Bongbong Marcos
{{Short description|President of the Philippines since 2022}}
{{Redirect|Bongbong|3=Bongbong (disambiguation)}}
{{Philippine name|Romualdez|Marcos}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = File:Portrait of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr (cropped).jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2023
| alt = Head shot of Marcos smiling
| office = President of the Philippines
| order = 17th
| vicepresident = Sara Duterte
| term_start = June 30, 2022
| term_end =
| preceded = Rodrigo Duterte
| office1 = Secretary of Agriculture
| term_start1 = June 30, 2022
| term_end1 = November 3, 2023
| president1 = Himself
| predecessor1 = William Dar
| successor1 = Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
| office2 = Senator of the Philippines
| term_start2 = June 30, 2010
| term_end2 = June 30, 2016
| office3 = Member of the House of Representatives from Ilocos Norte's 2nd district
| term_start3 = June 30, 2007
| term_end3 = June 30, 2010
| predecessor3 = Imee Marcos
| successor3 = Imelda Marcos
| term_start4 = June 30, 1992
| term_end4 = June 30, 1995
| predecessor4 = Mariano Nalupta Jr.
| successor4 = Simeon Valdez
| order5 = 19th
| office5 = Governor of Ilocos Norte
| term_start5 = June 30, 1998
| term_end5 = June 30, 2007
| predecessor5 = Rodolfo Fariñas
| successor5 = Michael Marcos Keon
| term_start6 = March 23, 1983
| term_end6 = February 25, 1986
| predecessor6 = Elizabeth Keon
| successor6 = Castor Raval ({{OIC-Philippines}})
| office7 = Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte
| term_start7 = June 30, 1980
| term_end7 = March 23, 1983
| 1blankname7 = Governor
| 1namedata7 = Elizabeth Keon
| predecessor7 = Antonio Lazo
| office8 = Chairman of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
| term_start8 = October 5, 2021
| term_end8 =
| president8 = Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.
| predecessor8 = Abubakar Mangelen
| birth_name = Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|9|13}}
| birth_place = Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = PFP (2021–present)
| otherparty = Nacionalista (2009–2021)
KBL (1978–2009)
| spouse = {{marriage|Louise Araneta|April 17, 1993}}
| children = 3, including Sandro
| father = Ferdinand Marcos
| mother = Imelda Marcos
| residence = {{plainlist
|Malacañang Palace
(office)
Bahay Pangulo
(residence)
The Mansion
(summer residence)
}}
| relatives = Marcos family
| education = Worth School
(secondary)
| alma_mater = {{plainlist|
- St Edmund Hall, Oxford (special diploma)
- Center for Research and Communication (no degree)
- University of Pennsylvania
(no degree)
}}
| website = {{URL|pbbm.com.ph/}}
| signature = Bongbong Marcos Signature.svg
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Ferdinand Marcos Jr Speech Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families in Albay November 6, 2024.ogg|title=Bongbong Marcos's voice|type=speech|description=Speech for the presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolks, and their families in Albay
(Recorded on November 6, 2024)}}
}}
{{Bongbong Marcos sidebar}}
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr.{{Cite web |title=Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. |url=http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_bio.asp |access-date=October 15, 2015 |publisher=Senate of the Philippines |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129091419/http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_bio.asp |url-status=live }} ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|m|ɑːr|k|ɒ|s}}, {{IPAc-en|US|-|k|oʊ|s|,_|-|k|ɔː|s}},{{cite EPD|18|Marcos|page=305}}{{Cite book |title=The New Webster's Dictionary of the English Language |publisher=Lexicon Publications, Inc. |year=1994 |isbn=0-7172-4690-6 |pages=609}} {{IPA|tl|ˈmaɾkɔs|lang}}; born September 13, 1957), commonly referred to by the initials PBBM or BBM, is a Filipino politician who is the 17th and current president of the Philippines.{{Cite news |last1=Cabato |first1=Regine |last2=Westfall |first2=Sammy |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Marcos family once ousted by uprising wins Philippines vote in landslide |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/10/philippines-presidential-election-result-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos/ |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510073822/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/10/philippines-presidential-election-result-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Lalu |first=Gabriel Pabico |date=June 30, 2022 |title=It's official: Bongbong Marcos sworn in as PH's 17th President |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1619425/its-official-bongbong-marcos-sworn-in-as-phs-17th-president |access-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630065230/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1619425/its-official-bongbong-marcos-sworn-in-as-phs-17th-president |url-status=live }} He is the second child and only son of 10th president Ferdinand Marcos and former first lady Imelda Marcos.{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Dictator's son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. takes oath as Philippine president |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1108841337/ferdinand-marcos-jr-takes-oath-philippine-president |access-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630061516/https://www.npr.org/2022/06/30/1108841337/ferdinand-marcos-jr-takes-oath-philippine-president |url-status=live }}
In 1980, Marcos became Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte, running unopposed with the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party of his father, who was ruling the Philippines under martial law at the time.{{Cite book |last=Ellison |first=Katherine W. |title=Imelda, steel butterfly of the Philippines |date=2005 |location=Lincoln, Nebraska}} He then became Governor of Ilocos Norte in 1983, holding that office until his family was ousted from power by the People Power Revolution and fled into exile in Hawaii in February 1986.{{Cite news |last=Holley |first=David |date=February 28, 1986 |title=Speculation Grows: Marcos May Stay at Luxurious Hawaii Estate |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-28-mn-12789-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921074524/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-02-28/news/mn-12789_1_marcos-estate |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |issn=0458-3035}} After the death of his father in 1989, President Corazon Aquino eventually allowed his family to return to the Philippines to face various charges.{{Cite news |last=Mydans |first=Seth |date=November 4, 1991 |title=Imelda Marcos Returns to Philippines |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/imelda-marcos-returns-to-philippines.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212102834/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/04/world/imelda-marcos-returns-to-philippines.html |archive-date=December 12, 2009}} Marcos and his mother, Imelda, are currently facing arrest in the United States for defying a court order to pay {{US$|353|link=yes}} million ({{Philippine peso|{{From USD|353000000|PHL|round=yes}}|link=yes}} in {{currentyear}}) in restitution to human rights abuse victims during his father's dictatorship.{{Cite news |last=Robles |first=Alan |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Philippine election: Who is Bongbong Marcos, what's his platform and China views, and why can't he visit the US? |publisher=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3176275/philippine-election-who-bongbong-marcos-whats-his-platform-and |access-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512005718/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3176275/philippine-election-who-bongbong-marcos-whats-his-platform-and |url-status=live }} However, as long as he is president of the Philippines, he can enter the United States due to diplomatic immunity.{{Cite web |author=Ewan Palmer |date=2022-06-09 |title=Philippines' Marcos Jr. Can Visit U.S Without Arrest Over $353M Court Order |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-arrest-us-philippines-353m-court-order-1714286 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}
Marcos was elected as Representative of Ilocos Norte's 2nd congressional district from 1992 to 1995. He was elected Governor of Ilocos Norte again in 1998. After nine years, he returned to his previous position as Representative from 2007 to 2010, then became senator under the Nacionalista Party from 2010 to 2016.{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2014 |title=List of Committees |url=http://senate.gov.ph/committee/list.asp |access-date=March 14, 2014 |publisher=Senate of the Philippines |archive-date=February 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207231350/http://senate.gov.ph/committee/list.asp |url-status=live }} Marcos unsuccessfully ran for vice president in the 2016 election, losing to Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo by a difference of 263,473 votes;{{Cite news |date=October 5, 2015 |title=Bongbong Marcos running for vice president in 2016 |publisher=CNN |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/10/05/bongbong-marcos-vice-president-elections-2016-the-filipino-votes.html |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008085446/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/10/05/bongbong-marcos-vice-president-elections-2016-the-filipino-votes.html |url-status=dead }} in response, Marcos filed an electoral protest at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal but his petition was unanimously dismissed after the pilot recount resulted in Robredo widening her lead by 15,093 additional votes.{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Marcos heir loses bid to overturn Philippine VP election loss |language=en |work=The South China Morning Post |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3121926/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-loses-bid-overturn-philippines |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216115323/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3121926/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-loses-bid-overturn-philippines |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Supreme Court unanimously junks Marcos' VP poll protest vs Robredo |language=en |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/16/Supreme-Court-Bongbong-Marcos-Leni-Robredo-vice-president-poll-protest.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216041527/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/16/Supreme-Court-Bongbong-Marcos-Leni-Robredo-vice-president-poll-protest.html }}
Marcos ran for President of the Philippines in the 2022 election under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas,{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2021 |title=Dictator's son Bongbong Marcos files candidacy for president |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/bongbong-marcos-files-certificate-candidacy-president-2022/ |access-date=January 13, 2022 |work=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006040925/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/bongbong-marcos-files-certificate-candidacy-president-2022/ |url-status=live }} which he won by a landslide with nearly 59% of the vote.{{cite news |last=Verizon |first=Cliff |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Marcos officially declared Philippines' next president |publisher=Nikkei Asia |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Philippine-elections/Marcos-officially-declared-Philippines-next-president |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620033842/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Philippine-elections/Marcos-officially-declared-Philippines-next-president |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Morales |first=Neil Jerome |date=May 25, 2022 |title=hilippines Congress proclaims Marcos as next president |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/philippines-congress-proclaims-marcos-next-president-2022-05-25/ |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620033841/https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/philippines-congress-proclaims-marcos-next-president-2022-05-25/ |url-status=live }} His win was the largest since 1981, when his father won 88% of the votes due to a boycott by the opposition who protested the prior election.{{Cite web |title=Martial Law Museum |url=https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/the-first-election/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=Martial Law Museum |language=en |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523211819/https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/the-first-election/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Kamm |first=Henry |date=February 6, 1981 |title=Philippine Opposition to Boycott Presidential Election |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/06/world/philippine-opposition-to-boycott-presidential-election.html |access-date=June 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524080118/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/06/world/philippine-opposition-to-boycott-presidential-election.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Kamm |first=Henry |date=June 17, 1981 |title=Marcos Is Victor By a Huge Majority |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/world/marcos-is-victor-by-a-huge-majority.html |access-date=June 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605082548/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/17/world/marcos-is-victor-by-a-huge-majority.html |url-status=live }}
Marcos's presidential campaign received criticism from fact-checkers and disinformation scholars, who found his campaign to be driven by historical negationism aimed at rehabilitating the Marcos brand and smearing his rivals.{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Filipinos fall for fake history |work=The Standard (Hong Kong) |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/15/240306/Filipinos-fall-for-fake-history |access-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515103015/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/15/240306/Filipinos-fall-for-fake-history |url-status=live }} His campaign has also been accused of whitewashing the human rights abuses and plunder, estimated at 5 to 13 billion dollars, that took place during his father's presidency. The Washington Post has noted how the historical distortionism of the Marcoses has been underway since the 2000s, while The New York Times cited his convictions of tax fraud, including his refusal to pay his family's estate taxes, and misrepresentation of his education at the University of Oxford.{{Cite news|date=April 12, 2022|title=How the Philippines' brutal history is being whitewashed for voters|language=en|newspaper=The Washington Post|first1=Regine|last1=Cabato|first2=Shibani|last2=Mahtani|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/12/philippines-marcos-memory-election/|access-date=April 23, 2022|archive-date=April 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412081448/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/12/philippines-marcos-memory-election/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Wee |first=Sui-Lee |date=May 1, 2022 |title='We Want Change': In the Philippines, Young People Aim to Upend an Election |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/world/asia/philippines-election-marcos-robredo.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502004755/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/world/asia/philippines-election-marcos-robredo.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/es/video/20220511-protestas-en-filipinas-en-rechazo-a-la-victoria-no-oficial-de-ferdinand-marcos-jr|title=Protestas en Filipinas en rechazo a la victoria no oficial de Ferdinand Marcos Jr.|access-date=May 17, 2022|date=May 11, 2022|website=France 24|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517142338/https://www.france24.com/es/video/20220511-protestas-en-filipinas-en-rechazo-a-la-victoria-no-oficial-de-ferdinand-marcos-jr|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/05/12/filipino-community-protests-philippine-presidential-election-results/|title=Filipino Community Protests Philippine Presidential Election Results|access-date=May 17, 2022|date=May 13, 2022|website=South Seattle Emerald|language=en-US|archive-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518093709/https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/05/12/filipino-community-protests-philippine-presidential-election-results/|url-status=live}} In 2024, Time magazine listed him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.{{cite news |last1=Mangaluz |first1=Jean |title=Bongbong Marcos is in Time's 100 Most Influential People for 2024 |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/232415/bongbong-marcos-is-in-times-100-most-influential-people-for-2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418141638/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/232415/bongbong-marcos-is-in-times-100-most-influential-people-for-2024 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |date=April 17, 2024 |title=Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos: The 100 Most Influential People of 2024 |url=https://time.com/6965183/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-2/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}
Early life and education
Bongbong Marcos was born as Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. on September 13, 1957, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Santa Mesa, Manila, Philippines, to Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos. At the time of his birth, his father Ferdinand was the representative for the second district of Ilocos Norte, eventually becoming a senator just two years later. His godfathers included prominent personalities and future Marcos cronies Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr.{{Cite book |last=Seagrave |first=Sterling |title=The Marcos dynasty |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1988 |isbn=0060161477 |location=New York ...[etc.] |oclc=1039684909}}{{rp|page=286}} and pharmaceuticals magnate Jose Yao Campos.{{Cite news |author=Wilson Lee Flores |date=May 8, 2006 |title=Who will be the next taipans? |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/business-life/2006/05/08/335608/who-will-be-next-taipans |access-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326040250/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/business-life/2006/05/08/335608/who-will-be-next-taipans |url-status=live }}
=Education =
Marcos first studied at the Institución Teresiana in Quezon City and La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong, where he obtained his kindergarten and elementary education, respectively.{{cite web |title=Resume of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. |url=https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_resume.asp |website=Senate of the Philippines |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025202016/https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_resume.asp |archive-date=October 25, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Vote PH 2016; Bongbong Marcos |url=https://www.inquirer.net/elections2016/bongbong-marcos/ |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216073257/https://www.inquirer.net/elections2016/bongbong-marcos/ |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |language=en}}
In 1970, Marcos was sent to England where he lived and studied at Worth School, an all-boys Benedictine institution in West Sussex. He was studying there when his father declared martial law throughout the Philippines in 1972.
Marcos attended the Center for Research and Communication, where he took a special diploma course in economics, but did not finish.{{cite news |last1=Galvez |first1=Daphne |title=Marcos admits not finishing 'special diploma' course in UA&P |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741949/marcos-jr-admits-not-finishing-special-diploma-from-uap |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=March 13, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Helen |title=Marcos admits not finishing UA&P certificate program |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/14/2251502/marcos-admits-not-finishing-uap-certificate-program |date=March 14, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star}} He then enrolled at St Edmund Hall, Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics (PPE). However, despite his false claims that he graduated with a bachelor of arts in PPE,{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Marcos: Special diploma from Oxford is same as bachelor's degree |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/focus/01/21/16/marcos-special-diploma-from-oxford-is-same-as-bachelors-degree |access-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131194240/https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/focus/01/21/16/marcos-special-diploma-from-oxford-is-same-as-bachelors-degree |url-status=live }} he did not obtain such a degree.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Oxford: Bongbong Marcos' special diploma 'not a full graduate diploma' |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/oxford-bongbong-marcos-special-diploma-not-full-graduate-diploma/ |access-date=January 8, 2022 |work=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108013504/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/oxford-bongbong-marcos-special-diploma-not-full-graduate-diploma/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Resume of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. |url=http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_resume.asp |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=Senate of the Philippines |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118041519/http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_resume.asp |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Oxford group: Marcos received special diploma, no college degree |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/22/Oxford-group-Marcos-credentials.html |access-date=January 8, 2022 |website=cnn |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108013504/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/22/Oxford-group-Marcos-credentials.html |url-status=dead }} Marcos had passed philosophy, but failed economics, and failed politics twice, thus making him ineligible for a degree.{{Cite journal |date=2012 |title=Marcos Pa Rin! The Legacy and the Curse of the Marcos Regime |url=https://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/view/5899/5262 |journal=Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies |volume=28 |page=456 |access-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106012610/https://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/view/5899/5262 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Collas-Monsod |first=Solita |date=November 6, 2021 |title=Yes, I tutored Bongbong in Economics |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/146064/yes-i-tutored-bongbong-in-economics |access-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118140515/https://opinion.inquirer.net/146064/yes-i-tutored-bongbong-in-economics |url-status=live }} Instead, he received a special diploma in social studies, which was awarded mainly to non-graduates and is currently no longer offered by the university.{{Cite news |last1=Ariate |first1=Joel F. |last2=Reyes |first2=Miguel Paolo P. |last3=Del Mundo |first3=Larah Vinda |date=November 1, 2021 |title=The documents on Bongbong Marcos' university education (Part 1- Oxford University) |publisher=Vera Files |url=https://verafiles.org/articles/documents-bongbong-marcos-university-education-part-1-oxford |access-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203154021/https://verafiles.org/articles/documents-bongbong-marcos-university-education-part-1-oxford |url-status=live }} Marcos still falsely claims that he obtained a degree from the University of Oxford despite Oxford confirming in 2015 that Marcos did not finish his degree.{{cite news |last1=Gonzales |first1=Catherine |title=Bongbong Marcos maintains he's a graduate of Oxford |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1550308/bongbong-marcos-maintains-he-graduated-from-oxford |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 5, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503200919/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1550308/bongbong-marcos-maintains-he-graduated-from-oxford |url-status=live }}
Marcos enrolled in the Masters in Business Administration program at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, United States, which he failed to complete. Marcos asserts that he withdrew from the program for his election as Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte in 1980.{{Cite news |title=Bongbong Marcos: Oxford, Wharton educational record 'accurate' |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/84959-bongbong-marcos-statement-oxford-wharton |access-date=November 12, 2015 |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118040152/http://www.rappler.com/nation/84959-bongbong-marcos-statement-oxford-wharton |url-status=live }} The Presidential Commission on Good Government later reported that his tuition, his {{US$|10000}} ({{₱|{{From USD|10000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) monthly allowance, and the estate he lived in while studying at Wharton, were paid using funds that could be traced partly to the intelligence funds of the Office of the President, and partly to some of the fifteen bank accounts that the Marcoses had secretly opened in the US under assumed names.
