The people have spoken.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator, won by a landslide in the high-stakes 2022 Philippine presidential election.
Marcos Jr. leads the presidential race based on the partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Election’s transparency server.
Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos official Facebook page
His archrival Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, has garnered the second highest number of votes. Robredo, who is also a lawyer and an economist, is considered the leader of the true opposition.
Marcos Jr. thanked his supporters in a virtual message just a few hours after the release of preliminary poll results.
“Kagaya ng aking sinabi, hindi pa tapos ang bilang. Marami na ang nagsasabi na tapos na pero hindi pa talaga kaya antayin natin hanggang maliwanag na maliwanag, mag-100 percent ang pagbilang,” said the leading presidential contender.
“Ngunit kahit hindi pa tapos nga ang pagbilang, hindi makapag-antay ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong lahat—ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong, sa lahat ng sumapi sa aming ipinaglaban, sa inyong sakripisyo, sa inyong trabaho at sa binigay ninyo sa amin na oras, na kakayahan,” he added.
It is a historic victory for the 64-year-old Marcos Jr. as he emerged as the first majority president since the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled his father former president Ferdinand Marcos.
Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos official Facebook page
“This is a victory for all Filipinos, and for democracy. To those who voted for Bongbong, and those who did not, it is his promise to be a President for all Filipinos. To seek common ground across political divides, and to work together to unite the nation,” said Marcos Jr’s spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez.
“Bongbong looks forward to working across the Philippines, and with international partners and organisations, to address critical issues facing the country, and to begin delivering for the Filipino people,” he added.
Some of the opponents of Marcos Jr. have already conceded, such as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” De Guzman, and businessman Faisal Mangondato.
Marcos Jr’s bid for the presidency has met opposition from various groups, including victims of human rights abuses during his father’s rule. The Comelec en banc has dismissed most of the disqualification cases filed against him but it is expected that the cases will reach the Supreme Court.
How will presumptive president Marcos Jr fulfill his abstract campaign promise of unifying the country in a polarized society? That is something that remains to be seen.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos official Facebook page
