We all know or read or heard about the former Philippines Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the atrocities committed by him and his wife, Imelda Marcos.
Ferdinand was known for his corruption and suppression of democratic processes. His wife Imelda Marcos appointed her relatives to lucrative government jobs. She was known worldwide for accumulating more than 3,000 pairs of shoes.
Thousands of people took to the streets to support a non-violent military rebellion. Marcos family were airlifted to USA. It is believed they took more than $15 billion with them.
After the death of Ferdinand Marcos, the then President Corazon Aquino allowed the family to return to Philippines.
They have 3 children. One of them is Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. He is known by his nickname Bongbong. Last weekend he was elected as President of the Philippines.
A family which was driven out of power is returning to Malacañang – the Presidential Palace in Manila. Many people believe he won because of his strong friendship with the current President Rodrigo Duterte family. The Duterte machinery is strong.
Opponents believe Bongbong and his people have deceptively-edited videos and uploaded in YouTube. These persuaded millions of Filipinos to have sympathetic opinion of Bongbong. In addition, the administrations from 1986 till date failed to bring significant improvements to the poor Filipinos.
Will wait and see what Bongbong has to offer to the Filipinos.
Politically, the Philippines has always been unstable. There have been many rebellions, coups and military rules that interrupted democratic governments.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to see how the son rules the country. He obviously is weighed down by the legacy of his father.
It's very difficult to rationalise the outcome of an election (assuming it's conducted fairly). Why people voted in a particular way -- that generally looks irrational and strange -- is very difficult to find out.
(My latest post: Online games and the idea of beauty)
Thanks for your comments Pradeep.
DeletePradeep makes a good point. I hope for a positive outcome for the people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Ms. Belle. And, welcome to my blog. I hope so too.
DeleteMs. Belle, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.
I didn't know anything about the political climate of Philippines. Now I know something...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Rajesh.
DeleteI don't have any idea about philipines politics but now I understand it is similar to tamilnadu politics. People who were thrown out for their mistakes and corruption charges have been welcomed by redcarpet
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Gowri. HeHeHe
DeleteHad read about the shoes collection of Imelda Marcos. Amazing how people go on collecting like this. If it is own wealth, then it is fine. If the taxpayers' money has been used to fund such choices, God save the nation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Anita. I understand it is all taxpayers' money.
DeleteI remember watching about this on John Oliver, surprising by the amount of corruption and how without a people's movement, the country is doomed to fail
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Pooja.
DeleteIf a President can bring free education and free medical benefits he is the best President. Education to improve integrity of all the people and health for the welfare of all the people. Amul
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Coach.
DeleteHe may be clever enough to bring a bang over the negative fate of that country so that it may try to catch up with others. Let us wait and see.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting read on the family, which once stood tall there.
Thanks for your comments Sarala.
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