=Early public roles=
{{see also|Iginuhit ng Tadhana|The Beatles' 1966 tour of Germany, Japan and the Philippines}}
File:Meeting of the Marcoses and the Nixons in 1969 at the Malacañang Palace.jpg, shown holding Bongbong, in 1969]]
Marcos was thrust into the national limelight as early as when he was three years old, and the scrutiny became even more intense when his father first ran for President of the Philippines in 1965,{{Cite news |title=Bongbong Marcos: Iginuhit ng showbiz |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2010/04/13/565595/bongbong-marcos-iginuhit-ng-showbiz |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430095202/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2010/04/13/565595/bongbong-marcos-iginuhit-ng-showbiz |url-status=live }} when he was eight years old.{{Cite news |last=Legaspi |first=Amita O. |date=September 21, 2014 |title=Where was Bongbong Marcos when martial law was declared in 1972? |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/380104/where-was-bongbong-marcos-when-martial-law-was-declared-in-1972/story/ |access-date=September 2, 2018 |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714170623/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/380104/where-was-bongbong-marcos-when-martial-law-was-declared-in-1972/story/ |url-status=live }}
During his father's 1965 campaign, Marcos played himself in the Sampaguita Pictures film Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story), a biopic based on the novel For Every Tear a Victory.{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Buddy |date=August 26, 2015 |title=A romance that began with deception |language=en-US |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/opinions/08/26/15/romance-began-deception |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093425/http://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/opinions/08/26/15/romance-began-deception |url-status=live }} The young Marcos was portrayed giving a speech towards the end of the film, in which he says that he would like to be a politician when he grows up.{{Cite news |last=Geronimo |first=Gee Y. |date=October 12, 2015 |title=9 things to know about Bongbong Marcos |language=en |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/108932-fast-facts-things-know-bongbong-marcos |work=Rappler |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=January 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120125520/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/108932-fast-facts-things-know-bongbong-marcos |url-status=live }} The public relations value of the film is credited for having helped the elder Marcos win the 1965 Philippine elections.{{Cite book |last=Garcia |first=Myles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q9zbCwAAQBAJ&q=iginuhit+ng+tadhana++marcos+1965+campaign&pg=PT68 |title=Thirty Years Later . . . Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes |date=March 31, 2016 |publisher=eBookIt.com |isbn=9781456626501 |language=en |access-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161129/https://books.google.com/books?id=q9zbCwAAQBAJ&q=iginuhit+ng+tadhana++marcos+1965+campaign&pg=PT68 |url-status=live }}
A young Bongbong Marcos and his sister Imee played a small role in the controversial "Manila incident" of the Beatles in July 1966, just six months after their father assumed the presidency.{{Cite magazine |last=Reyes |first=Oliver X.A. |date=May 24, 2017 |title=The Beatles' Worst Nightmare in Manila |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/remember-the-beatles-nightmare-in-manila-a1542-20170524-lfrm10 |magazine=Esquire Magazine Philippines |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093645/https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/remember-the-beatles-nightmare-in-manila-a1542-20170524-lfrm10 |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |title=The Marcos dynasty |last=Seagrave |first=Sterling |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1988 |isbn=0060161477 |location=New York ...[etc.] |oclc=1039684909}}{{rp|page=200}} Bongbong and Imee were among 400 children whom their mother Imelda brought to Malacañang Palace for a reception in which they expected the Beatles to show up. The four band members claimed not to know about the event, and refused to attend. As the event went on without them, the Marcos children were interviewed. Bongbong, referring to the group's long hair, was quoted saying "I'd like to pounce on the Beatles and cut off their hair! Don't anybody dare me to do anything, because I'll do it, just to see how game the Beatles are." Imee, meantime, was quoted saying "There is only one song I like from the Beatles, and it's Run for Your Life."—a quote which media later associated with the way the Beatles scrambled out of Manila, receiving rough treatment at Manila International Airport.
Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison later accused the Marcoses of inciting Filipinos to mob the band as they tried to leave the country for not showing up at the reception, saying in a 1986 interview at NBC's Today Show that the Marcoses "tried to kill
The Manila Bulletin reported in 2015 that Marcos had once invited Beatles drummer Ringo Starr to return to the Philippines "to bring closure" to the incident.{{cite news |last1=Amio |first1=Armin |last2=Distor |first2=Tessa |title=25 things you probably didn't know about Bongbong Marcos |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-bulletin/20150914/281659663824631 |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |via=PressReader |date=September 14, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721153704/https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-bulletin/20150914/281659663824631 |url-status=live }} The incident was brought up in the media again after a 2021 interview between Marcos and actress Toni Gonzaga, when he was asked about which musicians he idolized, and he casually mentioned that he was friends with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and members of the Beatles.
Marcos was still a minor on the exact year that martial law was declared. Marcos turned 18 in 1975{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2018 |title=Is Bongbong Marcos Accountable? |url=https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/bongbong-marcos-accountable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808175612/https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/bongbong-marcos-accountable |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |website=The Martial Law Chronicles Project |language=en-US |access-date=October 12, 2021 }}{{cite news|last1=Sauler|first1=Erika|title='Carmma' to hound Bongbong campaign|date=February 5, 2016|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/761701/carmma-to-hound-bongbong-campaign|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805131014/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/761701/carmma-to-hound-bongbong-campaign|url-status=live}}—a year after he graduated from Worth School.{{Cite web |title=Elections 2016 |url=http://www.inquirer.net/elections2016/bongbong-marcos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216073257/http://www.inquirer.net/elections2016/bongbong-marcos |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=April 27, 2018 }}
Roles in the Marcos regime
=Vice governorship and governorship in Ilocos Norte=
Marcos's first formal role in a political office came with his election as Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte (1980–1983) at the age of 22. On March 23, 1983, he was installed as the Governor of Ilocos Norte, replacing his aunt Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, who had resigned from the post for health reasons.{{Cite news |author=Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia |date=April 1983 |title=Marcos Lantik Puteranya Jadi Gubernur |trans-title=Marcos Installs His Son as Governor |page=70 |work=Mimbar Kekaryaan |issue=148 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4RS5AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA70 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |quote=Presiden Filipina Ferdinand Marcos tgl 23 Maret melantik puteranya yang berusia 24 tahun Ferdinand R Marcos Jr sebagai Gubernur propinsi Ilocos Norie [sic] di Filipina bagian utara. Marcos muda itu menggantikan bibinya Ny. Elizabeth M. Rocka yang karena kesehatannya mengundurkan diri sebagai Gubernur. Marcos muda terpilih sebagai wakil gubernur dalam pemilihan umum 1980. Dalam pemilu itu pula bibinya memenangkan jabatan gubernur. |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161121/https://books.google.com/books?id=4RS5AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA70 |url-status=live }} In 1983, he led a group of young Filipino leaders on a 10-day diplomatic mission to China to mark the tenth anniversary of Philippine–Chinese relations.{{Cite web |title=The Profile Engine |url=http://profileengine.com/groups/profile/436933420/bongbong-marcos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093438/http://profileengine.com/groups/profile/436933420/bongbong-marcos |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=The Profile Engine}} He stayed in office until the People Power Revolution in 1986.
During Marcos's term, at least two extrajudicial killings took place in Ilocos Norte, as documented by the Martial Law Victims Association of Ilocos Norte (MLVAIN).{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2016 |title=Why is it difficult for Bongbong Marcos to apologize? |url=https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/129457-bongbong-marcos-difficulty-apology/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605235546/https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/129457-bongbong-marcos-difficulty-apology/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Salvador |first=Lenville |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Ilocos Martial Law victims say no to Bongbong Marcos |language=en-US |work=Northern Dispatch Weekly |url=http://www.nordis.net/2016/02/ilocos-martial-law-victims-say-no-to-bongbong-marcos/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628225732/http://www.nordis.net/2016/02/ilocos-martial-law-victims-say-no-to-bongbong-marcos/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017}}
=Chairmanship of PHILCOMSAT Board=
Marcos was appointed by his father to be chairman of the board of the Philippine Communications Satellite Corporation (PHILCOMSAT) in early 1985. In a prominent example of what Finance Minister Jaime Ongpin later branded "crony capitalism", the Marcos administration had sold its majority shares to Marcos cronies such as Roberto S. Benedicto,{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Ann |date=March 17, 1986 |title=U.S. auditors to examine documents related to Philippines' alleged diverted funds |language=en |publisher=UPI |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/03/17/US-auditors-to-examine-documents-related-to-Philippines-alleged-diverted-funds/5918511419600/ |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214183652/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/03/17/US-auditors-to-examine-documents-related-to-Philippines-alleged-diverted-funds/5918511419600/ |url-status=live }} Manuel H. Nieto, Jose Yao Campos,{{Cite news |last=Butterfield |first=Fox |date=March 30, 1986 |title=Marcos's Fortune: Inquiry in Manila Offers Picture of How it Was Acquired |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/30/world/marcos-s-fortune-inquiry-in-manila-offers-picture-of-how-it-was-acquired.html |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529133604/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/30/world/marcos-s-fortune-inquiry-in-manila-offers-picture-of-how-it-was-acquired.html |url-status=live }} and Rolando Gapud in 1982, despite being very profitable because of its role as the sole agent for the Philippines' link to global satellite network Intelsat. President Marcos acquired a 39.9% share in the company through front companies under Campos and Gapud. This allowed President Marcos to appoint his son as the chairman of the Philcomsat board in early 1985, allowing the young Marcos to draw a monthly salary "ranging from {{US$|9700}} to {{US$|97000}}" ({{₱|{{From USD|9700|PHL}}}} to {{₱|{{From USD|97000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) despite rarely visiting the office and having no duties there. PHILCOMSAT was one of five telecommunications firms sequestered by the Philippine government in 1986.
=Ill-gotten Marcos family wealth=
{{main|Unexplained wealth of the Marcos family}}
After the Marcos family went into exile in 1986, the Presidential Commission on Good Government found that the three Marcos children benefited significantly{{Cite book |last=Manapat |first=Ricardo |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1226800054 |title=Some are smarter than others : the history of Marcos' crony capitalism |publisher=Ateneo University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-971-550-926-8 |edition=Annotated |location=Quezon City, Philippines |oclc=1226800054 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712142701/https://www.worldcat.org/title/some-are-smarter-than-others-the-history-of-marcos-crony-capitalism/oclc/1226800054 |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last=Garcia |first=Myles |title=Thirty Years Later... Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes |year=2016 |publisher=eBookIt.com |isbn=9781456626501}} from what the Supreme Court of the Philippines defined as "ill-gotten wealth" of the Marcos family.{{cite PH act|title=Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, vs. Republic of the Philippines|publisher=Supreme Court of the Philippines|reporter=|vol=|chamber=GR|number= 189505|pinpoint=|date=April 25, 2012|url=http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/april2012/189434.htm|quote=|access-date=|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310044813/http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph:80/jurisprudence/2012/april2012/189434.htm|archive-date=March 10, 2019}}{{cite news|author=Tiongson-Mayrina, Karen and GMA News Research|date=September 21, 2017|title=The Supreme Court's rulings on the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/626576/the-supreme-court-s-rulings-on-the-marcoses-ill-gotten-wealth/story/|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=September 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911093036/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/626576/the-supreme-court-s-rulings-on-the-marcoses-ill-gotten-wealth/story/|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|last=Jovito|first=Salonga|author-link=Jovito Salonga|title=Presidential plunder: the quest for the Marcos ill-gotten wealth|date=2000|publisher=U.P. Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy|isbn=9718567283|location=[Quezon City]|oclc=44927743}}
Aside from the tuition, US$10,000 ({{₱|{{From USD|10000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) monthly allowance, and the estates used by Marcos Jr. and Imee Marcos during their respective studies at Wharton and Princeton, each of the Marcos children was assigned a mansion in the Metro Manila area, as well as in Baguio, the Philippines' designated summer capital. Properties specifically said to have been given to Marcos Jr. included the Wigwam House compound on Outlook Drive in Baguio and the Seaside Mansion Compound in Parañaque.
In addition, by the time their father was ousted from power in 1986, both Marcos Jr. and Imee held key posts in the Marcos administration.{{cite news|last1=Punzalan|first1=Jamaine|title=No 'Martial Law' babies: Imee, Bongbong held key posts under dad's rule|work=ABS-CBN News|date=November 25, 2016|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/11/22/16/no-martial-law-babies-imee-bongbong-held-key-posts-under-dads-rule|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183904/https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/11/22/16/no-martial-law-babies-imee-bongbong-held-key-posts-under-dads-rule|url-status=live}} Imee was already 30 when she was appointed as the national head of the Kabataang Barangay in the late 1970s, and Marcos Jr. was in his 20s when he took up the vice-gubernatorial post for the province of Ilocos Norte in 1980, and then became governor of that province from 1983 until the Marcos family was ousted from Malacañang in 1986.
EDSA revolution and exile (1986–1991)
{{Further|People Power Revolution}}
During the last days of the 1986 People Power Revolution, Bongbong Marcos, in combat fatigues to project his warlike stance,{{Cite news |last=del Mundo |first=Fernando |date=February 25, 2013 |title=US set 5 conditions to save Marcos |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/364429/us-set-5-conditions-to-save-marcos |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220033255/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/364429/us-set-5-conditions-to-save-marcos |url-status=live }} pushed his father Ferdinand Marcos to give the order to his remaining troops to attack and blow up Camp Crame despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians there. The elder Marcos did not follow his son's urgings.{{Cite news|last=Lustre|first=Philip Jr.|date=February 25, 2016|title=Ferdinand Marcos: His last day at the Palace|work=CNN Philippines|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/02/25/Ferdinand-Marcos-Malacañan-last-day.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318204515/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/02/25/Ferdinand-Marcos-Malaca%C3%B1an-last-day.html|archive-date=March 18, 2016}}
Fearful of a scenario in which Marcos's presence in the Philippines would lead to a civil war,{{Cite book |title=Duet for EDSA: Chronology of a Revolution |date=1995 |publisher=Foundation for Worldwide People Power |isbn=9719167009 |location=Manila, Philippines |oclc=45376088}} the Reagan administration withdrew its support for the Marcos government, and flew Marcos and a party of about 80 individuals – the extended Marcos family and a number of close associates{{Cite news |title=The Marcos Party in Honolulu |language=en |work=The New York Times |date=March 11, 1986 |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/11/world/the-marcos-party-in-honolulu.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524190421/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/11/world/the-marcos-party-in-honolulu.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015}} – from the Philippines to Hawaii despite Ferdinand Marcos's objections. Bongbong Marcos and his family were on the flight with his parents.{{Cite news |last=Holley |first=David |date=February 27, 1986 |title=Marcos Party Reaches Hawaii in Somber Mood |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-27-mn-12084-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022202056/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-02-27/news/mn-12084_1_imelda-marcos |archive-date=October 22, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=The End of an Era – Handholding Ferdinand Marcos in Exile |url=http://adst.org/2015/02/the-end-of-an-era-handholding-ferdinand-marcos-in-exile/ |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031929/http://adst.org/2015/02/the-end-of-an-era-handholding-ferdinand-marcos-in-exile/ |url-status=live }}
Soon after arriving in Hawaii, the younger Marcos participated in an attempt to withdraw {{US$|200}}{{nbsp}}million ({{₱|{{From USD|200000000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) from a secret family bank account with Credit Suisse in Switzerland,{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2011 |title=Marcos' son still eyes share of loot |url=http://www.scmp.com/article/979944/marcos-son-still-eyes-share-loot |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325070631/http://www.scmp.com/article/979944/marcos-son-still-eyes-share-loot |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |website=South China Morning Post}} an act which eventually led to the Swiss government freezing the Marcoses' bank accounts in late March that year.{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=John |date=March 26, 1986 |title=Swiss Freeze Marcos' Bank Accounts, Citing Withdrawal Attempt Monday |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1986/03/26/swiss-freeze-marcos-bank-accounts-citing-withdrawal-attempt-monday/4beb362d-6bda-4079-be3d-7c9fb0020107/ |access-date=February 3, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520034257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1986/03/26/swiss-freeze-marcos-bank-accounts-citing-withdrawal-attempt-monday/4beb362d-6bda-4079-be3d-7c9fb0020107/ |url-status=live }}
The Marcoses initially stayed at Hickam Air Force Base at the expense of the U.S. government. A month after arriving in Honolulu, they moved into a pair of residences in Makiki Heights, Honolulu, which were registered to Marcos cronies Antonio Floirendo and Bienvenido and Gliceria Tantoco.
Ferdinand Marcos eventually died in exile three years later, in 1989,{{Cite news |last1=Richburg |first1=Keith B. |last2=Branigin |first2=William |date=September 29, 1989 |title=Ferdinand Marcos Dies in Hawaii at 72 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/09/29/ferdinand-marcos-dies-in-hawaii-at-72/d1c26275-d9bd-4bfd-8934-c2a02ff4ab51/ |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816130103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/09/29/ferdinand-marcos-dies-in-hawaii-at-72/d1c26275-d9bd-4bfd-8934-c2a02ff4ab51/ |url-status=live }} with Marcos Jr. being the only family member present at his father's deathbed.{{Cite book |last=Aruiza |first=Arturo C. |title=Ferdinand E. Marcos : Malacañang to Makiki |publisher=ACA Enterprises |year=1991 |isbn=9718820000 |location=Quezon City, Philippines |oclc=27428517}}
Return to the Philippines and later activities (1991–present)
In the early 1990s, President Corazon Aquino permitted the return of the remaining members of the Marcos family to the Philippines to face various charges. Bongbong Marcos flew on a private plane from Singapore to the Philippines and landed in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on October 31, 1991, becoming the first Marcos family member to return to the Philippines since 1986; his mother Imelda followed suit four days later.{{cite news|title=Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the late Philippine dictator,...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/11/01/Ferdinand-Marcos-Jr-son-of-the-late-Philippine-dictator/2733688971600/|access-date=November 29, 2024|agency=UPI|date=November 1, 1991}}{{cite news|title=Imee Marcos is home|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_rxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7|access-date=November 29, 2024|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp.|date=December 19, 1991|page=7|quote=The first member of the Marcos family to make a dramatic comeback was only son Bongbong. He arrived last October 31.}}{{cite news|last=Branigin|first=William|title=Imelda Marcos returns home|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/04/imelda-marcos-returns-home/500f0046-587e-4a5c-82e3-6f941ebfb723/|access-date=November 29, 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=The Washington Post Co.|date=November 3, 1991|quote=7:00 p.m. EST}} He soon sought political office, beginning in the family's traditional fiefdom in Ilocos Norte.{{Cite news|last=Dizon|first=David|date=January 21, 2016|title=If Marcos wins, PH will be laughingstock of the world: Osmena|language=en-US|work=ABS-CBN News|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/01/21/16/if-marcos-wins-ph-will-be-laughingstock-of-the-world-osmena|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511215118/http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/01/21/16/if-marcos-wins-ph-will-be-laughingstock-of-the-world-osmena|url-status=live}}
=House of Representatives, first term=
{{Further|1992 Philippine House of Representatives elections}}
Marcos ran for and was elected representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte to the Philippine House of Representatives (1992–1995).{{Cite web |title=Smell good, Feel good. |url=http://blackwater.com.ph/index.php/home/bong_bong_marcos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020637/http://blackwater.com.ph/index.php/home/bong_bong_marcos |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |publisher=Blackwater}} When his mother, Imelda Marcos, ran for president in the same election, he decided against supporting her candidacy, and instead expressed support for his godfather Danding Cojuangco.{{Cite news |last=Bocobo |first=Ariel |date=December 17, 1991 |title=Public is victim in Senate coup |page=11 |work=Manila Standard |publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_bxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZgsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2977%2C3064434 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214144834/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_bxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZgsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2977,3064434 |url-status=live }} During his term, Marcos was the author of 29 House bills and co-author of 90 more, which includes those that paved the way for the creation of the Department of Energy and the National Youth Commission.{{Cite news |last=Bueza |first=Michael |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Highlights: Bongbong Marcos as legislator |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/highlights-bongbong-marcos-legislator |access-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020224438/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/highlights-bongbong-marcos-legislator |url-status=dead }} He also allocated most of his Countryside Development Fund (CDF) to organizing the cooperatives of teachers and farmers in his home province.{{Cite web |last=Maganes |first=Virgilio Sar. |title='Bongbong' says Urdaneta close to his heart |url=https://northwatch.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/bongbong%25E2%2580%2599-says-urdaneta-close-to-his-heart/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123230314/https://northwatch.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/bongbong%E2%80%99-says-urdaneta-close-to-his-heart/ |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |access-date=November 12, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=About Bongbong Marcos |url=http://www.bongbongmarcos.com/about/ |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=Bongbong Marcos |archive-date=April 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424131751/https://www.bongbongmarcos.com/about/ |url-status=live }}{{better source needed|date=January 2022}} In October 1992, he led a group of ten representatives in attending the first sports summit in the Philippines, held in Baguio.{{Cite news |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Solons, gov't execs join cast for Sports Summit |page=22 |work=Manila Standard |publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TZMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4988%2C3644447 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031161903/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TZMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4988,3644447 |url-status=live }} In late 1994, he was made president of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, which is known for its support for the Marcos regime.{{cite news|last=Maragay|first=Fel V.|title=Wanted: Senatorial candidates for NPC|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q68mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PgsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4494%2C4373749|access-date=November 10, 2022|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp.|date=December 26, 1994|page=24|quote=Rep. Marcos was recently installed as president of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, a move which puzzled even the NPC leaders.|archive-date=November 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110145319/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q68mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PgsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4494,4373749|url-status=live}}
In 1995, Marcos ran for the Senate under the NPC-led coalition but lost, placing only 16th.{{Cite web |title=Marcos hits alleged election cheating |url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/22/Marcos-hits-alleged-election-cheating/1918801115200/ |access-date=November 12, 2015 |website=United Press International |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024447/http://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/22/Marcos-hits-alleged-election-cheating/1918801115200/ |url-status=live }}
==Compromise deal attempt==
In 1995, Bongbong Marcos pushed a deal to allow the Marcos family to keep a quarter of the estimated US$2 billion to US$10 billion ({{₱|{{From USD|2000000000|PHL}}}} to {{₱|{{From USD|10000000000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) that the Philippine government had still not recovered from them, on the condition that all civil cases be dropped – a deal that was eventually struck down by the Philippines' Supreme Court.
