A Facebook group has come online that is calling for the return of a familiar name in Philippine politics to The Malacañan Palace, that of Ferdinand Marcos. This time the man the small group which has around 208 members wants is his son, calling for BongBong in 2016.
The son of the late President, is currently serving his first term in the Philippine Senate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or known more by his nickname of‘BongBong Marcos’
Members in the group are mostly supporters of the senator from the Ilocos region, where Ferdinand jr. served as Governor and Congressman for it’s second district, the area is often called the ‘Marcos family bailiwick’, also termed ‘the solid north’, while Mr. Marcos has announced no such plans, Nor made any public statements of his intentions beyond serving in the senate. His office staff at the senate say there are more than just one group on facebook making similar calls for him to run in 2016 for President.
In a country like the Philippines, where 94% of all internet users are on facebook. Analysts note it would be interesting to monitor the groups and others progress.
Elections, are still a far off four years away and, the current president is the son of Marcos rivals the late former President Corazon Aquino, and assasinated senator Benigno Aquino Jr – Is President Noynoy Aquino.
The group may turn out to be nothing more than wishful thinking from fans of the senator. But this early let’s take a look at his bio.
bio on website www.bongbong.com reads:
In 17 years in public service, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has compiled a distinguished record of achievement as a political leader and public manager, most of it accomplished away from the spotlight.
Born to prominent parents who commanded the heights of public life during their time, Bongbong was drawn early to the challenge of public service. At 23, he was elected vice-governor of Ilocos Norte in 1980.
But in 1986, after the EDSA Revolution, he was forced to leave the country in exile. While he was away, his thoughts were not far from the country, as he continued to study and develop his skills, with the plan to return to the Philippines in mind.
Braving the possibility of arrest from the new regime, Bongbong was the first of his family to return to the country. Despite all the stigma that he had to endure, in 1992 he was elected to the House of Representatives as representative for the second district of Ilocos Norte. As an opposition congressman, he authored the landmark act establishing the Philippine Youth Commission.
In 1998, he ran and won for the first of three terms as governor of Ilocos Norte. In his nine years as governor, he transformed Ilocos Norte into a first-class province, a major tourism destination, and a pioneer in harnessing windpower for energy.
In 2007, he returned to the House of Representatives, where he is now Deputy Minority Leader. Despite being an opposition leader, he has successfully championed the passage of significant legislation, including the country’s Baselines Law. Swinging from the executive to the legislative in public service is no big deal for Bongbong Marcos. In the executive he has proven his mettle as a leader and manager; in the legislative, he has shown leadership in the making of public policy.