21am

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Singapore | This week Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr was put through his paces by television host ‘Boy’ Abunda aka Asia’s King of Talk.

If Marcos Jr wanted to dazzle, he failed. Abunda’s platform sneakers at times commanded more attention than the presidential candidate. The softly-spoken Marcos was dressed modestly, with his black hair neatly combed, and took no bold policy positions. He appeared to believe some of the country’s most serious problems are too difficult to solve.

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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.