=Ilocos Norte governor, second stint=
Having previously served as Ilocos Norte governor from 1983 to 1986, Marcos was again elected as governor of Ilocos Norte in 1998, running against his father's closest friend and ally, Roque Ablan Jr. He served for three consecutive terms ending in 2007.{{Cite web |title=Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. Biography in California |url=http://extremewrite.weebly.com/blog/ferdinand-bongbong-r-marcos-jr-biography-in-california |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118095248/http://extremewrite.weebly.com/blog/ferdinand-bongbong-r-marcos-jr-biography-in-california |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=digwrite}}
=House of Representatives, second term=
In 2007, Marcos ran unopposed for the congressional seat previously held by his older sister Imee.{{Cite news |date=May 17, 2007 |title=Priest's rival claims victory |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070517-66416/Priest%92s_rival_claims_victory |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222003800/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070517-66416/Priest%92s_rival_claims_victory |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2012 }} He was then appointed as deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives. During this term, Marcos supported the passage of the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law, or Republic Act No. 9522.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2022 |title=Hindi Totoo: Si Marcos Jr. ang may-akda ng Philippine Baselines Law |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/bongbong-marcos-author-philippine-baselines-law/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |work=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629064930/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/bongbong-marcos-author-philippine-baselines-law/ |url-status=live }} He also wrote his own version of the law, but the bill only remained in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.{{Cite web |title=R.A. 9522 |url=http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9522_2009.html |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=lawphil.net |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191006/http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9522_2009.html |url-status=live }} He also promoted the Republic Act No. 9502 (Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act) which was enacted on 2009.{{Cite web |title=G.R. No. 190837, March 05, 2014 – Republic of the Philippines, Represented by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Now Food and Drug Administration), Petitioner, v. Drugmaker's Laboratories, Inc. and Terramedic, Inc., Respondents. : March 2014 – Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/cralaw/2014marchdecisions.php?id=175 |access-date=November 12, 2015 |publisher=Chanrobles Virtual Law Library |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118105749/http://www.chanrobles.com/cralaw/2014marchdecisions.php?id=175 |url-status=live }}
=Senate career=
File:Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.jpg File:Bongbong Marcos.jpg{{further|2010 Philippine Senate election}}Marcos made a second attempt for the Senate in 2010. On November 20, 2009, the KBL forged an alliance with the Nacionalista Party (NP) between Marcos and NP chair Senator Manny Villar at the Laurel House in Mandaluyong. Marcos became a guest senatorial candidate of the NP through this alliance.{{Cite news |last=Mendez |first=Christina |date=December 9, 2009 |title=Nacionalista Party breaks alliance with Kilusang Bagong Lipunan |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/530479/nacionalista-party-breaks-alliance-kilusang-bagong-lipunan |access-date=December 22, 2012 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001133812/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/530479/nacionalista-party-breaks-alliance-kilusang-bagong-lipunan |url-status=live }} Marcos was later removed as a member by the KBL National Executive Committee on November 23, 2009.{{Cite news |last=Echeminada |first=Perseus |date=November 24, 2009 |title=Bongbong ousted from KBL after joining Nacionalista Party |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/525997/bongbong-ousted-kbl-after-joining-nacionalista-party |access-date=December 22, 2012 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001135325/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/525997/bongbong-ousted-kbl-after-joining-nacionalista-party |url-status=live }} As such, the NP broke its alliance with the KBL due to internal conflicts within the party, however Marcos remained part of the NP senatorial lineup. He was proclaimed as one of the winning senatorial candidates of the 2010 senate elections. He took office on June 30, 2010.
In the 15th Congress (2010–2013), Marcos authored 34 Senate bills. He also co-authored 17 bills of which seven were enacted into law – most notably the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act whose principal author was Senator Vicente Sotto III; the Cybercrime Prevention Act whose principal author was Senator Edgardo Angara; and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons and the National Health Insurance Acts, both of which were principally authored by Senator Loren Legarda.
In the 16th Congress (2013–2016), Marcos filed 52 bills, of which 28 were refiled from the 15th Congress. One of them was enacted into law: Senate Bill No. 1186, which sought the postponement of the 2013 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, was enacted as Republic Act No. 10632 on October 3, 2013.
Marcos also co-authored 4 Senate bills in the 16th Congress. One of them, Senate Bill No. 712 which was principally authored by Ralph Recto, was enacted as Republic Act No. 10645, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.{{Cite news |last=Marcelo |first=Elisabeth |date=November 11, 2014 |title=PNoy signs law for automatic PhilHealth coverage for senior citizens |language=en |work=GMA News Online and Public Affairs |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/387593/money/companies/pnoy-signs-law-for-automatic-philhealth-coverage-for-senior-citizens/ |access-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019033243/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/387593/money/companies/pnoy-signs-law-for-automatic-philhealth-coverage-for-senior-citizens |url-status=live }}
He was the chair of the Senate committees on urban planning, housing and resettlement, local government, and public works.{{cite press release|url=https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2011/0828_marcos1.asp|title=Sen. Marcos lauds private sector participation in the creation of Dept of Housing|date=August 28, 2011|website=Senate of the Philippines|accessdate=August 15, 2023}} He also chaired the oversight committee on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Organic Act, the congressional oversight panel on the Special Purpose Vehicle Act, and a select oversight committee on barangay affairs.
==2014 pork barrel scam==
In 2014, Bongbong Marcos was implicated by Janet Lim Napoles{{Cite news |last=Santos |first=Matika |date=May 26, 2014 |title=20 senators, 100 congressmen named on Napoles' long list |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/605682/20-senators-100-congressmen-named-in-napoles-long-list |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320133406/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/605682/20-senators-100-congressmen-named-in-napoles-long-list |url-status=live }} and Benhur Luy{{Cite news |last=Carvajal |first=Nancy |date=May 14, 2014 |title=25 senators on Luy list |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/602031/25-senators-on-luy-list |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306091409/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/602031/25-senators-on-luy-list |url-status=live }} in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) Pork Barrel scam through agent Catherine Mae "Maya" Santos.{{Cite news |last=Napoles |first=Janet Lim |title=Affidavit of Janet Lim Napoles |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://www.inquirer.net/videos/afp/Affidavit_Janet-Lim-Napoles_B.pdf |access-date=May 26, 2014 |archive-date=July 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724231745/http://www.inquirer.net/videos/afp/Affidavit_Janet-Lim-Napoles_B.pdf |url-status=live }} He allegedly channeled {{₱|100}}{{nbsp}}million through 4 fake NGOs linked with Napoles.{{Cite news |last=Cabacungan |first=Gil |date=September 23, 2013 |title=Abad should have checked with me–Marcos |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/492851/abad-should-have-checked-with-me-marcos |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306084136/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/492851/abad-should-have-checked-with-me-marcos |url-status=live }} Marcos claimed that the large amounts of money was released by the budget department without his knowledge and that his signatures were forged.{{Cite news |last=Macaraig |first=Ayee |date=September 10, 2013 |title=Marcos: Fund misuse may be beyond PDAF |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/38585-bongbong-marcos-disbursement-acceleration-plan |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306022857/https://www.rappler.com/nation/38585-bongbong-marcos-disbursement-acceleration-plan |url-status=live }} In connection to the PDAF scam, Marcos was also sued for plunder by {{Proper name|iBalik ang Bilyones ng Mamamayan}} ({{Proper name|iBBM}}), an alliance of youth organizations. The group cited Luy's digital files, which showed bogus NGOs with shady or non-existent offices.{{Cite news |last=Cayabyab |first=Marc Jayson |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Bongbong Marcos sued for plunder over pork barrel scam |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/777974/bongbong-marcos-sued-for-plunder-over-pork-barrel-scam |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306092914/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/777974/bongbong-marcos-sued-for-plunder-over-pork-barrel-scam |url-status=live }}
==2016 Commission on Audit suit==
In 2016, Marcos was also sued for plunder for funneling {{₱|205}}{{nbsp}}million of his PDAF via 9 special allotment release orders (SARO) to the following bogus foundations from October 2011 to January 2013, according to Luy's digital files:
- Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation (SDPFFI) – {{₱|15}}{{nbsp}}million
- Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation (CARED) – {{₱|35}}{{nbsp}}million
- People's Organization for Progress and Development Foundation (POPDFI) – {{₱|40}}{{nbsp}}million
- Health Education Assistance Resettlement Training Services (HEARTS) – {{₱|10}}{{nbsp}}million
- Kaupdanan Para Sa Mangunguma Foundation (KMFI) – {{₱|20}}{{nbsp}}million
- National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) – {{₱|100}}{{nbsp}}million
These NGOs were found by the Commission on Audit (COA) as bogus with shady or non-existent offices.
=2016 vice presidential campaign=
{{further|2016 Philippine presidential election}}{{main|Miriam Defensor Santiago 2016 presidential campaign}}
{{wikiquote|Ferdinand_Marcos_Jr.|Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 2016 Vice Presidential campaign}}
On October 5, 2015, Marcos announced via his website that he would run for Vice President of the Philippines in the 2016 general election, stating "I have decided to run for vice president in the May 2016 elections."{{Cite news |last=Lozada |first=Aaron |date=October 5, 2015 |title=Bongbong to run for VP |publisher=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/05/15/bongbong-run-vp |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007020343/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/05/15/bongbong-run-vp |url-status=live }} Marcos ran as an independent candidate.{{Cite news |last=Antiporda |first=Jefferson |date=October 5, 2015 |title=Marcos throws hat in VP derby |work=The Manila Times |url=http://www.manilatimes.net/marcos-throws-hat-in-vp-derby/222381/ |access-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017130331/http://www.manilatimes.net/marcos-throws-hat-in-vp-derby/222381/ |url-status=live }} Prior to his announcement, he had declined an invitation by presidential candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay, to become his running mate.{{Cite news |last=Torregoza |first=Hannah |date=October 6, 2015 |title=Bongbong declares VP bid in 2016, gets Duterte's assurance of support |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/bongbong-declares-vp-bid-in-2016-gets-dutertes-assurance-of-support/ |access-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-date=October 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009004332/http://www.mb.com.ph/bongbong-declares-vp-bid-in-2016-gets-dutertes-assurance-of-support/ |url-status=live }} On October 15, 2015, presidential candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago confirmed that Marcos would serve as her running mate.{{Cite news |last=Hegina |first=Aries Joseph |date=October 15, 2015 |title=Miriam Santiago confirms Bongbong Marcos is her vice president |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/731184/miriam-santiago-confirms-bongbong-marcos-is-her-veep |access-date=October 15, 2015 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017210325/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/731184/miriam-santiago-confirms-bongbong-marcos-is-her-veep |url-status=live }}
Marcos placed second in the tightly contested vice presidential race losing to Camarines Sur 3rd district Representative Leni Robredo, who won by a margin of 263,473 votes,{{Cite news |last1=Rosario |first1=Ben |last2=Santos |first2=Jel |date=May 27, 2016 |title=Duterte victory affirmed; Robredo wins VP race on husband's birthday |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/duterte-victory-affirmed-robredo-wins-vp-race-on-husbands-birthday/ |access-date=May 28, 2016 |archive-date=May 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530041114/http://www.mb.com.ph/duterte-victory-affirmed-robredo-wins-vp-race-on-husbands-birthday/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Pasion |first=Patty |date=May 27, 2016 |title=Duterte, Robredo to be proclaimed next week |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/134488-duterte-robredo-proclamation |access-date=May 28, 2016 |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528155023/http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/134488-duterte-robredo-proclamation |url-status=live }} one of the closest since Fernando Lopez's victory in the 1965 vice presidential election.
==Election results protest==
{{Main|2016 Philippine presidential election#Electoral protest}}
Marcos challenged the results of the election, lodging an electoral protest against Leni Robredo on June 29, 2016, the day before Robredo's oathtaking.{{Cite news |title=Marcos poll protest prompted years-long battle with falsehoods on social media |language=en |work=VeraFiles |url=https://verafiles.org/articles/marcos-poll-protest-prompted-years-long-battle-falsehoods-so |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216124044/https://verafiles.org/articles/marcos-poll-protest-prompted-years-long-battle-falsehoods-so |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Batino |first1=Clarissa |last2=Calonzo |first2=Andreo |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Philippines' Duterte Won't Stop Talking About Quitting |publisher=Bloomberg Quient |location=India |url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2018/08/15/philippine-president-duterte-won-t-stop-talking-about-quitting |access-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815081914/https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2018/08/15/philippine-president-duterte-won-t-stop-talking-about-quitting |url-status=live }} President Rodrigo Duterte has stated several times that he would resign if Marcos would be his successor instead of Vice President Leni Robredo.{{Cite news |last=Nicolas |first=Bernadette D. |date=August 16, 2018 |title=Duterte may resign if Bongbong wins protest |language=en-US |work=BusinessMirror |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/duterte-may-resign-if-bongbong-wins-protest/ |access-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903114846/https://businessmirror.com.ph/duterte-may-resign-if-bongbong-wins-protest/ |url-status=live }}
A recount began in April 2018, covering polling precincts in Iloilo and Camarines Sur, which were areas handpicked by Marcos's camp. In October 2019, the tribunal found that Robredo's lead grew by around 15,000 votes – a total of 278,566 votes from Robredo's original lead of 263,473 votes – after a recount of ballots from the 5,415 clustered precincts in Marcos's identified pilot provinces.{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Electoral tribunal orders Comelec to comment on VP poll protest |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/30/Robredo-Marcos-vice-president-electoral-protest-Supreme-Court-Comelec-OSG.html |access-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027124657/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/30/Robredo-Marcos-vice-president-electoral-protest-Supreme-Court-Comelec-OSG.html |url-status=dead }} On February 16, 2021, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) unanimously dismissed Bongbong Marcos's electoral protest against Leni Robredo.{{Cite news |last=Navallo |first=Mike |date=February 16, 2021 |title=SC junks Bongbong Marcos' poll protest vs Vice President Robredo |language=en |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/sc-junks-bongbong-marcos-poll-protest-vs-vice-president-robredo-source |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216041013/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/16/21/sc-junks-bongbong-marcos-poll-protest-vs-vice-president-robredo-source }}{{Cite news |last=Torres-Tupas |first=Tetch |date=February 16, 2021 |title=PET dismisses Marcos poll protest vs Robredo, stresses 'entire' case junked |language=en |newspaper=The Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1396382/pet-dismisses-marcos-poll-protest-vs-vp-leni-source |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216064038/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1396382/pet-dismisses-marcos-poll-protest-vs-vp-leni-source |archive-date=February 16, 2021}}
=2022 presidential campaign and election=
File:Marcos Duterte-Carpio caravan in Quezon City.jpg during a grand caravan in Quezon City in December 2021]]
{{Further|2022 Philippine presidential election}}
{{Main|Bongbong Marcos 2022 presidential campaign}}
Marcos officially launched his campaign for president of the Philippines on October 5, 2021, through a video post on Facebook and YouTube.{{Citation |title=Bongbong Marcos Official Announcement |url=https://www.facebook.com/BongbongMarcos/videos/bongbong-marcos-official-announcement/593966081745674/ |language=en |access-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161153/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBongbongMarcos%2Fvideos%2Fbongbong-marcos-official-announcement%2F593966081745674%2F |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Bongbong Marcos Official Announcement | date=October 5, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGgSHjVhk14 |language=en |access-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-date=August 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821110124/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGgSHjVhk14 |url-status=live }} An interview with his wife Liza Marcos revealed that he decided to run for president while watching the film Ant-Man,{{cite news |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Marcos decides to run for president while watching 'Ant-Man', wife reveals |publisher=CNN Philippines |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/3/10/Bongbong-Marcos-Ant-Man.html |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608080112/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/3/10/Bongbong-Marcos-Ant-Man.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Bongbong Marcos was watching 'Ant Man' when he decided to run for president, says wife |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1566339/ant-man-inspired-bongbong-marcos-to-run-for-president-says-wife |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513000744/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1566339/ant-man-inspired-bongbong-marcos-to-run-for-president-says-wife |url-status=live }} though Marcos admitted that he could not recall this moment.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obB8hsghMKw|title=Did 'Ant-Man' inspire Bongbong Marcos to run for president?|date=March 15, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022|quote=I'll tell you the truth. I didn't remember that. Because my thoughts were far away. It wasn't just when we were watching in theaters that I was pondering [things].... Actually, when the Boy Abunda interview came out, she mentioned Ant-Man, when we saw each other again, I asked her 'Is that true?'|archive-date=April 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423080514/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obB8hsghMKw&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} He ran under the banner of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas party, assuming chairmanship of the party on the same day,{{Cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Akanksha |last2=Westcott |first2=Ben |date=October 6, 2021 |title=Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, son of late dictator, announces Philippines presidential bid |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/06/asia/philippines-bongbong-marcos-president-bid-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006055816/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/06/asia/philippines-bongbong-marcos-president-bid-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }} while also being endorsed by his former party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.{{Cite news |last=Punzalan |first=Jamaine |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Kilusang Bagong Lipunan nominates Bongbong Marcos as 2022 presidential bet |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/24/21/kbl-nominates-bongbong-marcos-as-2022-presidential-candidate |access-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155334/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/24/21/kbl-nominates-bongbong-marcos-as-2022-presidential-candidate |url-status=live }} Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections the following day.{{Cite news |last=Patinio |first=Ferdinand |date=October 6, 2021 |title=Bongbong Marcos files candidacy for president |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155753 |access-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006072807/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155753 |url-status=live }} On November 16, Marcos announced his running mate to be Davao City mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.{{cite news|last=Mercado|first=Neil Arwin|title=It's official: Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte running in tandem in 2022 elections|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1515954/breaking-its-official-bongbong-inday-sara-running-as-tandem-for-2022|access-date=April 23, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=November 16, 2021|location=Manila, Philippines|archive-date=November 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116153120/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1515954/breaking-its-official-bongbong-inday-sara-running-as-tandem-for-2022|url-status=live}} Under the campaign theme of unity, Marcos and Duterte's alliance was given the name "UniTeam".
