Marcos Jr., known as “Bongbong” in the Philippines, won a landslide in the May 9 election with a platform for national unity and a promise of more jobs, lower prices and more investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
But critics say his rise to power was the culmination of a decades-long attempt to change the name and image of the Marcos family, most recently through a campaign on social media.
Marcos Jr., 64, is the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the kleptocratic government of the country for 21 years from 1965 to 1986 was marked by human rights abuses, widespread corruption and looting of coffers. of the state.
The former senator and congressman was sworn in at the National Museum of Fine Arts in the capital Manila before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines.
In his inaugural address, Marcos Jr. he said his “call for unity” resonated among the people to “offer the largest electoral mandate in the history of Philippine democracy.”
“This is a historic moment for all of us,” he said. “You have chosen me to be your servant, to allow change to benefit everyone. I fully understand the seriousness of the responsibility you put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly, but I am ready for the task.” .
Marcos Jr. he thanked his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, 92, who attended the ceremony. He also praised his father, the late dictator, in his speech.
“I once met a man who saw what little had been achieved since independence. In a land of people with more potential for success, and yet they were poor. But he succeeded. Sometimes with the necessary support. , sometimes without. He will do the same. be with your son, you will have no excuses from me, “he said.
Marcos Jr. he spoke of healing divisions in the country, promised to grow the economy, recover from the pandemic and lead a more prosperous and united country.
“I am here not to talk about the past, I am here to tell you about our future. A future of sufficiency, even abundance, of ways and means readily available to do what needs to be done,” he said. “I’ll get it.”
Activist groups planned to protest the inauguration in Manila, demanding accountability for the alleged crimes committed under the dictatorship of Marcos Sr., CNN Philippines reported.
On Tuesday, Marcos Jr. he survived a last-ditch attempt to disqualify him when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against two petitions seeking to cancel his candidacy for alleged tax offenses, according to CNN Philippines.
Marcos won the election with 31.6 million votes, or 58.77% of the ballots cast – a margin not seen in decades – and replaces outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.
Her formula mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the former president’s daughter, was sworn in as vice president on June 19, and will serve until 2028.
The family legacy
Marcos Jr. he had previously asked the world to judge him for his actions, not for his family’s past. But his election campaign was dominated by his father’s legacy, including the slogan “get up again” taking advantage of the nostalgia of some who saw the period under Marcos Sr. as a golden age for the country. His father’s corrupt and brutal government in the Philippines was reinforced by nearly a decade of martial law between 1972 and 1981. During this time, tens of thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured, or killed for actual or perceived criticism of the government. according to human rights groups.
The Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG), tasked with recovering the family’s illicit wealth, estimates that about $ 10 billion was stolen from the Filipino people.
The Marcos family has repeatedly denied abuses under martial law and the use of state funds for their personal use. Activists say Marcos was never fully responsible and that the victims of martial law continue to fight for justice.
Critics of Marcos Jr. they see his rise to the presidency as a laundering of Philippine history and an attempt by the Marcos family to rewrite the abuses and corruption committed during his father’s dictatorship.
Duterte outgoing
The inauguration of Marcos Jr. marks the end of a six-year term for Duterte, whose bloody legacy is tied to a nationwide crackdown on drugs that has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people, according to police. The Duterte administration ran civil society and the media: imposing tax evasion charges on local and independent media that challenged government policies and claims, and arresting publishers. On Tuesday, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa said the government had ordered the closure of its Rappler news organization. Frank Duterte was also known for a history of despicable comments, including misogynistic comments about women, the Catholic Church, and world leaders.
Some fear that Marcos Jr. continue on the path of Duterte and that misinformation will further obscure the truth, making it more difficult to hold accountable those in power.
Despite his human rights record and the Covid-19 pandemic, which worsened the country’s hunger crisis, Duterte remained very popular nationally.
Fans hope that Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio continue Duterte’s infrastructure policies and his controversial “war on drugs.”
CNN’s Mayumi Maruyama and Alice Barnard contributed.