Philippines election results: Bongbong Marcos Jr on cusp of winning landslide

Marcos Jr thanked his supporters for believing in him in a statement late Monday.

“Although the counting isn’t over yet, I can’t wait to thank all of you… those who helped, those who joined our fight, those who gave their lives.” , I said.

During his campaign, Marcos Jr ran on a platform of “solidarity” and had promised more jobs, lower prices and more investment in agriculture and infrastructure. Political analysts say Marcos Jr appeals to Filipinos tired of political controversies and promises of economic progress and reform from successive administrations that many feel are unprofitable. benefit ordinary people.

Opinion polls have him leading by more than 30 percentage points during Monday’s vote.

Marcos Jr.’s running mate for vice president is Sara Duterte Carpio, daughter of outgoing populist leader Rodrigo Duterte, and their supporters see them as continuing their “war on drugs” his controversial “.

Partial and unofficial results show that Mr. Duterte Carpio is also leading the race for the vice-presidential seat. The vice president is elected separately from the president in the Philippines.

Robredo, who throughout the campaign has positioned herself as a promoter of good governance, transparency and human rights, told her supporters on Monday, “we’re not done yet, we’re just start.”

Her grassroots campaign is fueled by an army of citizen volunteers who go door-to-door to garner votes, and her rallies have attracted hundreds of thousands of people.

Former Sen. Marcos Jr. aligns his campaign with his father’s legacy, with the slogan “rise again” striking in the nostalgia of some who see the Marcos Sr era as the golden age of the land. country.

Supporters of the Marcos family say that this period was a time of progress and prosperity, characterized by the construction of major infrastructures such as hospitals, roads and bridges. Critics say it’s an illusion and that those projects are fueled by rampant corruption, foreign loans and amassed debt.

According to human rights groups, tens of thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured or killed during the martial law period from 1972 to 1981. The Philippine Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG), was tasked with the task. recover the ill-gotten wealth of the family and their associates, an estimated $10 billion has been stolen from the Filipino people. Dozens of cases are still active.

The Marcos family has repeatedly denied the abuse under martial law and used state funds for their own personal gain. Campaigners say Marcoses was never fully responsible and that martial law victims are still fighting for justice.

Marcos Jr was 29 years old when his family was sent into exile in Hawaii after the People Power revolution that overthrew his father’s regime in 1986. Marcos Sr died in exile 3 years later, but his family has since returned. returned in 1991 and became wealthy, influential politicians, successive family members representing their dynastic stronghold of Ilocos Norte.

Journalist Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and president and chief executive officer of local media outlet Rappler, told CNN that Marcos’ victory shows “not only Filipinos but the whole world.” gender, the impact of disinformation on a democracy.”

“He will decide the future of this country but at the same time its past.”

Marcos Jr looks set to replace President Duterte, who is internationally known for his crackdown on civil society and the media as well as his bloody war on drugs that, according to police, has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people. Despite his record on human rights and the Covid-19 pandemic, which has made the country’s hunger crisis worse, Duterte remains extremely popular in the country.

Analysts say there is an opportunity to reset the Philippines’ relations with both powers – and the outcome of the vote could change the balance of power in Asia.