Seven petitions were filed against Marcos's presidential bid.{{cite web|title=LIST: Petitions against Bongbong Marcos' 2022 presidential bid|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/9/LIST-Bongbong-Marcos-petitions-2022-bid-Comelec.html|url-status=dead|access-date=January 13, 2022|work=CNN Philippines|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209024637/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/9/LIST-Bongbong-Marcos-petitions-2022-bid-Comelec.html|archive-date=December 9, 2021}}{{cite web|date=November 23, 2021|title=LIST: Petitions seeking to block Bongbong Marcos' 2022 presidential bid|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/list-petitions-filed-against-bongbong-marcos-2022-presidential-bid-comelec/|access-date=January 17, 2022|work=Rappler|language=en-US|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102033950/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/list-petitions-filed-against-bongbong-marcos-2022-presidential-bid-comelec/|url-status=live}} Three petitions aimed to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC), one petition aimed to declare Marcos a nuisance candidate, and three petitions aimed to disqualify him. Most of the petitions were based on Marcos's 1995 conviction for failing to file tax returns. Three disqualification petitions were consolidated and raffled to the commission's first division, while three other petitions were handed to the second division.{{cite web|last=Bordey|first=Hana|title=Marcos Jr. Eleksyon 2022 disqualification case raffled to Comelec First Division|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/812681/marcos-jr-eleksyon-2022-disqualification-case-raffled-to-comelec-first-division/story/|access-date=November 30, 2021|work=GMA News Online|date=November 29, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130073513/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/812681/marcos-jr-eleksyon-2022-disqualification-case-raffled-to-comelec-first-division/story/|url-status=live}} The final petition was also handed to the first division. Marcos dismissed the petitions as nuisance petitions with no legal basis and propaganda against him.{{cite web|last=Corrales|first=Nestor|date=November 17, 2021|title=Bongbong Marcos: No legal basis to disqualify me|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1515985/bongbong-no-legal-basis-to-disqualify-me|access-date=November 30, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|language=en|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130073509/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1515985/bongbong-no-legal-basis-to-disqualify-me|url-status=live}} On May 16 and 18, 2022, respectively, two of the petitions were filed at the Supreme Court.{{Cite news |last=Navallo |first=Mike |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Disqualification petition vs Bongbong Marcos reaches Supreme Court |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/17/22/disqualification-plea-vs-marcos-reaches-supreme-court |access-date=August 27, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News}}{{Cite web |last=Patag |first=Kristine Joy |title=DQ case vs Marcos reaches Supreme Court |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/18/2181993/dq-case-vs-marcos-reaches-supreme-court |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Philstar.com}} The consolidated petitions were dismissed by the Court on June 28.{{Cite web |last=Torres-Tupas |first=Tetch |date=2022-06-28 |title=SC dismisses disqualification cases vs Bongbong Marcos |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1618168/sc-dismisses-disqualification-cases-vs-bongbong-marcos |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=inquirer.net |language=en}}
File:2022 Provincial Results Presidential Simplified.png{{cite news |last1=Dela Peña |first1=Kurt |title=From 2016 to 2022: Provinces' flip key to Marcos win |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1598842/from-2016-to-2022-provinces-flip-key-to-marcos-win |access-date=June 3, 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517070701/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1598842/from-2016-to-2022-provinces-flip-key-to-marcos-win |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |language=en}}]]
Marcos regularly maintained a wide lead in presidential surveys throughout the months leading up to the May 2022 election;{{cite news|last=Baclig|first=Cristina Eloisa|title=The complex role of surveys, public opinion in PH elections|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1556609/the-complex-role-of-surveys-public-opinion-in-ph-elections|access-date=April 23, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=February 18, 2022|location=Manila, Philippines|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508122248/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1556609/the-complex-role-of-surveys-public-opinion-in-ph-elections|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Ruiz|first=Ellalyn de Vera|title=Bongbong, Sara still survey frontrunners — Pulse Asia|url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/06/bongbong-sara-still-survey-frontrunners-pulse-asia/|access-date=April 23, 2022|work=Manila Bulletin|date=April 6, 2022|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602143730/https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/06/bongbong-sara-still-survey-frontrunners-pulse-asia/|url-status=live}} he was the first presidential candidate in the country to attain poll ratings of over 50% from surveys conducted by Pulse Asia since it began polling in 1999.{{cite news|last=Ranada|first=Pia|title=Marcos outstrips rivals, Robredo clear second placer in Pulse Asia survey|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-outstrips-rivals-robredo-clear-second-placer-pulse-asia-presidential-survey-december-2021/|access-date=April 23, 2022|work=Rappler |date=December 22, 2021|location=Manila, Philippines|quote=This is the first time in a Pulse Asia survey that a presidential aspirant got a 'majority vote' equivalent in survey ratings, Pulse Asia executive director Ana Tabunda told Rappler|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602040014/https://www.rappler.com/nation/marcos-outstrips-rivals-robredo-clear-second-placer-pulse-asia-presidential-survey-december-2021/|url-status=live}} His refrainment from attending all but one of the presidential debates during the campaign season was widely criticized.{{cite news|last=Mercado|first=Neil Arwin|title=Bongbong Marcos shuns Comelec debates, cites 'preferred mode of communication with people'|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1568207/bongbong-marcos-shuns-comelec-debates-cites-preferred-mode-of-communication-with-people|access-date=April 23, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=March 14, 2022|location=Manila, Philippines|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602045643/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1568207/bongbong-marcos-shuns-comelec-debates-cites-preferred-mode-of-communication-with-people|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Galvez|first=Daphne|title=Bello wants Comelec to 'penalize' Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte for skipping debates|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1571037/bello-wants-comelec-to-penalize-bongbong-marcos-sara-duterte-for-skipping-debates|access-date=April 23, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=March 20, 2022|location=Manila, Philippines|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511052731/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1571037/bello-wants-comelec-to-penalize-bongbong-marcos-sara-duterte-for-skipping-debates|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Carreon|first1=Frencie|last2=Cantal-Albasin|first2=Grace|title=Some Mindanaoans jeer at Marcos for skipping Comelec debate|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/some-mindanaoans-jeer-marcos-skipping-comelec-debate/|access-date=April 23, 2022|work=Rappler|date=March 20, 2022|location=Zamboanga City, Philippines|archive-date=May 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512052536/https://www.rappler.com/nation/some-mindanaoans-jeer-marcos-skipping-comelec-debate/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Galvez|first=Daphne|title=Pacquiao keen on attending Comelec debate, if Bongbong Marcos shows up|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1586655/pacquiao-keen-on-attending-comelec-debate-if-bongbong-marcos-shows-up-too|access-date=April 23, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=April 22, 2022|location=Manila, Philippines|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605111558/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1586655/pacquiao-keen-on-attending-comelec-debate-if-bongbong-marcos-shows-up-too|url-status=live}}
In a joint session of the 18th Congress of the Philippines, overseen by Senate President Tito Sotto and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and stated by Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, Marcos was proclaimed the president-elect of the Philippines on May 25, 2022, alongside his running-mate, Vice-President-elect Sara Duterte. Marcos received 31,629,783 votes, or 58.77% of the total votes cast, about 16.5 million votes ahead of his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, who received over 15 million votes.{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Marcos Jr. officially proclaimed president-elect |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/25/Bongbong-Marcos-proclaimed-Philippines-president-2022.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 25, 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620033847/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/25/Bongbong-Marcos-proclaimed-Philippines-president-2022.html }} He became the first presidential candidate to be elected by a majority since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1986.{{cite news |last=Galvez |first=Daphne |date=May 25, 2022 |title=VP-elect Sara Duterte mum on why family members absent during proclamation |publisher=The Philippine Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1602580/vp-elect-sara-duterte-mum-on-why-family-members-absent-during-proclamation |access-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526002228/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1602580/vp-elect-sara-duterte-mum-on-why-family-members-absent-during-proclamation |url-status=live }} According to analysts, Marcos, together with Sara Duterte, "inherited" Rodrigo Duterte's popularity when they both won landslides in the election.{{cite news |last1=Manahan |first1=Job |title=Duterte's popularity, regionalism crystalized votes for Marcos Jr., Sara Duterte: analysts |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/10/22/solid-north-solid-south-solidified-votes-for-marcos-jr-sara-duterte |work=ABS-CBN News |date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512182350/https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/10/22/solid-north-solid-south-solidified-votes-for-marcos-jr-sara-duterte |archive-date=May 12, 2022}} Historians noted the significance of his victory as a "full circle" of the Philippines from the People Power Revolution, which deposed his father from the presidency, thus marking the Marcos family's return to national power after 36 years.{{cite news |title=The son of late dictator Marcos has won the Philippines' presidential election |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/10/1097903733/ferdinand-marcos-wins-philippines-presidential-election |access-date=May 12, 2022 |work=Associated Press |agency=NPR |date=May 10, 2022 |location=Manila |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512082804/https://www.npr.org/2022/05/10/1097903733/ferdinand-marcos-wins-philippines-presidential-election |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Biden, Xi congratulate Marcos Jr on Philippine presidential win |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/12/us-china-congratulate-marcos-jr-on-philippine-presidential-win |access-date=May 12, 2022 |work=Al Jazeera |date=May 12, 2022 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512082806/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/12/us-china-congratulate-marcos-jr-on-philippine-presidential-win |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Cabato |first1=Regine |last2=Westfall |first2=Sammy |title=Marcos family once ousted by uprising wins Philippines vote in landslide |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/10/philippines-presidential-election-result-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos/ |access-date=May 12, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510073822/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/10/philippines-presidential-election-result-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos/ |url-status=live }} His majority was the largest since 1981 (surpassing his father's 18,309,360 votes); as the opposition boycotted that election, it is the largest majority since 1969 for a competitive election, and his 31-percentage point margin over his nearest opponent was the greatest since Ramon Magsaysay scored a 38-point margin over incumbent President Elpidio Quirino in 1953. His vote count was not only the largest ever recorded in a presidential election, but close to the sum total of the two previous records combined.
On June 20, 2022, Marcos announced that he will serve as the Secretary of Agriculture in concurrent capacity.{{Cite news |last=Mercado |first=Neil Arwin |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Bongbong Marcos to head agriculture department in concurrent post |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613544/bongbong-marcos-to-head-department-of-agriculture-in-concurrent-post |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620092038/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613544/bongbong-marcos-to-head-department-of-agriculture-in-concurrent-post |url-status=live }}
Presidency (2022–present)
{{Main|Presidency of Bongbong Marcos}}
{{see also|Presidential transition of Bongbong Marcos|Inauguration of Bongbong Marcos}}
{{Infobox President styles
| name = Bongbong Marcos
| image = 50px
| dipstyle = President Marcos Jr., His Excellency
| offstyle = Your Excellency
| altstyle = Mr. President
}}
File:Bongbong Marcos inaugural address 6.30.22 (4).jpg
File:20220725-SONAPBBM2.jpg on July 25, 2022.]]
=Early actions=
On June 30, 2022, at 12:00 noon PST, Marcos Jr. took the oath of office as the 17th President of the Philippines at the National Museum of the Philippines and was administered the oath by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.{{cite news |last1=Gita-Carlos |first1=Ruth Abbey |title=Marcos Jr. sworn in as PH's 17th president |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177892 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630092749/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177892 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Marcos officially declared Philippines' next president |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Philippine-elections/Marcos-officially-declared-Philippines-next-president |work=Nikkei Asia |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620033842/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Philippine-elections/Marcos-officially-declared-Philippines-next-president |url-status=live }} At concurrent capacity, Marcos appointed himself as Secretary of Agriculture, in order to address inflation and personally monitor the food and agricultural sectors, while enacting efforts to boost farm outputs through various loan programs, affordable pricing measures, and machinery assistance.{{cite news |title=Marcos Names Himself Agriculture Chief to Tackle Food Cost |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-20/marcos-appoints-himself-agriculture-chief-to-tackle-food-prices |work=Bloomberg.com |date=June 20, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161111/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-20/marcos-appoints-himself-agriculture-chief-to-tackle-food-prices |url-status=live }} Marcos's first executive order as president were abolishing two offices: the Presidential Anti Corruption Commission and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.{{cite web|title=Executive Order No. 1, s. 2022|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/07jul/20220630-EO-1-FRM.pdf|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|date=June 30, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161051/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/07jul/20220630-EO-1-FRM.pdf|url-status=live}}
The next day after his inauguration, Marcos signed a memorandum seeking to provide free train rides to students, and extends the free rides of the EDSA Carousel until the end of December 2022.{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=DOTr: Marcos extends free EDSA Carousel bus rides, OKs free train rides for students |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620343/dotr-bongbong-marcos-extends-free-edsa-carousel-bus-rides-oks-free-train-rides-for-students |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 1, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155515/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620343/dotr-bongbong-marcos-extends-free-edsa-carousel-bus-rides-oks-free-train-rides-for-students |url-status=live }} Twelve days later, on July 13, 2022, Marcos announced that the free train rides will only be limited to students using the LRT Line 2, due to the line's access points to the University Belt.{{cite news |last1=Cordero |first1=Ted |title=DOTr: Free train rides for students now only on LRT2 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/serbisyopubliko/transportation/838035/dotr-free-train-rides-for-students-now-only-on-lrt2/story/?just_in |work=GMA News Online |language=en |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155515/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/serbisyopubliko/transportation/838035/dotr-free-train-rides-for-students-now-only-on-lrt2/story/?just_in |url-status=live }}
Two days after his inauguration, on July 2, 2022, Marcos vetoed a bill sponsored by his sister Senator Imee Marcos that aimed to create a free economic zone within New Manila International Airport. Bongbong Marcos said that the bill would cite "substantial fiscal risks", lacked coherences with existing laws, and the proposed economic zone's location near the existing Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone; Marcos also called for further studies in establishing the planned economic zone.{{cite news |last1=Camus |first1=Miguel R. |title=Bongbong Marcos vetoes bill on Bulacan Airport City ecozone |url=https://business.inquirer.net/352006/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-bill-on-bulacan-airport-city-ecozone |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 2, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155514/https://business.inquirer.net/352006/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-bill-on-bulacan-airport-city-ecozone |url-status=live }} On the same day, Marcos also ordered that the list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries to be cleansed after receiving reports of unqualified beneficiaries receiving cash assistance grants and downturned calls to surrender their accounts.
