Bongbong Marcos: Philippines rights groups decry presidential bid of late dictator’s son
Marcos, accompanied by his spouse and two sons, filed his candidacy for presidential elections in 2022, additional shaking up an already polarized political panorama.
“The Marcoses stay scot-free from jail, they have not returned all the cash that they obtained from the nation’s coffers, and now they’re making a comeback for the very best place within the land, that’s simply plain, shameless gall,” stated Cristina Palabay of rights group Karapatan.
The Marcos household has lengthy sought to rebuild its picture and has repeatedly denied allegations that it plundered state wealth whereas in energy, estimated in 1987 at $10 billion.
Because the third contestant to enroll in the Might 2022 presidential polls, Marcos, popularly often known as “Bongbong” and extra lately as “BBM”, repeated he could be a “unifying” chief to assist the Philippines sort out the pandemic and financial crises.
“Regardless of being on the middle of decades-long hate campaigns and protests, the household has at all times revered their proper to voice their sentiments and can proceed to take action,” Marcos’ chief of workers Victor Rodriguez stated in a press release.
Marcos’ father was chased from workplace in a individuals’s energy revolt in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii three years later. The Marcos household returned to the Philippines within the Nineteen Nineties and have become highly effective politicians representing their dwelling province of Ilocos Norte.
Forward of the youthful Marcos’ candidacy submitting, protesters rallied exterior the Fee on Human Rights constructing in Manila, some burning photos of the late ruler, as they vowed to dam his efforts to return the household to energy.
“We all know that the Marcoses have lengthy wished to return to Malacañang (presidential palace) to rearrange historical past,” human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares advised CNN affiliate CNN Philippines.
Bongbong Marcos ran for vp in 2016 however misplaced to lawyer Leni Robredo, who can be anticipated to contest the presidency subsequent yr.
Presidents are elected individually from the vp within the Philippines.
Opinion polls of attainable presidential candidates have persistently proven Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, within the lead regardless of her saying she wouldn’t be a part of the race.
Some speculate Marcos and Duterte-Carpio may run on the identical ticket.