More than three decades ago, a late Philippine president was overthrown and driven into exile after a brutal regime marred by corruption, cronyism, and human rights abuses.
Fast forward to today, his infamous family celebrated a sweeping landslide victory of the dictator’s son and namesake in the recent presidential election.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has become the country’s president after a successful bid that is widely seen by analysts as the result of a years-long campaign, rampant disinformation, dynastic politics, and whitewashing of his clan’s controversial past.
Below is a timeline of key events related to how Marcos Jr. was able to reclaim Malacañang, starting from the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) to his proclamation as the eventual winner of the May polls.
October 6, 2021
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. filed his certificate of candidacy for president on October 6, 2021 at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City.
November 16, 2021
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that he and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will be running in tandem in the 2022 national elections.
December 9, 2021
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte visited Cavite, the second most vote-rich province in the country, on December 9, 2021.
[IN PHOTOS: Bongbong-Sara tandem courts Cavite voters]
December 18, 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed the petition that sought to declare Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a nuisance candidate.
January 17, 2022
The Comelec 1st Division unanimously junked a petition seeking to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
January 21, 2022
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declined to participate in GMA News’ presidential interviews, based on a teaser report released on January 21, 2022.
February 3, 2022
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declined to join Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas’ presidential forum, citing conflict of schedule.
February 5, 2022
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appeared in a radio interview with DZBB.
February 8, 2022
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte launched their respective bids for the country’s top positions at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on February 8.
[READ: Marcos, Duterte launch campaign at Philippine Arena]
February 10, 2022
The Comelec 1st Division unanimously junked three consolidated petitions seeking to disqualify Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from the presidential race.
February 11, 2022
Governor Jonvic Remulla has described vote-rich Cavite as a “country” of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos as he endorsed the latter’s presidential bid in the May elections.
[READ: Remulla says Cavite a Marcos ‘country’]
February 15, 2022
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attended a debate organized by SMNI News.
February 27, 2022
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was a no-show at the CNN Philippines’ presidential debate.
March 22, 2022
Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio returned to vote-rich Cavite on March 22, gathering 100,000 supporters in their behemoth rally at the General Trias Sports Complex.
[READ: Marcos-Duterte tandem draws huge crowd in GenTri]
May 10, 2022
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr leads the presidential race based on the partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Election’s transparency server.
[READ: Bongbong Marcos in landslide win in PH presidential election]
On the same day, the Comelec junked four appeals seeking to overturn the dismissal of disqualification and cancellation of certificate of candidacy cases against Marcos Jr.
[READ: How Marcos DQ cases could block him from presidency despite election victory]
June 6, 2022
President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s Partido ng Federal ng Pilipinas said the political party spent P272 million for his campaign based on its Statement of Contributions and Expenditures submitted at the Comelec.
June 20, 2022
President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced in a press conference that he will be agriculture secretary “at least for now.”
June 28, 2022
The Supreme Court junked the disqualification and cancellation of certificate of candidacy cases against president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
June 30, 2022
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took his oath as the 17th president of the Philippines at The National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila at noon on Thursday, June 30.
[READ: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sworn in as 17th Philippine president]