On July 5, 2022, five days after his inauguration, Marcos held his first cabinet meeting, which was delayed during his inauguration, and laid out his first agenda, which primarily focuses on reviving the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, Marcos led the discussions with his economic managers, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla, to give a briefing about the country's economic status, and to lay out plans to further revive the country's economy, while combating inflation.{{cite news |title=President Marcos focuses on PH economy in first Cabinet meeting |url=https://ptvnews.ph/president-marcos-focuses-on-ph-economy-in-first-cabinet-meeting/ |work=PTV News |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155518/https://ptvnews.ph/president-marcos-focuses-on-ph-economy-in-first-cabinet-meeting/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=Bongbong Marcos holds first Cabinet meeting |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1621845/bongbong-marcos-holds-first-cabinet-meeting |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 5, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155516/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1621845/bongbong-marcos-holds-first-cabinet-meeting |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Marcos holds first Cabinet meeting; focus on PH economy |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/05/marcos-holds-first-cabinet-meeting-focusing-on-ph-economy/ |work=Manila Bulletin |date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110155518/https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/05/marcos-holds-first-cabinet-meeting-focusing-on-ph-economy/ |url-status=live }} Marcos also tackled issues regarding food security, transportation issues, and the reopening of face-to-face classes within the year. On July 23, 2022, Marcos has vetoed a bill which seeks to strengthen the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), as he cited that several provisions of the bill are "inequitable".{{cite news |last1=Pinlac |first1=Beatrice |title=Bongbong Marcos vetoes bill strengthening OGCC |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1632970/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-bill-strengthening-ogcc |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 23, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111184910/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1632970/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-bill-strengthening-ogcc |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Valente |first1=Catherine S. |title=BBM vetoes bill for govt lawyers |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/24/news/national/bbm-vetoes-bill-for-govt-lawyers/1851964 |work=The Manila Times |date=July 24, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111184919/https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/24/news/national/bbm-vetoes-bill-for-govt-lawyers/1851964 |url-status=live }}
On July 25, 2022, the same day of his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos allowed Republic Act No. 11900, known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act to lapse into law. The law became controversial, due to the hounding health risks regarding the usage of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.{{cite news |last1=Manahan |first1=Job |title=Controversial bill lowering the age for vape access lapses into law: Palace |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/26/22/controversial-vape-bill-lapses-into-law |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111184910/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/26/22/controversial-vape-bill-lapses-into-law |url-status=live }} In an effort to boost the country's booster shot campaign, Marcos launched the "PinasLakas" campaign to continue administering COVID-19 booster doses within the public, by targeting a total of at least 39 million Filipinos to get their booster shots.{{cite news |title=PinasLakas administers 3.4M 1st booster dose in 100 days |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185889 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025072907/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185889 |url-status=live }}
Two days after his first State of the Nation Address, following a meeting with Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Presidential Legal Adviser Juan Ponce Enrile, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and former presidential spokesman and lawyer Harry Roque on July 27, 2022, Marcos expressed that the Philippines has no intention of rejoining the International Criminal Court, as the death cases linked to the country's drug war of his predecessor's administration are already being investigated by the government, and stated that the government is taking the necessary steps regarding the deaths.{{cite news |title=PH has no intention of rejoining ICC: Marcos |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180284 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111184914/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180284 |url-status=live }} On July 30, 2022, Marcos vetoed a bill which grants tax exemption on poll workers' honoraria and the creation of a transport safety board, stating that the honoraria "counters the objective of the government's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program", while mentioning that the proposed creation of a transport safety board "undertakes the functions by the different agencies" within the transport sector.{{cite news |last1=Sarao |first1=Zacarian |title=Bongbong Marcos vetoes transport safety board, tax-free poll workers' honoraria bills |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1637766/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-transport-safety-board-tax-free-poll-workers-honoraria-bills |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 30, 2022 |language=en |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111184909/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1637766/bongbong-marcos-vetoes-transport-safety-board-tax-free-poll-workers-honoraria-bills |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Marcos explains veto on bill making tax-exempt teachers' poll service pay |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/01/marcos-explains-veto-on-bill-making-tax-exempt-teachers-poll-service-pay/ |work=Manila Bulletin |date=August 1, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111190413/https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/01/marcos-explains-veto-on-bill-making-tax-exempt-teachers-poll-service-pay/ |url-status=live }}
=Domestic policy=
==Agriculture and agrarian reforms==
File:PBBM holds a tour and inspection of another Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlet in Koronadal City, South Cotabato (03).jpg, South Cotabato, in June 2023]]
Subsequently serving as the Secretary of Agriculture, Marcos launched initiatives which aims to improve domestic agricultural output and production, while expanding measures to further establish a farm-to-market approach in providing agricultural products to local markets and far flung areas.{{cite news |last1=Galvez |first1=Daphne |title=Marcos wants to accelerate efforts to build agricultural sector back |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1675999/marcos-wants-to-accelerate-efforts-to-build-back-agricultural-sector |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=October 6, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=Bongbong Marcos orders DA: Create farm-to-market road masterplan |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1630011/bongbong-marcos-wants-to-strengthen-farm-to-market-road-program |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 18, 2022 |language=en}} In August 2022, as high sugar prices impacted the country due to the effects of Typhoon Odette in December 2021, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) in August 2022 released an order to import {{convert|300,000|MT|lb}} of sugar, which is aimed to reduce costs and increase the sugar stockpiles. A few days later, Marcos rejected the proposed importation,{{cite news |last1=Romero |first1=Alexis |title=Marcos rejects proposal to import more sugar |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/08/10/2201722/marcos-rejects-proposal-import-more-sugar |access-date=August 12, 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810112216/https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/08/10/2201722/marcos-rejects-proposal-import-more-sugar |archive-date=August 10, 2022}} and Malacañang deemed the move as illegal, as the move was made without Marcos's approval, nor signed by him.{{cite news |last1=Unite |first1=Betheena |title=Palace probes 'illegal, unauthorized' order on sugar importation |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/11/palace-probes-illegal-unauthorized-order-on-sugar-importation/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811053658/https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/11/palace-probes-illegal-unauthorized-order-on-sugar-importation/ |archive-date=August 11, 2022}} SRA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian later apologized for the move and later resigned his post on Marcos; behalf,{{cite news |last1=Panti |first1=Llanesca T. |title=Resigned DA exec says he signed sugar importation order due to dwindling supply |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/841619/resigned-da-exec-says-he-signed-sugar-importation-order-due-to-dwindling-supply/story/ |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=GMA News Online |date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815112058/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/841619/resigned-da-exec-says-he-signed-sugar-importation-order-due-to-dwindling-supply/story/ |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |language=en}} prompting SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and SRA board member Roland Beltran to follow suit a few days later.{{cite news |title=Sugar Regulatory administrator resigns |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/16/Sugar-Regulatory-administrator-resigns.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |date=August 16, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816032709/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/16/Sugar-Regulatory-administrator-resigns.html |archive-date=August 16, 2022}} The move also caused Malacañang to instigate reforms within the SRA organization,{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=Bongbong Marcos to reorganize SRA, negotiate with millers amid sugar shortage |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1648247/bongbong-marcos-to-reorganize-sra-negotiate-with-millers-amid-sugar-shortage |access-date=August 19, 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817054704/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1648247/bongbong-marcos-to-reorganize-sra-negotiate-with-millers-amid-sugar-shortage |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |language=en}} and launched a campaign into alleged efforts of using the sugar order as a "cover measure" for hoarding by sugar traders.{{cite news |last1=Cariaso |first1=Bella |title=Marcos urged to crack down on sugar hoarders |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/11/news/marcos-urged-to-crack-down-on-sugar-hoarders/1854223 |work=The Manila Times |date=August 11, 2022 |language=en}}
In November 2022, Marcos expanded the Kadiwa Project launched by the Duterte administration, which aims to offer fresh local produces to local markets and other key areas in lower prices, and creates a direct farm-to-market approach of goods and services.{{cite news |last1=Galvez |first1=Daphne |title=Kadiwa store program eyed until February, March — Bongbong Marcos |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1700087/fwd-marcos-jr-says-kadiwa-store-program-may-continue-until-february-or-march |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=December 1, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=Expanded Kadiwa store project good for farmers, consumers, agri group says |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1694170/expanded-kadiwa-store-project-good-for-farmers-consumers-agri-group-says |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 16, 2022 |language=en}} The programs is located in various areas throughout the country and temporarily occupies various facilities owned by local governments. The move is also aimed to be expanded permanently to accommodate more consumers affected by inflation.{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Helen |title=Marcos eyes permanent Kadiwa stores nationwide |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/09/2250327/marcos-eyes-permanent-kadiwa-stores-nationwide |work=The Philippine Star}}
In January 2023, amid rising prices of onions in the country, Marcos approved the importation of {{convert|21,060|MT|lb}} of onions to cater the gap caused by low local outputs,{{cite news |title=Onion woes 'a demand and supply situation' Marcos says as prices remain high |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/19/23/govt-hiking-onion-production-amid-high-prices-marcos}} and stated that the government was "left without a choice" despite approving the smuggled onions to be supplied in local markets.{{cite news |last1=Soriano |first1=JP |title=Marcos says government had no choice but import onions to meet demand |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/857527/marcos-says-government-had-no-choice-but-import-onions-to-meet-demand/story/ |work=GMA News Online |language=en}}
Marcos signed his fourth executive order on September 14, 2022, which establishes a one-year moratorium on the amortization and interest payments of agrarian reform beneficiaries. The move is seen to assist farmers from debt payments and allows a flexible approach in financial assistance.{{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=Marcos freezes Carp amortization for one year |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1663239/marcos-orders-1-year-moratorium-on-payments-of-agrarian-reform-beneficiaries |access-date=September 14, 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913070628/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1663239/marcos-orders-1-year-moratorium-on-payments-of-agrarian-reform-beneficiaries |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |language=en}}
In July 2023, Marcos signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, freeing at least 600,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries of decades-old debts worth {{Philippine peso}}57-billion under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.{{cite news |last1=Royandoyan |first1=Ramon |last2=Flores |first2=Helen |title=Marcos enacts debt forgiveness law for 610k farmers |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/07/2279346/marcos-enacts-debt-forgiveness-law-610k-farmers |access-date=July 14, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707164046/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/07/2279346/marcos-enacts-debt-forgiveness-law-610k-farmers |archive-date=July 7, 2023}}
After serving as Secretary of Agriculture for over a year that was marked by a rise in food prices, Marcos relinquished his position and appointed Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., president of a deep-sea fishing company and a donor to Marcos's 2022 presidential election campaign.{{cite news |last1=Venzon |first1=Cliff Harvey |last2=Lopez |first2=Ditas B. |title=Philippines' Marcos Gives Up Agriculture Post, Names New Head |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-03/philippines-marcos-gives-up-agriculture-post-names-new-head |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=Bloomberg |date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106014109/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-03/philippines-marcos-gives-up-agriculture-post-names-new-head |archive-date=November 6, 2023}}
==Defense==
File:Fumio Kishida and Bongbong Marcos.jpg in Tokyo in February 2023]]
File:P20230501AS-1321.jpg at the White House in May 2023]]
In August 2022, the Marcos administration said it was considering ordering helicopters from the United States military, such as the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, to replace the 16 Russian Mil Mi-17 military helicopters purchased by the Duterte administration, but cancelled the program a few days before the end of Duterte's term out of concerns about existing United States sanctions such as the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and possible future sanctions in response to the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negotiations are also ongoing to procure limited units which was paid by the government to Rosoboronexport.{{cite news |title=Marcos Turns to US To Fill Canceled Russian Helicopter Contract |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/marcos-turns-to-us-to-fill-canceled-russian-helicopter-contract/ |work=The Diplomat}}{{cite news |last1=Joviland |first1=Rita |title=Marcos committed to continuing AFP modernization program – military official |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/843461/marcos-committed-to-continuing-afp-modernization-program-military-official/story/ |work=GMA News Online |language=en}}
Marcos expressed support for the AFP Modernization Program,{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=Bongbong Marcos eyes 'stronger, bigger' air force to defend PH |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620324/bongbong-marcos-eyes-stronger-bigger-air-force-to-defend-ph |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 1, 2022 |language=en}} which aims to boost the country's defense capabilities. Stating that the country's external security situation is becoming "more complex and unpredictable", Marcos ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to shift its focus on its defense operations against external threats, due to the lower risks in the country's insurgencies, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.{{cite news |title=PBBM assures support for AFP modernization, enhanced troop readiness |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/22/pbbm-assures-support-for-afp-modernization-enhanced-troop-readiness |work=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Abarca |first1=Charie |title=Bongbong Marcos: AFP modernization to continue 'to address present dangers' PH is facing |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1798977/marcos-afp-modernization-to-continue-to-address-present-dangers-ph-is-facing |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |date=July 8, 2023}}
During the 125th-anniversary celebration of the Philippine Navy, Marcos announced plans to acquire the Philippines' first submarine. The French-based Naval Group, along with other contenders, has offered its Scorpène-class submarines to strengthen the Navy.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Ritu |title=Philippines To Acquire Its First-Ever Submarine As It Prepares To Stand Up To China In David Vs Goliath Clash |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/philippines-to-acquire-its-first-ever-submarine-as-it-prepare/ |access-date=June 29, 2023 |work=The EurAsian Times |date=June 28, 2023}}
With an aim to enhance the country's defense capabilities, Marcos has approved the "Re-Horizon 3" of the AFP Modernization Program, which is also known as the RAFMP. The $35 billion plan revised modernization program will be spread out over 10 years and aims to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines based on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), a defense concept aimed at strengthening the country's external defense deterrence by projecting power within the Philippine's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, Benham Rise, the Luzon Strait, and the Sulu Sea through inter-island defenses doctrines, multi-layered domain strategies, and long-range strike capabilities.{{cite news |title=CADC to allow PH to defend sea lanes of communication |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221211}} The concept also aims to strengthen the country's aerial and maritime domain awareness, connectivity, and intelligence capabilities.{{cite news |title=Marcos approved AFP modernization's 'Horizon 3' —Teodoro |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/895212/marcos-approved-afp-modernization-s-horizon-3-teodoro/story/ |work=GMA News Online |date=January 24, 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense |website=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216955}}{{cite news |last1=Punongbayan |first1=Michael |title=Marcos Jr. approves military procurement 'wish list' |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/02/2351946/marcos-jr-approves-military-procurement-wish-list |work=Philstar.com}}
On April 15, 2025, Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 12174, prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons in the Philippines.{{Cite news |date=April 25, 2025 |title=Marcos Jr. signs law banning chemical weapons |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/25/marcos-jr-signs-law-banning-chemical-weapons-1655 |access-date=April 25, 2025 |publisher=ABS-CBN |language=en}}
==Education==
In August 2022, despite the low COVID-19 vaccination rate among Filipino students with a total vaccination rate of only 19%, Marcos, along with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, reopened onsite classes throughout the country, with 46% or 24,000 schools throughout the country reopening their classes on August 22. Meanwhile, 29,721 schools were allowed to continue implementing blended learning from August to October 2022,{{cite news |title=Filipino students return to face-to-face classes after 2 years of distance learning |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/22/Face-to-face-classes-school-year-2022-2023-COVID-19-pandemic.html |access-date=August 23, 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822004109/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/22/Face-to-face-classes-school-year-2022-2023-COVID-19-pandemic.html |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |url-status=dead }} while the full implementation of onsite classes began within November 2022, with 97.5% of public schools returning to onsite classes, while the remaining 2.36% of classes were temporarily held online due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.{{cite news |last1=Layson |first1=Mer |date=November 8, 2022 |title=DepEd: 97.5% ng public schools, nakabalik na sa full F2F classes |trans-title=DepEd: 97.5% of public schools have already returned to full F2F classes |url=https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2022/11/08/2222283/deped-975-ng-public-schools-nakabalik-na-sa-full-f2f-classes |work=The Philippine Star |language=Filipino}}
Marcos also reviewed the implementation of the K–12 program as part of his push to modernize the country's education system, and laid out measures such as system reforms to address the lack of jobs and potential job mismatches, reviewing the usage of English as a medium of instruction in schools, and improving the country's education technology systems.{{cite news |last1=Santos |first1=Jamil |title=Marcos: K-12 program under careful review |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/839333/marcos-k-12-program-under-careful-review/story/ |work=GMA News Online |date=July 25, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bajo |first1=Anna Felicia |title=Marcos wants review of education curriculum to address jobs mismatch |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/837905/marcos-wants-review-of-education-curriculum-to-address-job-mis |work=GMA News Online |language=en}} Marcos also expressed his support to modernize the country's schools by improving science-related subjects and courses, theoretical aptitude, and vocational skills.{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Helen |title=Marcos vows upgrade of schools, teachers |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/31/2241430/marcos-vows-upgrade-schools-teachers |work=The Philippine Star |date=January 31, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=Bongbong Marcos vows reform in PH education: Not in history but in sciences, vocational skills |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1619659/bongbong-marcos-vows-reform-in-ph-education-not-in-history-but-in-sciences-vocational-skills |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=June 30, 2022 |language=en}}
==Economy==
{{Excerpt|Presidency of Bongbong Marcos|Economy}}
File:PBBM-World Economic Forum-PH4.jpg president Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss president Alain Berset at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023]]
In the early years of his presidency, he sought to prioritize the country's post-COVID-19 pandemic economy as highlighted by his economic agenda.{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Neil Arwin |title=Bongbong Marcos team presents 8-point economic agenda |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1635258/bongbong-marcos-team-presents-8-point-economic-agenda |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 26, 2022 |language=en}} He lift the lockdowns and facemask restrictions. His administration sought to target a 6.5 to 7.5% real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, with a 6.5 to 8% annual real GDP growth rate, a 9% or single-digit poverty rate by 2028, a 3% national government deficit-to-GDP ratio by 2028, lowering the country's debt-to-GDP ratio to less than 60% by 2025, and securing an upper middle-income status by 2024 with a US$4,256 income per capita, which is part of his 2023–2028 fiscal strategy. Marcos also supports the creation of additional economic zones in various areas of the country to attract investments and laid out plans to impose digital taxes and improve the country's tax compliance procedures which should improve revenue collections and cut the country's debts, while maintaining the country's disbursements at above 20 percent of its GDP.{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title=What Marcos said in his first SONA, from A-Z |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/26/2198078/what-marcos-said-his-first-sona-z |work=The Philippine Star |date=January 31, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Geducos |first1=Argyll Cyrus |title=Marcos bares plans for economic recovery in first SONA |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/25/marcos-bares-plans-for-economic-recovery-in-first-sona/ |work=Manila Bulletin |date=July 26, 2022 |language=en}}
==Insurgency==
{{Excerpt|Presidency of Bongbong Marcos|Insurgency|subsections=yes}}
==Telecommunications==
{{Excerpt|Presidency of Bongbong Marcos|Telecommunications|subsections=yes}}
=Foreign policy=
{{see also|List of international presidential trips made by Bongbong Marcos}}
File:Bongbong Marcos delivered remarks at the General Assembly Hall for 2022 UNGA.jpg on September 20, 2022.]]
File:Bongbong Marcos and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.jpg during the latter's visit to Manila on June 3, 2024.]]
