Manila – Philippine Congressman Ferdinand Marcos Jr formally filed his certificate for candidacy in the 2010 Senate line-up of the Nationalista Party. Bong-Bong Marcos, a popular congressman from his fathers bailiwick of Ilocos Norte where he also served as governor for several terms has perhaps one of the most recognized names in Philippine Politics and huge base of supporters to count of from his fathers and mothers terms in office.
But in the same light Marcos also bears the baggage of allegations of the years of abuse suffered b man Filipinos under his fathers rule. Some of which includes his role and that of his sisters who were active during his fathers 26 years in power both as a elected leader and later US – backed strongman.
However to these detractors, Marcos’s Jr says, "I am proud to be a Marcos, I am proud to be my fathers son." making no attempt to downplay or manage what is fact of history and his parents years.
Who in spite of numerous allegations Marcos Sr. is regarded by many as one of the Philippines most popular if controversial presidents of the 20th century. Critics who have for decades pounded away at Marcos’s role in history have not failed to dim the level support he enjoys from what many in Philippine politics view as the ‘solid north’, of the vote rich Ilocos Provinces.Marcos Jr, can count on support and also a strong level of voter turnout from his region and other parts of the country. But in the same light most surveys show 2 in 3 Filipinos surveyed have a positive reaction or memory of his fathers years in power. But, those are those over the age of 35 – most younger voters – many born in decades after the Marcos years have no memories of the those years other than the dictator label pegged on his father and conjugal nature of those years in power.
Ilocos as a model: Green energy, Agriculture, and Greenback’s from tourism Marcos’s plans to replicate nationwide
Marcos Jr. is quick to show off Windmills along the beaches of Pagupud town in the Ilocos province. Where he was governor as his model for how the Philippines can use alternative energy to lessen dependence on imported foreign oil. His Agricultural programs of heavy local government support per 100 hectare (220 acres) of farms in cooperative owned post harvest facilities- rice milling, drying and compost facilities is award winning model that has been copied though out Southeast Asia. The food supply of Ilocos itself is often seen as one of the most stable of the northern luzon areas of the Philippines. The same efforts which allows farmers to process rice and other crops and sell them through cooperative has established a steady supply for the strong local tourism industry of Ilocos. Nearly 200 small to medium scale resorts operate in the region most offering affordable vacation destinations for families and has been a large influx of investment and jobs in the region.
Lastly, Marcos jr has also been successful as a governor and congressman in implementing the national government PHILHEALTH program which provides for free medical care for residents who earn less than 10,000 pesos a year and subsidized cooperative health care for all members in a particular area. Marcos Jr’s program has roughly 95% coverage one of the highest on the Philippines insuring health care for local resident and farmers who now can ‘get sick’ without fear in a province where productivity has increased because of this and other health care reforms introduced including subsidized or no cost medical care in the area. Similar programs exist in other provinces and Philippine cities including Makati in Metro Manila and Bukidnon province in Mindanao,
Leftist line-up pulls out from NP over Marcos inclusion:
Success aside as Governor – history and his other old foes still haunt his candidacy Marcos also has problems from within his own party where a senate slate made up of former communist rebels, now elected members of congress who were imprisoned during his fathers tenure have pulled out from the NP ticket and chosen to run as independents.Other political parties also have been keen to focus attention of Marcos in the line-up of the rival NP party of Billionaire property developer Mannuel Villar. Whose lineup for the senate – all voted for the same time as the President Vice President and local city, town, and local posts on the same day in the May 14, 2010 polls. As a indication of Villar’s unique line-up of left wing and right wing candidates who make up his reconciliation ticket to tr and heal decades of division in Philippine politics.
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