Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed victory in the 2022 Philippines elections on Wednesday, and claimed that people have spoken decisively, according to a statement from his spokesperson.
Marcos Jr., who is known as Bongbong in the Philippines, promised to be a President for all Filipinos, said Victor Rodriguez, Marcos’ Chief of Staff and spokesperson.
Compared to his closest rival, who won approximately 14 million votes, Marcos Jr. received 31 million votes according to partial and unofficial results. 98 percent of the votes had been counted at this time.
Marcos Jr. promises economic reforms
The presidential campaign of Marcos Jr. was based on a platform of unity, with the promise of more jobs, lower prices, and greater investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
He said at a media briefing after the elections, that choosing a team to manage the country’s economy would be among his first steps as President. He also said that he intends to hit the ground running.
He further stated that economic managers are going to be critical for the first several years due to the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis in the country.
If confirmed officially, the victory would see the family’s return to power more than 30 years after they were forced to flee the country in disgrace after the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
Marcos Sr.’s 21-year rule was marked by charges of corruption and human rights abuses, and he died in exile three years after fleeing the Philippines. His family returned to the Philippines in 1991, and proceeded to become wealthy, powerful politicians.
According to political analysts, the rise of Marcos Jr. is the culmination of a long attempt to rebrand the Marcos family name and image. This was most recently supported through a powerful social media campaign.
Although Marcos Jr. tied his campaign to his father’s legacy with the tagline ‘Rise again’, he asked the world to judge him by his actions, rather than his family’s past.
Despite tying his campaign to his father’s legacy with the slogan “rise again,” the President-elect has asked the world to judge him by his actions, not by his family’s past, in a statement released by his spokesperson.
Robredo, who has said she won’t concede until election irregularities are checked, urged her supporters to accept the results of the May 9 election.
She called on her supporters to accept the results, whatever they may be, since it would bring out a bigger strength that will unite the people.
On Tuesday, presidential candidates Manny Pacquiao, the former boxing champion, and Isko Moreno, Manila mayor and former actor, conceded defeat.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters and students gathered outside the Philippines Election Commission in Manila on Tuesday, in protest against the dynastic family and what they claimed were election irregularities.
The election commission on Tuesday dismissed claims of electoral cheating.