Early in his presidency, Marcos promised to continue his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte's foreign policy of being "friends to all, enemies to none".{{cite news |last1=Gita-Carlos |first1=Ruth Abbey |title=PBBM pledges 'safer, more prosperous' PH amid challenging times |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179454 |access-date=July 30, 2022 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722024612/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179454 |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |language=en}} Marcos initially sought closer ties with China,{{cite web | url=https://www.thetrumpet.com/25907-new-philippine-president-seeks-deeper-ties-with-china | title=New Philippine President Seeks Deeper Ties with China | access-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202203326/https://www.thetrumpet.com/25907-new-philippine-president-seeks-deeper-ties-with-china | url-status=live }} but has since been increasingly seen as more pro-American than Duterte in an attempt to create a centrist-style balancing act between the two superpowers.{{cite web |last1=Bordey |first1=Hana |title=Marcos: PH rejects claims SCS disputes due to rivalry of 2 'powerful countries' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/881234/marcos-ph-rejects-claims-scs-disputes-due-to-us-china-rivalry/story/ |website=GMA News Online |language=en |date=September 6, 2023}}{{cite news |title=The Philippines' Quest for Balance: Marcos' Foreign Policy |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/the-philippines-quest-for-balance-marcos-foreign-policy/ |work=thediplomat.com}}{{cite web |last1=Grossman |first1=Derek |title=The Philippines Is America's New Star Ally in Asia |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/21/philippines-marcos-bongbong-china-japan-us-alliance-indo-pacific-geopolitics/ |website=Foreign Policy |date=May 2, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Marcos Jr fashions a flexible foreign policy for the Philippines |url=https://eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/21/marcos-jr-fashions-a-flexible-foreign-policy-for-the-philippines/}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-05-05/how-philippines-s-marcos-presidency-could-shelve-billion-dollar-court-battles | title=Philippines Chased Dictator Marcos Billions for Years. Now His Son Could End up in Charge | newspaper=Bloomberg.com | date=May 5, 2022 | access-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-date=May 10, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510034205/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-05-05/how-philippines-s-marcos-presidency-could-shelve-billion-dollar-court-battles | url-status=live }} During his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos promised to "not preside over any process that will abandon even one-square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power".{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Daniza |title=Bongbong Marcos stands firm on protecting PH waters |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1634424/bongbong-marcos-stands-firm-on-protecting-ph-waters |work=INQUIRER.net |date=July 25, 2022 |language=en}}
Under his presidency, Marcos intensified the Philippines' cooperation on both economic and defense arrangements to Western countries, such as the United States, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, while strengthening its defense posture within the region.{{cite web |title=Sea Change: 'Bongbong' Marcos and the Future of the South China Sea |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/sea-change-bongbong-marcos-and-the-future-of-the-south-china-sea/ |website=thediplomat.com}}{{cite web |last1=Bower |first1=Chloe |title=Philippine President Marcos Jr.'s Foreign Policy Emphasizes Cooperation |url=https://bowergroupasia.com/philippine-president-marcos-jr-s-foreign-policy-emphasizes-cooperation/ |website=BowerGroupAsia |date=March 20, 2023}} Marcos approved the designation of four additional bases to be used by the United States military under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Andrea Chloe |title=Marcos has turned the Philippines towards America – not without risks |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/marcos-has-turned-philippines-towards-america-not-without-risks |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Lowy Institute |date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428112745/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/marcos-has-turned-philippines-towards-america-not-without-risks |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |language=en}} In May 2024, the Philippines and the United States held its largest Balikatan military exercises, fueling concerns from local civilians who fear they would be affected in any future war between the US and China.{{cite news |last1=Aspinwall |first1=Nick |title=Philippines, US simulate mock invasions in largest ever war games |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/9/philippines-us-simulate-mock-invasions-in-largest-ever-war-games |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509231925/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/9/philippines-us-simulate-mock-invasions-in-largest-ever-war-games |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |language=en}} The deployment of the United States' Typhon Weapons System in an undisclosed location in northern Luzon also caught the attention of Russian president Vladimir Putin, who said that Russia should resume producing nuclear-capable missiles and consider where to deploy them.{{cite news |title=Putin cites US missiles in PH, mulls deployment |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/241070/putin-cites-us-missiles-in-ph-mulls-deployment |access-date=2 July 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=July 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630210453/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/241070/putin-cites-us-missiles-in-ph-mulls-deployment |archive-date=June 30, 2024 |language=en}}
Marcos called on all involved parties on the South China Sea to abide by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in order to diffuse potential conflicts in the future.{{cite web |last1=Galvez |first1=Daphne |title=Bongbong Marcos: Abide by Unclos to prevent conflict in South China Sea |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/214957/bongbong-marcos-abide-by-unclos-to-prevent-conflict-in-south-china-sea |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |date=May 11, 2023}} Due to Marcos's "transparency thrust" in dealing with the aggressive actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia, China–Philippines relations have significantly deteriorated during Marcos's tenure, with increasing tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea{{cite news |last1=Cabato |first1=Regine |title=Philippines strikes security deals as tensions rise with China at sea |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/09/philippines-south-china-sea-security/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 19, 2024}}{{cite news|work=France24|title=Philippines, China trade blame for collision in disputed waters|quote=Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated under President Ferdinand Marcos, who has sought to improve ties with traditional ally Washington and push back against Chinese actions in the South China Sea.|date=December 10, 2023|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231210-philippine-supply-boat-rammed-by-china-coast-guard-vessel-official}} and the Philippines withdrawing from the Belt and Road initiative.{{cite news|date=November 4, 2023|work=Times Now News|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/after-italy-philippines-to-exit-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-article-104955410|title=After Italy, Philippines to exit China's Belt and Road Initiative}}
Court cases
=Income and estate tax case convictions=
File:Protest vs Marcos Tax Evader.jpg
On June 27, 1990, a special tax audit team of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) investigated the tax liabilities and obligations of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who died on September 29, 1989. The investigation disclosed in a 1991 memorandum that the Marcos family had failed to file estate tax returns and several income tax returns covering the years of 1982 to 1986 in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code.{{Cite PH act|chamber=GR|number=120880|title=Ferdinand R. Marcos II, Petitioner, vs. Court of Appeals, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Herminia D. De Guzman |url=https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1997/jun1997/gr_120880_1997.html |date=June 5, 1997 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |publisher=The Lawphil Project – Arellano Law Foundation, Inc.|archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317194719/https://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1997/jun1997/gr_120880_1997.html |url-status=live }}
The BIR also issued a deficiency estate tax assessment against the estate of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1991 for unpaid estate taxes from 1982 to 1985, and 1985 to 1986, totaling {{₱|23293607638}} ({{₱|97792696739}} in 2022). Formal assessment notices were served to Bongbong Marcos at his office at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on October 20, 1992, who was then the representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte. Several notices of levy were also issued by the BIR February 22, 1993, to May 26, 1993, to satisfy the deficiency of estate tax returns, to no avail.
On March 12, 1993, lawyer Loreto Ata, representing Bongbong Marcos, called the attention of the BIR to notify them of any action taken by the BIR against his client. Bongbong Marcos then filed an instant petition on June 25, 1993, for certiorari and prohibition to contest the estate tax deficiency assessment.
On July 27, 1995, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Benedicto Ulep convicted Marcos to seven years in jail and a fine of US$2,812 ({{₱|{{From USD|2812|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) plus back taxes for tax evasion in his failure to file an income tax return from the period of 1982 to 1985 while sitting as the vice governor of Ilocos Norte (1980–1983) and as governor of Ilocos Norte (1983–1986).{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1995 |title=Marcos Jr. sentenced to 7 years in jail |work=United Press International |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/07/31/Marcos-Jr-sentenced-to-7-years-in-jail/7120807163200/ |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |access-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211072426/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/07/31/Marcos-Jr-sentenced-to-7-years-in-jail/7120807163200/ |url-status=live }} Marcos subsequently appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals over his conviction. However, in 1994, the Court of Appeals ruled that the estate tax deficiency assessment had become "final and unappealable", allowing it to be enforced.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2022 |title=Isko to go after P200-B Marcos estate tax debt if elected president |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/isko-moreno-go-after-marcos-estate-tax-debt/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404131819/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/isko-moreno-go-after-marcos-estate-tax-debt/ |url-status=live }}
On October 31, 1997, the Court of Appeals affirmed its earlier decision with Marcos being convicted for the failure of the filing of an income tax return under Section 45 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1977 while being acquitted of tax evasion under the charge of violating Section 50 of the same statute. In spite of the removal of the penalty of imprisonment, Marcos was ordered the payment of back income taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with interest and the issuance of corresponding fines of {{₱|2000}} per count of non-filing of income tax returns from 1982 to 1984 and {{₱|30000}} for 1985, plus the accrued interest.{{Cite news |date=November 6, 2004 |title=1995 tax evasion case could send Bongbong Marcos to jail |work=The Manila Times |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2004/11/06/news/top-stories/1995-tax-evasion-case-could-send-bongbong-marcos-to-jail/683338 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |access-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028012344/https://www.manilatimes.net/2004/11/06/news/top-stories/1995-tax-evasion-case-could-send-bongbong-marcos-to-jail/683338/ |url-status=live }} Marcos later filed a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the Philippines over the modified conviction imposed by the Court of Appeals but subsequently withdrew his petition on August 8, 2001, thereby declaring the ruling as final and executory.{{Cite news |date=November 3, 2021 |title=RECORDS: Bongbong Marcos' 1997 tax conviction hounds him in 2022 campaign |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/records-bongbong-marcos-1997-tax-conviction-hounds-presidential-campaign-2022-polls/ |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205151911/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/records-bongbong-marcos-1997-tax-conviction-hounds-presidential-campaign-2022-polls/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court certified that there were no records on file of Marcos settling the corresponding tax dues and fines.{{Cite news |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Court: No record of Marcos complying with tax judgment |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/quezon-city-court-certify-no-record-bongbong-marcos-compliance-payment-tax-conviction/ |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115072138/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/quezon-city-court-certify-no-record-bongbong-marcos-compliance-payment-tax-conviction/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Court records show Bongbong Marcos did not pay penalty in tax evasion case – petitioners |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1523352/fwd-marcos-jr-has-not-satisfied-court-judgement-in-his-1995-tax-evasion-case-petitioners |access-date=December 19, 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219145628/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1523352/fwd-marcos-jr-has-not-satisfied-court-judgement-in-his-1995-tax-evasion-case-petitioners |url-status=live }} However, according to Marcos's campaign team, documents issued by the Supreme Court, the BIR, and a receipt issued by the Land Bank of the Philippines state that the tax dues were paid,{{Cite web |last=Canlas |first=Jomar |date=December 6, 2021 |title=BBM paid taxes, documents show |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/06/news/national/bbm-paid-taxes-documents-show/1824889 |access-date=December 19, 2021 |work=The Manila Times |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219145627/https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/06/news/national/bbm-paid-taxes-documents-show/1824889 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Patag |first=Kristine Joy |title=Marcos team answers petitioners' court certificate with BIR document of payment in tax case |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/22/2149527/marcos-team-answers-petitioners-court-certificate-bir-document-payment-tax-case |access-date=December 22, 2021 |work=The Philippine Star |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222093249/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/22/2149527/marcos-team-answers-petitioners-court-certificate-bir-document-payment-tax-case |url-status=live }} while elections commissioner Rowena Guanzon noted that the documents Marcos submitted to the Commission on Elections were not receipts of taxes paid to the BIR but rather receipts from the Land Bank for lease rentals.{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2022 |title=False: Marcos Jr. submitted correct receipt for tax deficiencies payment |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr-submitted-correct-recipt-tax-deficiencies-payment/ |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=Rappler |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205023255/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr-submitted-correct-recipt-tax-deficiencies-payment/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Fact-Check: Guanzon's claim that Marcos Jr submitted a fake receipt of tax payment is accurate |url=https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/fact-check-guanzons-claim-that-marcos-jr-submitted-a-fake-receipt-of-tax-payment-is-accurate |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=News 5 |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205023255/https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/fact-check-guanzons-claim-that-marcos-jr-submitted-a-fake-receipt-of-tax-payment-is-accurate |url-status=live }} Nevertheless, the Commission on Elections ruled against the consolidated disqualification cases against Marcos and stated that "Further, to prove the absence of any ill-intention and bad faith on his part," Marcos submitted a Bureau of Internal Revenue certification and an official receipt from the Landbank, showing his compliance with the CA decision directing him to pay deficiency income taxes amounting to a little over {{₱|67000}}, including fines and surcharges.{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Explainer: Comelec ruling on consolidated disqualification cases vs Marcos |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/02/11/22/explainer-comelec-ruling-on-the-dq-cases-vs-marcos |access-date=February 27, 2022 |work=ABS-CBN News |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227130201/https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/02/11/22/explainer-comelec-ruling-on-the-dq-cases-vs-marcos |url-status=live }}
The estate tax deficiency assessment issued by the BIR has remained uncollected since the Supreme Court ruling on October 12, 1991. Since the ruling of the Supreme Court in 1997 which had junked the petition of Marcos to contest the estate tax deficiency assessment, under the Ramos, Arroyo, Aquino, and Duterte administrations, the BIR has issued renewed written demands on the Marcos family to pay the estate tax liabilities, which has remained unpaid. As a result, the estate tax deficiency assessment, with penalties, is estimated to have ballooned to {{₱|203819066829}} ({{₱|203.819}} billion) as of 2021.{{Cite web |last=Carpio |first=Antonio T. |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Tax debt of the Marcos estate |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/144747/tax-debt-of-the-marcos-estate |access-date=April 8, 2022 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404152220/https://opinion.inquirer.net/144747/tax-debt-of-the-marcos-estate |url-status=live }}
The unpaid estate tax return was used as grounds in one petition to cancel Marcos's certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 elections. On March 1, 2022, presidential candidate and Manila mayor Isko Moreno said that he would implement the Supreme Court ruling ordering the Marcos family to pay their estate tax debts if elected, vowing to use the proceeds as relief aid (ayuda) for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ernest Ramel, the secretary general of Aksyon Demokratiko, the party of Moreno continuously called out BIR about the issue.{{Cite web |last=Casilao |first=Joahna Lei |date=2022-03-21 |title=Aksyon Demokratiko: Aside from P203B, gov't may also lose P125B ill-gotten wealth if Bongbong wins |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/825780/aksyon-demokratiko-aside-from-p203b-gov-t-may-also-lose-p125b-ill-gotten-wealth-if-bongbong-wins/story/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cayabyab |first=Marc Jayson |date=March 18, 2022 |title=BIR confirms demanding P203.8 billion in taxes from Marcos |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/18/2168050/bir-confirms-demanding-p2038-billion-taxes-marcos |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Philstar.com}}
On March 28, 2022, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III filed Senate Resolution No. 998, stating an urgent and pressing need for the Senate to look into why the estate tax has remained uncollected for almost 25 years, which the amount has already been ruled to be due and demandable against the heirs of his father.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Paolo |title=Pimentel seeks probe on failure to collect Marcos estate tax |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/04/2172112/pimentel-seeks-probe-failure-collect-marcos-estate-tax |access-date=April 8, 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408050612/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/04/2172112/pimentel-seeks-probe-failure-collect-marcos-estate-tax |url-status=live }}
=2007 Payanig sa Pasig property case motion=
{{further|Payanig sa Pasig land dispute}}
On June 19, 2007,{{Cite news |last=Araneta |first=Sandy |title=HR victims file claim for Payanig property |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/12/05/31513/hr-victims-file-claim-payanig-property |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204163054/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/12/05/31513/hr-victims-file-claim-payanig-property |archive-date=February 4, 2022}} Marcos Jr. filed a motion to intervene in, OCLP v. PCGG, Civil Case Number 0093 at the Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court. The case had been filed by Ortigas & Company, Ltd. Partnership (OCLP) against the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) over the {{convert|18|ha|adj=on}} former Payanig sa Pasig property bordering Ortigas Avenue, Julia Vargas Avenue, and Meralco Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig, which had been the site of the 'Payanig sa Pasig' theme park, but is now the location of various businesses, most notably the Metrowalk shopping and recreation complex.{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2009 |title=Gov't blocks Marcos appeal in Payanig property dispute |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/12/09/gov%E2%80%99t-blocks-marcos-appeal-payanig-property-dispute |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204165619/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/12/09/gov%E2%80%99t-blocks-marcos-appeal-payanig-property-dispute |url-status=live }}
The PCGG considers the property the "crown jewel" among the properties sequestered from the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth, estimating its minimum value to be about {{Philippine peso|16.5}}{{nbsp}}billion in March 2015.{{Cite news |last=Yee |first=Jovic |date=March 26, 2015 |title=PCGG to sell P16.5B 'Payanig sa Pasig' land soon |language=en |newspaper=The Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/681684/pcgg-to-sell-p16-5b-payanig-sa-pasig-land-soon |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204164106/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/681684/pcgg-to-sell-p16-5b-payanig-sa-pasig-land-soon |url-status=live }} The property had been surrendered to the PCGG in 1986, as part of the settlement deal of Marcos crony Jose Yao Campos, who was holding the property under various companies on Marcos Sr.'s behalf.{{Cite news |last=Ronda |first=Rainier Allan |date=November 22, 2007 |title=FM heirs want crony's assets returned |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/11/22/28940/fm-heirs-want-cronyrsquos-assets-returned |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809090948/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/11/22/28940/fm-heirs-want-cronyrsquos-assets-returned |archive-date=August 9, 2018}} Ortigas & Company countered that Marcos Sr. had coerced them to sell the property to him in 1968. Marcos Jr.'s motion claimed that his father had bought the property legally, but the Sandiganbayan dismissed his motion on October 18, 2008, saying it had already dismissed a similar motion filed years earlier by his mother Imelda.{{Cite news |date=December 1, 2008 |title=Marcos son appeals ruling on Payanig property |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/metro/2008/12/01/419817/marcos-son-appeals-ruling-payanig-property |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204163803/https://www.philstar.com/metro/2008/12/01/419817/marcos-son-appeals-ruling-payanig-property }}
=2011 Hawaii contempt judgement=
In 2011, the Hawaii District Court ruled Bongbong Marcos and his mother Imelda Marcos to be in contempt,{{Cite news |date=October 29, 2012 |title=Marcoses lose US appeal |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/54454/marcoses-lose-us-appeal |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030010332/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/54454/marcoses-lose-us-appeal |archive-date=October 30, 2012}} fining them {{US$|353.6}}{{nbsp}}million ({{₱|{{From USD|353600000|PHL}}}} in {{currentyear}}) fine for not respecting an injunction from a 1992 judgement in a human rights victims case, which commanded them not to dissipate the assets of Ferdinand Marcos's estate.{{Cite news |date=October 27, 2012 |title=Imelda, 'Bongbong' Marcos Ordered To Pay $354M Fine |language=en |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2012/10/imelda-bongbong-marcos-ordered-to-pay-354m-fine/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619212711/http://www.civilbeat.org/2012/10/imelda-bongbong-marcos-ordered-to-pay-354m-fine/ |archive-date=June 19, 2016}}{{Cite news |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Group wants US order vs Imelda, Bongbong enforced |language=en |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/07/02/15/group-wants-us-order-vs-imelda-bongbong-enforced |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108033845/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/07/02/15/group-wants-us-order-vs-imelda-bongbong-enforced |archive-date=November 8, 2021}} The ruling was upheld by the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on October 24, 2012, and is believed to be "the largest contempt award ever affirmed by an appellate court." While the 1992 case was against Ferdinand Marcos, the 2011 judgment was against Imelda and Bongbong personally.{{Cite news |date=November 4, 2012 |title=Marcoses in contempt |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/40172/marcoses-in-contempt |url-status=live |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107002839/http://opinion.inquirer.net/40172/marcoses-in-contempt |archive-date=November 7, 2012}} The judgement also effectively barred Imelda and Bongbong from entering any US territory. However, on June 9, 2022, United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman{{Cite news |date=June 10, 2022 |title=Deputy Secretary Sherman's Travel to the ROK, Philippines, Laos, and Vietnam |language=en |work=US embassy & consulate in Vietnam |url=https://vn.usembassy.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-travel-to-the-rok-philippines-laos-and-vietnam/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610101502/https://vn.usembassy.gov/deputy-secretary-shermans-travel-to-the-rok-philippines-laos-and-vietnam/ |url-status=live }} clarified in a roundtable discussion with local reporters during a state visit, that as a head of state, Marcos enjoys diplomatic immunity in all circumstances, stating that he is welcome to visit the United States under his official role.{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Christia Marie |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Bongbong Marcos 'welcome' to US given his 'diplomatic immunity'- top official |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/204423/bongbong-marcos-jr-welcome-to-us-given-his-diplomatic-immunity-top-official |access-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611010214/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/204423/bongbong-marcos-jr-welcome-to-us-given-his-diplomatic-immunity-top-official |url-status=live }}
Political views
File:Marcos and Xi couples.jpg and Peng Liyuan in Beijing in January 2023]]
Marcos has described his political views as "conservative" and "Machiavellian".{{cite web | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/826432/marcos-says-he-s-an-optimist-conservative-machiavellian/story/ | title=Marcos says he's an optimist, conservative, Machiavellian | date=March 26, 2022 | access-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202203326/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/826432/marcos-says-he-s-an-optimist-conservative-machiavellian/story/ | url-status=live }} He has also described the "spirit of nationalism" as a force driving progress in the Philippines.{{cite news|work=Inquirer|date=27 April 2024|title=Nationalism still alive, fuels continued PH progress – Marcos|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1934275/nationalism-still-alive-fueling-continued-ph-progess-marcos#ixzz8je8Fymy0}} Before taking office, Marcos has been described in media reports as a populist.{{cite news|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/6/30/Marcos-Duterte-populism.html|date=June 30, 2022|title=Duterte vs Marcos' brand of populism: How do they differ?|access-date=December 2, 2022|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202203324/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/6/30/Marcos-Duterte-populism.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=https://asiatimes.com/2022/06/marcos-bids-to-be-man-of-the-filipino-farmer/ | title=Marcos bids to be man of the Filipino farmer | date=June 27, 2022 | access-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202203324/https://asiatimes.com/2022/06/marcos-bids-to-be-man-of-the-filipino-farmer/ | url-status=live }} On social issues, he is in favor of legalizing abortion for rape and incest victims{{Cite news |last=Manabat |first=Jacque |date=January 25, 2022 |title=Marcos Jr. says abortion should be allowed in rape, incest |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/25/22/marcos-jr-says-abortion-should-be-allowed-in-rape-incest |access-date=March 30, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Ma. Angelica |date=January 25, 2022 |title=Marcos Jr. favors legal abortion for rape, incest victims |work=GMA News |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/819506/marcos-jr-favors-abortion-for-rape-incest-victims/story/ |access-date=March 30, 2022}} as well as divorce and same-sex unions.{{Cite news |last=Patag |first=Kristine Joy |date=March 19, 2022 |title=Marcos open to divorce, 'but don't make it easy' |work=Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/19/2168525/marcos-open-divorce-but-dont-make-it-easy |access-date=March 30, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Cabanban |first=Seth |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Bongbong says he'd sign same-sex union bill if Congress passes one |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/28/bongbong-says-hed-sign-same-sex-union-bill-if-congress-passes-one/ |access-date=March 30, 2022 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en-US}} Marcos is also opposed to reinstating the death penalty for convicted heinous criminals{{cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=Cathrine |title=Bongbong Marcos believes death penalty not effective in curbing crime rate |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1570706/bongbong-marcos-believes-death-penalty-not-effective-in-curbing-crime-rate |website=Inquirer.net |date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2022}} and lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12.{{cite web |last1=Sarao |first1=Zacarian |title=No to lower age of criminal liability, yes to rehab – Marcos Jr. |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1588354/marcos-jr-thumbs-down-lowering-age-of-criminal-liability-proposes-rehabs-for-young-offenders |website=Inquirer.net |date=April 27, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022}} In terms of economic policy, analysts have speculated that Marcos would pursue liberal policies as opposed to protectionist rhetoric during his presidential campaign.{{Cite web |author=Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza |date=2022-08-16 |title=Marcos is likely to pursue a liberal economic agenda despite protectionist bent — analysts |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2022/08/17/468858/marcos-is-likely-to-pursue-a-liberal-economic-agenda-despite-protectionist-bent-analysts/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US}}
