Unless you’ve been living under a rock or you’re basically blissfully unaware of what is happening in the nation, you probably know that Ferdinand Marcos Jr., commonly known as Bongbong Marcos, has filed his candidacy for the presidency.
Yes, the former senator plans to run for the top political position in the country after losing to Vice President Leni Robredo in 2016 and repeatedly losing in his appeals. 35 years after his father, former president, and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown from Malacañang, his son is looking to redeem the Marcos name once again.
During his filing, he was asked if he was open to interviews about his late father’s dictatorship. He did say he’s open to discussion, but there’s one catch: there should be something new to ask him.
“When have I refused to answer questions about anything?” Marcos said after filing his certificate of candidacy at Sofitel Plaza in Pasay City. “My comment to other people always is if you have something new to ask me. Mahirap naman (It would be hard) if we will be having the same conversation I’ve been having for 35 years.”
“I have never turned down an interview. I have never specified the subjects that we have to talk about,” he added.
However, when Bongbong was asked about his mother Imelda’s graft conviction in 2018–which is still on appeal at the Supreme Court–Marcos declined to answer. “Not here now. I’m here for filing.” Touche!
Understandably, many organizations, Filipinos, and people, in general, are opposed to another Marcos as president of the nation. In fact, a lot of activists have already declared their intention of opposing him even before he goes full force on his campaign.
Despite this strong aversion to another Marcos in power, Bongbong claims he aspires to be a ‘unifying leader.’ He clarified that “unifying” means coming together amid the pandemic.
“We unify now in the face of the COVID and economic crisis, that is what I am talking about when I say unifying leadership. ‘Yan ang kailangan natin ngayon. At siguro, ang hangarin ko ay makapagbigay ng tinatawag na unifying leadership (That is what we need now. And perhaps, my aspiration is to give what is called unifying leadership,” he concluded.
Art Daniella Sison
