The Marcos Family, Philippine Dictators Return After 36 Years [International Issues+]

Despite Being the 'Son of a Dictator,' Elected with Overwhelming Support
Coalition with Pro-China Duterte Family... Difficult Balancing Act Between the US and China

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the late Ferdinand Marcos, the former president of the Philippines known for his dictatorship, has been elected as the new president of the Philippines. This marks the return to power of the Marcos family 36 years after his father was ousted. Despite significant opposition voices both inside and outside the Philippine political sphere regarding the comeback of the dictator's family, his election with a high majority support has sparked controversy.

Concerns remain that the corruption issues involving his mother, Imelda Marcos, who had also provoked the anger of the Filipino people, will continue to be a stumbling block. Additionally, by forming a coalition government with the pro-China former president Rodrigo Duterte's family, it is expected that the new administration will have to navigate a very difficult diplomatic balancing act between the United States and China.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press on the 30th of last month (local time), President Marcos held a grand inauguration ceremony in front of the National Museum in the capital of the Philippines. He was elected president with an overwhelming support rate of over 60% in the presidential election held earlier last month. It is reported that he was elected with the overwhelming support of young generations who had not experienced the Marcos family's dictatorship.

At the inauguration, President Marcos praised his father, saying he was "a figure who achieved great accomplishments in a country that had achieved nothing after independence," and emphasized his father's achievements by stating, "He built more roads and increased food production compared to his predecessors." He added, "As his son, I will definitely do the same."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

However, the issue of his father's dictatorship is expected to remain a negative factor for his administration going forward. According to the British BBC, the late Ferdinand Marcos was a notorious dictator who monopolized power for 21 years from 1965, declared martial law, engaged in anti-democratic tyranny, arrested and tortured opposition figures, resulting in the deaths of over 3,200 people.

He is also infamous for embezzling more than approximately 13 trillion Korean won. The extravagance of Imelda Marcos, who was the first lady at the time, also became a global topic. Imelda's glamorous appearance at her son's inauguration has already sparked controversy within and outside the Philippine political scene.

Limitations of Coalition with Pro-China Duterte... Attention on Role in Future US-China Rivalry

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Alongside the issue of his father's dictatorship, the biggest problem facing the new Marcos administration is the coalition with the Duterte family. In this election, President Marcos appointed Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, as his running mate and vice president, which has also been controversial.

Analysts suggest that the overwhelming support rate in this election was partly influenced by the Duterte family's clout. Especially since the Duterte family holds a much stronger position in parties and the legislature compared to the relatively weak position of President Marcos, there are concerns that the Marcos administration may be swayed by the Duterte family in the future.

Above all, since former president Duterte pursued a foreign policy based on pro-China diplomacy, there are concerns that the Philippines' diplomatic and security issues will become more complicated amid the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China.

The Chinese government has also urged the new Philippine government to maintain its pro-China diplomacy. On the 30th of last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Marcos, stating, "We are ready to chart the course for the development of bilateral relations and continue to write a great chapter of friendship and cooperation for a new era."

Vice President Wang Qishan, who is considered the second most powerful figure in China, attended the inauguration and met directly with President Marcos, delivering friendly messages such as the two leaders' efforts to improve bilateral relations and properly manage the South China Sea disputes.

However, domestically, with public sentiment opposing China's excessive capital penetration and the South China Sea territorial disputes, combined with pressure from the United States and Western countries, attention is focused on how successfully the Marcos administration will conduct its delicate diplomatic balancing act.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.