=Marcos–Duterte feud=
{{see also|UniTeam#Aftermath}}
File:President Bongbong Marcos meets former President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on August 2, 2023.jpg, at Malacañang in August 2023]]
Amid the feud of the Marcos and Duterte clans in late April 2023, House Speaker and Marcos's cousin Martin Romualdez said the House of Representatives will probe into an agreement former president Rodrigo Duterte made during his presidency with Chinese president Xi Jinping. Under the agreement, Duterte agreed to maintain the "status quo" in the South China Sea to avoid escalating a war. Political analyst Ronald Llamas said the probe was engineered by Marcos as a "political payback" to Duterte's verbal attacks and to reduce Duterte's political influence ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.{{cite news |last1=Robles |first1=Alan |title=South China Sea: probe into Duterte-Xi pact sparks rumours of political payback |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3260980/probe-duterte-over-south-china-sea-pact-xi-jinping-seen-possible-political-payback |access-date=May 1, 2024 |work=South China Morning Post |date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240501024548/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3260980/probe-duterte-over-south-china-sea-pact-xi-jinping-seen-possible-political-payback |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |language=en}}
In 2024, Duterte criticized the Marcos administration's curtailment of the freedom of speech in violation of the 1987 Bill of Rights. Duterte's nationwide "Hakbang ng Maisug (brave) prayer-rallies, which Duterte said the Marcos administration deliberately aimed to thwart, suffered setbacks and cancellations.{{cite news |last1=Gabieta |first1= Joey|title=Duterte slams 'deliberate' efforts to stop 'Maisug' rally in Tacloban|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1945128/duterte-slams-deliberate-efforts-to-stop-maisug-rally-in-tacloban |accessdate=July 2, 2024 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 27, 2024}}{{cite news |last1= Tejano|first1= Ivy|title=Duterte: Gov't limited freedom of speech in Maisug prayer-rallies|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/2/duterte-gov-t-limited-freedom-of-speech-in-maisug-prayer-rallies |accessdate=July 2, 2024 |publisher= Manila Bulletin|date=July 2, 2024}} Duterte, however, said he prayed for Marcos to survive until the end of his term since Duterte does not want himself or his daughter Sara to become president.{{cite news |last1=Gabieta |first1= Joey|title=Duterte slams 'deliberate' efforts to stop 'Maisug' rally in Tacloban|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1945128/duterte-slams-deliberate-efforts-to-stop-maisug-rally-in-tacloban |accessdate=July 2, 2024 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 27, 2024}}
In June 2024, Sara Duterte resigned from the Marcos cabinet and became critical of Marcos. In November 2024, Philippine authorities subpoenaed Vice President Sara Duterte after she threatened to have Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker assassinated if she were killed. Marcos condemned her remarks as a criminal threat and increased his security, while National Security Adviser Eduardo Año called the threats a national security concern. Duterte clarified that her comments were not threats but a concern for her safety, dismissing the government's actions as politically motivated. She was ordered to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation, with such statements potentially leading to criminal charges.{{cite news|title=Philippine investigators summon VP Duterte over her public threats against President Marcos|date=November 25, 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/philippines-marcos-duterte-threats-d1823282709d0693eb502c8165fbb56f|website=AP News|access-date=November 26, 2024}} Despite growing calls for Sara Duterte's impeachment,{{cite news|last=Javier|first=Paige|title=De Lima: Sara Duterte's threats could lead to impeachment, disbarment, criminal cases|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/24/dutertes-threats-could-lead-to-impeachment-disbarment-criminal-cases-1708|access-date=November 29, 2024|work=ABS-CBN News|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=November 24, 2024|location=Manila}}{{cite news|last=Panti|first=Llanesca T.|title=Trillanes on Sara Duterte: Hinog na hinog na for impeachment|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/928332/trillanes-sara-duterte-impeachment/story/|access-date=November 29, 2024|work=GMA News Online|publisher=GMA Network|date=November 27, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Gutierrez|first=Barry|author-link=Barry Gutierrez|title=Impeachment ang pinakaangkop|trans-title=Impeachment is most appropriate|url=https://www.abante.com.ph/2024/11/28/impeachment-ang-pinakaangkop/|access-date=November 29, 2024|work=Abante|publisher=Prage Management Corporation|date=November 28, 2024|language=Filipino}}{{cite news|last=Dizon|first=David|title=Impeach move vs VP Sara Duterte set this December|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/29/impeach-move-vs-vp-sara-duterte-set-this-december-lawmaker-0913|access-date=November 29, 2024|work=ABS-CBN News|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=November 29, 2024}} Marcos has publicly voiced his opinion against impeaching her, calling it "a storm in a teacup" and considering the move inconsequential to the lives of Filipinos.{{cite news|last=Sarao|first=Zacarian|title=Marcos says he ordered impeachment moves vs VP Sara Duterte stopped|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2010626/marcos-says-he-ordered-to-stop-impeachment-moves-vs-vp-sara-duterte|access-date=November 29, 2024|newspaper=Inquirer News|publisher=INQUIRER.net|date=November 29, 2024|location=Manila, Philippines}}
On March 11, 2025, Rodrigo Duterte was detained in Manila, following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court stemming from an investigation of human rights abuses during Duterte's anti-drug campaign.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Philippine Police Arrest Former President Duterte at ICC's Request |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/philippine-police-arrest-former-president-duterte-at-iccs-request/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}
Public profile
=Historical distortionism=
{{main|Historical distortion regarding Ferdinand Marcos#Historical denialism}}
As with other Marcos family members who have stayed in the public eye since their return to the Philippines,{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2016 |title=EDSA People Power: Inadequate Challenge to Marcos Revisionism |language=en-us |publisher=Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility |url=http://cmfr-phil.org/media-ethics-responsibility/journalism-review/edsa-people-power-inadequate-challenge-to-marcos-revisionism/ |access-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924035252/http://cmfr-phil.org/media-ethics-responsibility/journalism-review/edsa-people-power-inadequate-challenge-to-marcos-revisionism/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hernando-Malipot |first=Merlina |date=September 7, 2018 |title=UP faculty vows to fight historical revisionism |language=en-US |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/07/up-faculty-vows-to-fight-historical-revisionism/ |access-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033625/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/07/up-faculty-vows-to-fight-historical-revisionism/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite magazine |last=de Ynchausti |first=Nik |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Why has Marcos' propaganda lived on? |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/marcos-propaganda-a1576-20160923-lfrm2 |magazine=Esquire Magazine Philippines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927104250/https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/marcos-propaganda-a1576-20160923-lfrm2 |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |access-date=September 27, 2016}} Marcos has received significant criticism for instances of historical denialism, and his trivialization of the human rights violations and economic plunder that took place during the Marcos administration, and of the role he played in the administration.{{Cite web |date=September 1976 |title=Report of an Amnesty International Mission to the Republic of the Philippines 22 November – 5 December 1975 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/204000/asa350191977en.pdf |publisher=Amnesty International Publications |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010145425/https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/204000/asa350191977en.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2015 |title=PCGG welcomes Singapore court decision on Marcos' Swiss funds |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/47220-pcgg-welcomes-singapore-court-decision-marcos-swiss-funds |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=November 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122202514/https://www.rappler.com/nation/47220-pcgg-welcomes-singapore-court-decision-marcos-swiss-funds |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |first=Ayee |last=Macaraig |date=August 26, 2015 |title=Marcos on dad's regime: What am I to apologize for? |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/103772-bongbong-marcos-regime-no-apologies |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611183837/https://www.rappler.com/nation/103772-bongbong-marcos-regime-no-apologies |url-status=live }} Specific criticisms have been leveled at Marcos for being unapologetic for human rights violations and ill-gotten wealth during his father's administration.{{Cite web |author=Elizabeth Marcelo |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Bongbong Marcos unfazed by anti-Martial Law critics |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/554620/news/nation/bongbong-marcos-unfazed-by-anti-martial-law-critics |work=GMA News Online |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114063456/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/554620/news/nation/bongbong-marcos-unfazed-by-anti-martial-law-critics |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |author=Ayee Macaraig |date=August 16, 2015 |title=Bongbong on 2016: No downside to being a Marcos |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/102806-bongbong-marcos-2016-name |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609164932/https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/102806-bongbong-marcos-2016-name |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author=Elizabeth Marcelo |date=February 29, 2016 |title=Bongbong Marcos to critics: Allow young voters to make own judgment |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/557219/news/nation/bongbong-marcos-to-critics-allow-young-voters-to-make-own-judgment |work=GMA News Online |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114063508/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/557219/news/nation/bongbong-marcos-to-critics-allow-young-voters-to-make-own-judgment |url-status=live }} Of the human rights victims, Marcos Jr. said of them in 1999: "They don't want an apology, they want money."{{cite news |last1=Arzadon |first1=Cristina |title=Bongbong: Apology? They only want money |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 24, 1999}} He then proceeded to state that his family would apologize only if they had done something wrong.
When victims of human rights abuses during his father's administration commemorated the 40th year of the proclamation of martial law in 2012, Marcos Jr. dismissed their calls for an apology for the atrocities as "self-serving statements by politicians, self-aggrandizement narratives, pompous declarations, and political posturing and propaganda."{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Kimberly Jane |date=September 21, 2012 |title=Martial Law in the eyes of the late strongman Marcos' son |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/275044/martial-law-in-the-eyes-of-the-late-strongman-marcos-son/story/ |access-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120032033/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/275044/martial-law-in-the-eyes-of-the-late-strongman-marcos-son/story/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Quimpo |first=Susan |date=October 14, 2012 |title=Enrile's memoir gives me sleepless nights |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/opinion/content/278235/enrile-s-memoir-gives-me-sleepless-nights/story/ |access-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317163406/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/opinion/content/278235/enrile-s-memoir-gives-me-sleepless-nights/story/ |url-status=live }} In the Sydney Morning Herald later that year, Bongbong cited the various court decisions against the Marcos family as a reason not to apologize for Martial Law abuses, saying "we have a judgment against us in the billions. What more would people want?"{{Cite news |date=November 24, 2012 |title=A dynasty on steroids |language=en |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/a-dynasty-on-steroids-20121119-29kwy.html |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506235148/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/a-dynasty-on-steroids-20121119-29kwy.html |url-status=live }}
During his 2016 vice presidential campaign, Marcos responded to then-president Benigno Aquino III's criticism of the Marcos regime and call to oppose his election run. He dismissed the events, saying Filipinos should "leave history to the professors."{{Cite news |author=Leila B. Salaverria |date=February 27, 2016 |title=Bongbong: Let historians, not politicians, judge Marcos rule |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/769064/bongbong-let-historians-not-politicians-judge-marcos-rule |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522085949/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/769064/bongbong-let-historians-not-politicians-judge-marcos-rule |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author=Elizabeth Marcelo |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Leave it to Professors – Bongbong to PNoy: Let history judge Marcos era |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/556933/news/nation/bongbong-to-pnoy-let-history-judge-marcos-era |work=GMA News Online |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114065433/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/556933/news/nation/bongbong-to-pnoy-let-history-judge-marcos-era |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2016 |title=Bongbong: Let historians judge my father's regime |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/nation/v1/02/26/16/bongbong-let-historians-judge-my-fathers-regime |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113035843/https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/nation/v1/02/26/16/bongbong-let-historians-judge-my-fathers-regime |url-status=live }} This prompted over 500 faculty, staff and history professors from the Ateneo de Manila University to immediately issue a statement condemning his dismissive retort as part of "an ongoing willful distortion of our history," and a "shameless refusal to acknowledge the crimes of the Martial Law regime."{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Ateneo de Manila Community Stands Up Against Historical Revisionism of Martial Law |url=http://www.ateneo.edu/news/ateneo-de-manila-community-stands-against-historical-revisionism-martial-law |publisher=Ateneo de Manila University |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405125743/http://www.ateneo.edu/news/ateneo-de-manila-community-stands-against-historical-revisionism-martial-law |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2016 |title=We are not blind to the darkness and oppression of Marcos years! Statement of concerned members of the Ateneo de Manila University on the Martial Law regime and Bongbong Marcos' revision of history |url=http://www.ateneo.edu/sites/default/files/attached-files/Ateneo%20Community%20Response%20to%20Senator%20Marcos%20Jr.%20-%20526%20signatories%20as%20of%204%20March%202016%20%28English%29.pdf |access-date=February 27, 2017 |publisher=Ateneo de Manila University |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114055510/http://www.ateneo.edu/sites/default/files/attached-files/Ateneo%20Community%20Response%20to%20Senator%20Marcos%20Jr.%20-%20526%20signatories%20as%20of%204%20March%202016%20%28English%29.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |author=Paterno Esmaquel II |date=March 7, 2016 |title=Ateneo presidents slam Bongbong Marcos 'revision of history' – Heads of Jesuit-run universities join nearly 530 other signatories against 'the darkness and oppression of the Marcos years' |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/124969-ateneo-presidents-marcos-statement-signatures |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327223414/https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/124969-ateneo-presidents-marcos-statement-signatures |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |author=Yuji Vincent Gonzales |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Ateneo professors slam Bongbong Marcos' 'revision of history' |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/770125/ateneo-professors-slam-bongbong-marcos-revision-of-history |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516014503/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/770125/ateneo-professors-slam-bongbong-marcos-revision-of-history |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author=Filane Mikee Z. Cervantes |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Ateneo professors thumb down historical distortion of martial law regime |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/article/124748/ateneo-professors-thumb-down-historical-distortion-of-martial-law-regime |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307232953/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/124748/ateneo-professors-thumb-down-historical-distortion-of-martial-law-regime |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |publisher=Interaksyon.com}} More than 1,400 Catholic schools, through the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), later joined the call of the Ateneo faculty "against the attempt of [Marcos] to canonize the harrowing horrors of martial rule."{{Cite news |date=March 8, 2016 |title=1,400 Catholic schools back call vs 'Marcos snares, Imeldific lies' |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/125012-catholic-educational-association-philippines-admu-bongbong-marcos |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510173834/http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/125012-catholic-educational-association-philippines-admu-bongbong-marcos |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=March 8, 2016 |title=1,400 Catholic schools slam 'Marcos snares, Imeldific lies' |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/03/08/16/1400-catholic-schools-slam-marcos-snares-imeldific-lies |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603235407/http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/03/08/16/1400-catholic-schools-slam-marcos-snares-imeldific-lies/ |url-status=live }} This was also followed by the University of the Philippines Diliman's Department of History, which released a statement of its own, decrying what they called a "dangerous" effort for Marcos to create "myth and deception."{{Cite web |author=University of the Philippines Department of History |date=March 28, 2016 |title=Malakas at Maganda: Marcos Reign, Myth-Making and Deception in History |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/historyadorngbayan/photos/a.1576182815979034.1073741828.1575947242669258/1673354259595222/?type=3&theater}}{{Cite news |author=Aries Joseph Hegina |date=March 30, 2016 |title=Marcos deception seeks to evade accountability—UP Dept. of History |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776985/marcos-deception-seeks-to-evade-accountability-up-dept-of-history |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512020830/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776985/marcos-deception-seeks-to-evade-accountability-up-dept-of-history |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/30/1567657/history-profs-slam-mythical-golden-era-under-martial-law |title=UP history profs slam 'mythical' golden era under martial law |author=Rosette Adel |work=The Philippine Star |date=March 30, 2016 |access-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607193855/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/30/1567657/history-profs-slam-mythical-golden-era-under-martial-law |url-status=live }}
On September 20, 2018, Marcos Jr. released a YouTube video showing a tête-à-tête between him and former senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who had been his father's defense minister before playing a key role in his ouster during the 1986 EDSA revolution.{{Cite news |last=Viray |first=Patricia Lourdes |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Fact-checking Enrile's tete-a-tete with Bongbong Marcos |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/21/1853435/fact-checking-enriles-tete-tete-bongbong-marcos |access-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922122514/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/21/1853435/fact-checking-enriles-tete-tete-bongbong-marcos |url-status=live }} The video made a number of claims, which were quickly refuted and denounced by martial law victims, including former senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr., former DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo, former Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales, and writer Boni Ilagan, among others. Enrile later backpedaled from some of his claims, attributing them to "unlucid intervals."{{Cite news |last=Romero |first=Paolo |date=October 26, 2018 |title=Enrile apologizes to Martial Law victims, blames 'unlucid intervals' |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/26/1863327/enrile-apologizes-martial-law-victims-blames-unlucid-intervals |url-status=dead |access-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031173926/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/26/1863327/enrile-apologizes-martial-law-victims-blames-unlucid-intervals |archive-date=October 31, 2018 }}
=Online presence=
According to research by Vera Files, Marcos benefited the most from fake news from the Philippines in 2017, along with President Rodrigo Duterte.{{Cite news |date=December 22, 2017 |title=VERA Files Yearender: Who benefited most from fake news, and other questions, answered in three charts |publisher=Vera Files |url=http://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-yearender-who-benefited-most-fake-news-and-other |access-date=January 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207095703/http://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-yearender-who-benefited-most-fake-news-and-other |url-status=live }} Most viral news were driven by shares on networks of Facebook pages. Also, most Philippine audience Facebook pages and groups spreading online disinformation bore "Duterte", "Marcos" or "News" in their names and are pro-Duterte.{{Cite news |last=Samson |first=Celine Isabelle |date=December 30, 2018 |title=Vera Files Fact Check Yearender: Ads reveal links between websites producing fake news |work=Vera Files |url=https://www.verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-yearender-ads-reveal-links-between-web |access-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214101601/https://www.verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-yearender-ads-reveal-links-between-web |url-status=live }}
In July 2020, Brittany Kaiser alleged in an interview that Marcos had approached the controversial firm Cambridge Analytica in order to "rebrand" the Marcos family image on social media.{{Cite web |title=Rappler Talk: Brittany Kaiser on protecting your data |url=https://rappler.com/technology/interview-brittany-kaiser-cabridge-analytica-whistleblower-protecting-your-data |access-date=July 16, 2020 |work=Rappler |date=July 15, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716124719/https://rappler.com/technology/interview-brittany-kaiser-cabridge-analytica-whistleblower-protecting-your-data |url-status=live }} Marcos's spokesperson Vic Rodriguez denied these allegations and stated that Marcos is considering filing libel charges against Rappler, which published Kaiser's interview.{{Cite web |title=Bongbong Marcos asked Cambridge Analytica to 'rebrand' family image |url=https://rappler.com/nation/bongbong-marcos-cambridge-analytica-rebrand-family-image |access-date=July 16, 2020 |work=Rappler |date=July 15, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715225027/https://rappler.com/nation/bongbong-marcos-cambridge-analytica-rebrand-family-image |url-status=live }}
=Impostor urban legend=
Between the late 70s and early 80s, an urban legend became popular claiming that Marcos Jr. was stabbed and died during a scuffle while studying abroad. The Marcos family allegedly looked for Bongbong's look-alike to replace him. This was later debunked by Marcos in one of his vlogs. The origins of this urban legend remain unknown.{{cite news|title=Is Bongbong really dead? Comelec asked to junk COC of Marcos 'impostor'|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1519858/one-petition-vs-marcos-jr-says-bbm-is-not-bbm-comelec|last=Mendoza|first=John Eric|date=November 25, 2021|access-date=November 25, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130073510/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1519858/one-petition-vs-marcos-jr-says-bbm-is-not-bbm-comelec|url-status=live}}
=Tallano gold myth=
{{see also|Tallano gold}}
In 1990, during a coverage of Imelda Marcos's trial in New York, Inquirer journalist Kristina Luz interviewed then-33-year-old exiled Bongbong Marcos and asked where the Marcos wealth came from. Marcos responded "only I know where the gold is and how to get it". This was corroborated in a 1992 report by the Associated Press that quoted Imelda Marcos saying that her husband's wealth came "from the Japanese and other gold he found after World War II, and not from the Philippine coffers." In 2007, Marcos informed the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan that his father's wealth came from trading "precious metals more specifically gold from the years 1946 to 1954" when he tried to win back the Ortigas Payanig property in Pasig from the national government.{{cite news|title=If Marcos never saw gold, why tell court gold was their source of wealth?|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr-never-saw-gold-told-court-source-wealth/|last=Buan|first=Lian|date=March 7, 2022|access-date=March 7, 2022|work=Rappler|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307093232/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr-never-saw-gold-told-court-source-wealth/|url-status=live}}
The myth surrounding the gold allegedly owned by the Marcos family has been the subject of various misinformation, as in 2011, a Facebook post claimed that a certain "Tallano clan" had paid Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in gold for his legal services. Several years later, supporters of the Marcos family in a Facebook page called "Marcos Cyber Warriors" also claimed that Marcos Sr.'s wealth came from his former law client, the "Maharlikan Tallano family".{{cite news|title='Walang ginto': Bongbong Marcos seeks closure on Tallano gold myth|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1550323/walang-ginto-bongbong-marcos-says-on-familys-gold|last=Gonzales|first=Cathrine|date=February 5, 2022|access-date=February 5, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205043038/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1550323/walang-ginto-bongbong-marcos-says-on-familys-gold|url-status=live}}
This has resulted in a long-running belief that should Bongbong Marcos win as president, he will give Filipinos a share of this gold. However during his Philippine presidential election campaign in the 2022 elections, when asked over One News to verify the mythical "Tallano gold" or the long-believed tale that they got a share of the Japanese Yamashita gold, Marcos denied knowledge of it, even joking that "people should let him know if they see any of that gold". The urban myth had allegedly been suggested or carried by various social media pages being run by Marcos supporters in order to engage more people to support his presidential bid.
