It is up to the people of the nation to select their government and their leaders. From an outsider’s perspective, why would you elect the son of a brutal dictator? The Marcos family has not returned the stolen funds from the 1960s to 1980s. They estimate $10 billion [potentially more] was embezzled out of the country and stashed in Swiss bank accounts – and it is still there.

When Ferdinand and Imelda fled to Hawaii with Bongbong [Ferdinand Junior], Imee and Irene, the country was in disarray, years of martial law had left over 3200 dead, 77,000+ incarcerations. There was over 35,000 documented cases of torture, countless women raped and the country destined to another generation of poverty according to Amensty International. Whilst South East Asia is pulling itself out of extreme poverty, the Philippines has been left behind, the country still has not recovered.

The political dynasty was thought to have started when Mariano was elected as a congressman to the House of Representatives in 1925. They were never a clean family, Mariano lost his seat in 1935 and the winner was assassinated on his back porch later that night, after a mock funeral parade marched past his house.

Mariano himself was assassinated in 1945, the family claim it was by the Japanese, but witnesses claim it was by Philippine guerillas after he was tried as a Japanese collaborator and dismembered with carabaos. His son, Ferdinand served in his father’s former position firstly in congress and later in the senate before becoming President in 1965.

Despite the constitution allowing two four year terms, Marcos enacted martial law in 1972 and stayed in power until forced to flee in 1986 after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Living in exile in Hawaii until Ferdinand’s death in 1991, Corazon Aquino allowed family members to return to the Philippines, supposedly to stand trial for corruption.

This was a failure, Imelda then unsuccessfully ran for president in 1992 before being elected to congress for the seat of Leyte. Imelda had another run for the presidency in 1998 before withdrawing and supporting eventual winner, Joseph Estrada. Imelda maintained the congressional position for three terms.

Ferdinand Junior was a senator from 2010 – 2016, unsuccessfully run for Vice President to Rodrigo Duterte, losing to Leni Roberto. I recall there was discussion of legal action, but I believe he decided to not follow up, instead waiting for his opportunity at the end of the Duterte presidency.

So, the Marcos family and all their cronies embedded in the government and government agencies still have major influence at all levels of government. From what I read on social media, Bongbong is widely supported, he did win the presidential election in a landslide, the family deny any wrongdoing and are seeking to redeem the family name. There is impunity for this family whilst they remain in government, let’s see what they do to retain power.