Personal life
File:2024-SONA-The-First-Family-Bongbong Marcos.jpg at the sideline of the 2024 State of the Nation Address on June 22.]]
Marcos is married to lawyer Louise "Liza" Cacho Araneta, a member of the prominent Araneta family. Marcos and Araneta were married in Fiesole, Italy, on April 17, 1993. They have three sons: Ferdinand Alexander III "Sandro" (born 1994), Joseph Simon (born 1995) and William Vincent "Vinny" (born 1997).{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2018 |title=Bongbong Marcos marks silver anniversary with wife Liza |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/04/22/18/bongbong-marcos-marks-silver-anniversary-with-wife-liza |access-date=April 6, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |language=en |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522052200/https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/04/22/18/bongbong-marcos-marks-silver-anniversary-with-wife-liza |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Son of Bongbong Marcos earns master's degree from London university |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2017/12/14/Sandro-Marcos-masters-London-university.html |access-date=April 6, 2020 |website=cnn |date=December 12, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803183150/https://cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2017/12/14/Sandro-Marcos-masters-London-university.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Basco |first=Karl Cedrick |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Vinny Marcos describes childhood in Ilocos — 'Never influenced by money' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/09/22/vinny-marcos-childhood-not-influenced-by-money |access-date=March 9, 2022 |work=ABS-CBN News |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602112846/https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/09/22/vinny-marcos-childhood-not-influenced-by-money |url-status=live }} Although he is Ilocano by ethnic ancestry, he was brought up in a Manileño household and does not speak the Ilocano language.{{Cite news |date=August 3, 2013 |title=WASAK EP 028 BONG BONG MARCOS |work=News5 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL_3-tnXcVg&t=1040s |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520060018/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL_3-tnXcVg&t=1040s |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Solid North still a rock for Bongbong Marcos, but some students speaking up |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/will-solid-north-loyalists-help-carry-bongbong-marcos-malacanang-2022-polls/ |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629182138/https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/will-solid-north-loyalists-help-carry-bongbong-marcos-malacanang-2022-polls/ |url-status=live }} The Marcos family maintains a residence in Forbes Park, Makati.{{cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=Iris |title=Billionaires are selling their sprawling Forbes homes |url=https://propertyreport.ph/news-and-events/2021/04/16/19331/billionaires-are-selling-their-sprawling-forbes-homes/ |website=Property Report PH |publisher=PhilStar Media Group |access-date=July 24, 2022 |date=April 26, 2021 |archive-date=July 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723170119/https://propertyreport.ph/news-and-events/2021/04/16/19331/billionaires-are-selling-their-sprawling-forbes-homes/ |url-status=live }}
Aside from his common nickname "Bongbong", Marcos is known by his peers as "Bonggets". Marcos is an avid listener of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz music. He once held a record collection in Malacañang Palace that he described as "the best record collection in the Philippines" but left it when his family was exiled from the country in 1986. He is a fan of the Beatles, citing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as his favorite album of theirs, and often collects the band's memorabilia. Marcos can also play the saxophone.{{cite news|title=The other side of Bongbong|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2010/03/28/561639/other-side-bongbong|work=The Philippine Star|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-date=June 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602142222/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2010/03/28/561639/other-side-bongbong|url-status=live}}
Marcos exercises regularly and claims to abstain from consuming confections and soft drinks. Marcos is also an avid reader, a cinephile, and a gun enthusiast, where he holds a competition under his name.{{cite news |title=Filipino politicians, guns, and power |url=https://www.rappler.com/video/17211-bongbong-open-to-shooting-with-pnoy/ |work=Rappler |date=December 15, 2012 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727154603/https://www.rappler.com/video/17211-bongbong-open-to-shooting-with-pnoy/ |url-status=live }} He follows Formula One racing as a supporter of Scuderia Ferrari; during his presidency, he attended the 2022 and 2023 Singapore Grand Prix with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other foreign dignitaries.{{cite news |last1=Bajo |first1=Anna Felicia |title=Marcos says he had 'promising' talks with Singaporean leaders before watching F1 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/882449/marcos-says-he-had-promising-talks-with-singaporean-leaders-before-watching-f1/story/ |access-date=September 18, 2023 |work=GMA News |date=September 18, 2023}}
File:President Prabowo Subianto held an official dinner for state leaders and special envoys who attended the inauguration of the President and Vice President for the 2024-2029 term.jpg (left) at the inauguration dinner of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (center) on 20 October 2024]]
On March 31, 2020, Marcos's spokesperson confirmed that Marcos had tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite news |last=Galvez |first=Daphne |date=March 31, 2020 |title=Breaking: Bongbong Marcos Tests Positive for COVID-19 |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1251836/breaking-bongbong-marcos-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214235011/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1251836/breaking-bongbong-marcos-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |url-status=live }} Prior to getting tested, Marcos was reportedly experiencing chest pains after coming home from a trip to Spain. He has since recovered from the disease after testing negative on a RT-PCR test on May 5, 2020, a month after testing positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Former Senator Bongbong Marcos confirms he is now COVID-19 free |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/5/Former-Senator-Bongbong-Marcos-now-COVID-19-free.html |access-date=May 19, 2022 |work=CNN Philippines |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519033744/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/5/Former-Senator-Bongbong-Marcos-now-COVID-19-free.html |url-status=dead }} On July 8, 2022, Marcos's press secretary confirmed that Marcos had tested positive again for COVID-19 after experiencing slight fever.{{Cite web |title=One News |url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0yarEQqEZPMp7rkuEpYMqGCBjpqFzqiDYuF2jvEc44y5geJGQrPVVrVaxxaKNGspsl&id=385030801902812 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322161201/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstory.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0yarEQqEZPMp7rkuEpYMqGCBjpqFzqiDYuF2jvEc44y5geJGQrPVVrVaxxaKNGspsl%26id%3D385030801902812 |url-status=live }}
=Alleged cocaine usage=
On November 18, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed in a televised speech that a certain candidate for the 2022 Philippine presidential election is allegedly using cocaine, hinting at the candidate using male pronouns on several instances. Furthermore, Duterte alleged that the candidate eluded law enforcement authorities by doing drugs on a private yacht and a plane.{{cite news|title=Duterte: Cocaine-using presidential bet elude cops by doing drugs on yacht, plane|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1518527/duterte-says-cocaine-using-presidential-candidate-elude-police-by-doing-drugs-on-yacht-plane|last=Galvez|first=Daphne|date=November 22, 2021|access-date=November 22, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122131903/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1518527/duterte-says-cocaine-using-presidential-candidate-elude-police-by-doing-drugs-on-yacht-plane|url-status=live}} Although he did not name the candidate, it was alluded that Duterte was referring to Marcos after he continued on his speech that the male candidate is a "weak leader" and has been "capitalizing on his father's accomplishments".{{cite news|title=Philippines' Duterte says cocaine user among presidential election candidates|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/18/asia/duterte-philippines-cocaine-election-intl-hnk/index.html|agency=Reuters|publisher=CNN|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119015300/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/18/asia/duterte-philippines-cocaine-election-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}} Prior to that, Duterte previously named Marcos a "weak leader who had done nothing" and a "spoiled child for being an only son".{{cite news|title=Duterte takes jab at Bongbong Marcos anew, calls him 'weak leader'|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1517418/duterte-takes-jab-at-marcos-jr-anew-calls-him-weak-leader|last=Mercado|first=Neil Arwin|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119115512/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1517418/duterte-takes-jab-at-marcos-jr-anew-calls-him-weak-leader|url-status=live}}
Days after Duterte's allegation, Marcos took a cocaine drug test through a urine sample at St. Luke's Medical Center – Global City and submitted the negative result to law enforcement authorities with a follow-up online memo by the medical institution confirming the legitimacy of the test.{{cite news|title=Marcos gets self tested for cocaine, submits results to PDEA, PNP, NBI|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1519147/marcos-gets-self-tested-for-cocaine|last1=Cabalza|first1=Dexter|last2=Aning|first2=Jerome|last3=Aurelio|first3=Julie M.|date=November 24, 2021|access-date=November 24, 2021|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123215057/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1519147/marcos-gets-self-tested-for-cocaine|url-status=live}}
Marcos responded that he did not feel that he was the one alluded to by President Duterte. According to health care provider American Addiction Centers, after the last use, cocaine or its metabolites can show up on a blood or saliva test for up to two days, a urine test for up to three days, and a hair test for months to years.{{cite news|title=Marcos takes drug test after Duterte claim on a cocaine-user presidential candidate|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2021/11/23/412729/marcos-takes-drug-test-after-duterte-claim-on-a-cocaine-user-presidential-candidate|last=Atienza|first=Kyle Aristophere T.|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021|work=BusinessWorld|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611014042/https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2021/11/23/412729/marcos-takes-drug-test-after-duterte-claim-on-a-cocaine-user-presidential-candidate/|url-status=live}} In an interview with CNN Philippines in April 2022, Marcos responded to Duterte's remarks on him being a "spoiled" and "weak leader", saying that the president was "playing politics" and was "always making sure everybody's thinking hard about what they're doing".{{cite news |last1=Quismorio |first1=Ellson |title=Marcos finally responds to Duterte's 'spoiled brat', 'weak leader' tags |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/26/marcos-finally-responds-to-dutertes-spoiled-brat-weak-leader-tags/ |access-date=May 24, 2022 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426160003/https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/26/marcos-finally-responds-to-dutertes-spoiled-brat-weak-leader-tags/ |archive-date=April 26, 2022}}
In an interview with ANC in May 2022, former senator Nikki Coseteng, who claimed to personally know Marcos, alleged that Marcos was a "lazy individual" who frequented discos and got high on illegal substances along with his socialite friends during his youth.{{Cite web |title=Ex-Sen. Coseteng joins calls to prevent Marcoses from returning to Malacañang |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRMzm-PZwXQ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514063542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRMzm-PZwXQ |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=May 14, 2022 |website=www.youtube.com | date=May 4, 2022 }} Marcos has neither denied nor confirmed Coseteng's allegations.{{cite news|title='ALWAYS HIGH': Former senator joins calls to block Marcos' possible return to Malacañang|url=https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/always-high-former-senator-joins-calls-to-block-marcos-possible-return-to-malacanang|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=May 6, 2022|publisher=News5|archive-date=May 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506130326/https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/always-high-former-senator-joins-calls-to-block-marcos-possible-return-to-malacanang|url-status=live}}
In late January 2024, Marcos's alleged cocaine use was brought anew by Duterte, during a prayer rally against Charter change in Davao City.{{cite web |last1=Bacongco |first1=Keith |title=Duterte explains past fentanyl use |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/duterte-explains-past-fentanyl-use |website=Manila Bulletin |date=January 31, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2024}} Duterte alleged that Marcos had once been included in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's (PDEA) drug watchlist (which the agency denied) and had been spotted using cocaine with his cohorts at a giant banana firm's plantation in Davao del Norte when Duterte was Mayor. Duterte said that these companions of Marcos were already working for his administration, and cited this as the reason why he did not vote for him in the 2022 general election. When asked by Marcos to prove the allegations, Duterte retorted that it is incumbent upon him to prove the allegations by taking a drug test, since he is the one holding public office. Marcos maintained he had never used illegal narcotics, let alone cocaine, and blamed Duterte's use of fentanyl as a response. In Duterte's defense, he had used fentanyl because it was prescribed to him by a "Dr. Javier", his alleged physician at St. Luke's Medical Center – Quezon City, to alleviate pain from injuries sustained in a motorbike accident a few years ago.
=PDEA leaks=
In April 2023, leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) circulated online, linking Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drugs. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, headed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, later conducted a hearing on the matter and invited vlogger Maharlika to explain her involvement in the online circulation of the documents. Former PDEA investigation agent Jonathan Morales declared that the documents were authentic; PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo, on the other hand, claimed the documents were fake.{{cite news |last1=Cabato |first1=Luisa |title=Those found leaking PDEA documents may face sanctions, says CSC |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1935456/those-found-leaking-pdea-documents-may-face-sanctions-says-csc |access-date=May 1, 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240501023950/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1935456/those-found-leaking-pdea-documents-may-face-sanctions-says-csc |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |language=en}}
On May 20, 2024, the Philippine Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs panel cited PDEA agent Jonathan Morales in contempt for '"continuously lying". Upon Jinggoy Estrada's motion and seconded by Ronald dela Rosa, Morales was ordered detained for flipped-flopped replies on PDS, inter alia. Earlier, a former National Police Commission officer, Eric "Pikoy" Santiago was also held in contempt of the Senate for being a "liar".{{cite news|last=Bacelonia|first=Wilnard|title=Senate panel cites ex-PDEA agent in contempt for lying|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225107|accessdate=May 20, 2024|work=Philippine News Agency|date=May 20, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Nazario|first=Dhel|title=Senate panel cites ex-PDEA agent Morales in contempt|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/20/senate-panel-cites-ex-pdea-agent-morales-in-contempt|accessdate=May 20, 2024|publisher=Manila Bulletin|date=May 20, 2024}} On May 23, 2024, Morales and Santiago were released from custody according to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan.{{cite news |last1=Bordey |first1= Hanna|title=Ex-PDEA agent Morales released from Senate detention|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/907855/ex-pdea-agent-morales-released-from-senate-detention/story/?just_in |accessdate=May 24, 2024 |publisher= GMA Integrated News|date=May 24, 2024}} In August 2024, San Fernando, Pampanga Municipal Trial Court Branch 9 Acting Presiding Judge Jason Alquiroz convicted Morales of perjury and sentenced him to four months imprisonment and fined {{Philippine peso|1,000}}.{{cite news|last=Layson|first=Mer|title=Ex-agent sa 'PDEA leaks' convicted sa perjury|url=https://www.philstar.com/bansa/2024/08/09/2376466/ex-agent-sa-pdea-leaks-convicted-sa-perjury|accessdate=August 9, 2024|publisher=The Philippine Star|date=August 9, 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Sister project links|wikt=Marcos|n=No|s=No|b=No|v=No}}
- {{official website|http://www.bongbongmarcos.com}}
- [http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_bio.asp/ Senate biography]
;Marcos Family
- [https://iskomunidad.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Marcos_Regime_Research The Marcos Regime Research (MRR) program] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623153032/https://iskomunidad.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Marcos_Regime_Research |date=June 23, 2023 }} by the University of the Philippines Third World Studies Center
- [https://martiallawmuseum.ph/ The Martial Law Memorial Museum]
- [https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/ The Martial Law Chronicles Project]
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