Some dynasties have also used force to turn out votes of limited competition. Youre on the list! Twenty-five years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that 23 billion pesos ($442 million) was due. Five years ago, 86% of Filipinos were found to have less than $10,000 in wealth. To the world: Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions, Marcos Jr. said upon declaring victory, according to a statement from his spokesman. Delivered Friday. Marcos names lawyer to head govt's Philippine Competition Commission, Atty. Is Weiss correct? He and first lady Nancy Reagan counted Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos as friends, upholding the Philippines as a rare democracy in Southeast Asia. The Biden administration has passed landmark legislations such as theInflation Reduction Act(IRA) and theCHIPS and Science Act, which provide subsidies in clean energy and semiconductoShow morers worth well over $400 billion. He often invokes his family name at campaign rallies but remains wary of exposing himself to the vagaries of political debate. Marcos Jr. has also played up his alliance with the Duterte family, as the outgoing president remains widely popular despite the brutal violence of his anti-drug campaign. Ukraines economy and infrastructure have been dealt blows that will take decades to recover from. But there was also little for people to pick apart during the campaign, said Vicente Rafael, author of The Sovereign Trickster: Death and Laughter in the Age of Duterte and aprofessor of Southeast Asian history at the University of Washington in Seattle. Marcos Jr. has harnessed the power of TikTok to rehabilitate his image. Philippine martial law victims challenge Bongbong Marcos presidential bid Activists who were jailed, abused and tortured under the late dictator fear his son will He also refused to attend a debate hosted by CNN in the Philippines. Politics, Today, his son Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., 64, is the frontrunner to replace outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte and reclaim the presidency for the Marcos family. If Putin had hoped to weaken NATO, the very opposite has happened, with Finland and Sweden on the cusp of joining the transatlantic military alliance. The rise of American-made chatbots has kicked off a flurry of Chinese activity. [64] However, following his election in May, then-president-elect Marcos declared that he would uphold Philippines v. China, vowing to invoke the ruling "to assert [the Philippines'] territorial rights" if and where necessary. Notably, he has not said much on the economy. ", As for martial law, his parents told him it instilled "discipline.". [59], Marcos pledged to continue former president Duterte's policy of strengthening relations with China, whom he labeled the Philippines' "strongest partner. This could have helped protect poor farmers from being dispossessed, but the land titles were so expensive and complicated to acquire that only the well-off got titles. These rich and powerful family networks can protect politicians from real accountability and keep reform at bay., The history of the Philippine eliteand why voters continue to uphold their powerhas colonial roots. Marcos assumed the presidency over the Philippines as the world was still struggling from the economic and social impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its negative effects were further amplified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In addition, current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave the clan a boost in 2016 when he had Marcos Sr. reburied in the Cemetery of Heroes in Manila. The Marcoses appear to be benefiting from "an extensive network" of anonymously managed social media accounts and online influencers, says Gemma Mendoza, who oversees coverage of disinformation for the Philippine news platform Rappler. The latest news, analysis, and data from the country each week. The network of influencers is seeking to advance the "family's makeover" and "to alter public perception," Mendoza says. Presiden Filipina terpilih Ferdinand Marcos Jr diam-diam berkunjung ke Australia. Critics say this was the result of Mr Marcos Jr consistently painting his father's rule as a prosperous time, whitewashing a period of rampant corruption and widespread poverty. Want to read more on this topic or region? The youthfulness of the Philippine population helps obscure the truth of the Marcos dictatorship. But his widow returned to the Philippines in 1991, an undiminished force in the family's political machinery. "It is [my] promise to be a president for all Filipinos," he added. The younger Mr Marcos has served in various elected positions over the years. The Philippine government has recovered some $3.4 billion from the couple's ill-gotten wealth, and is still collecting. Janet Lim-Napoles, a businesswoman and the convicted ringleader of the scheme, claimed Marcos Jr. was involved, although he denied any knowledge and said his signature on forms releasing money to fake NGOs was forged. Scalice says the Marcos era saw the Instead, he has used vague phrases such as "national unity" and implied that his policies would continue to back Duterte's infrastructure-based "Build, Build, Build" public works plan.. Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images What can we glean from the current state of play on the battlefield? The two decades that Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ruled the Philippines unfolded in dramatic fashion, bookended by his propaganda-fueled rise to power in the 1960s and a dark-of-night escape from the country in the 1980s after a nonviolent uprising toppled his authority. So what accounts for Marcos Jr.s popularity in spite of his legacy of malfeasance? In the race to replace outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, the latest polling shows that the 64-year-old Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is maintaining a significant, if slightly receding, lead. Don Joaqun Ortega was appointed the first governor of La Union in 1901, and 120 years later his descendants are still governors., Voters turn to political dynasties for a variety of reasons. He believes that Filipinos are the best being kind, gracious, hardworking, and resourceful people. ", "Marcos swears in Cabinet members as 1st 'official act', "Marcos takes oath as 17th Philippine president", "Bongbong Marcos to head agriculture department in concurrent post", "Sara Duterte takes oath as 15th vice president", "Marcos picks ex-CJ Bersamin as new executive secretary", "Bongbong Marcos appoints career diplomat Enrique Manalo as DFA secretary", "Enrile, Guevarra, Faustino to join Marcos Cabinet", "Marcos picks Carlito Galvez as Defense secretary", "Marcos taps Vergeire as Health dept OIC", "Housing department assures unhampered operations", "Jose Acuzar takes oath as housing chief under Bongbong Marcos admin", "Marcos appoints former STAR reporter Edu Punay as DSWD OIC", "Marcos names Valenzuela Rep. Gatchalian as DSWD chief", "Marcos picks Clarita Carlos as NSA, Conrado Estrella as DAR chief", "PBBM swears in Yulo-Loyzaga as DENR chief", "Abalos gets DILG post; Marcos transition team members named", "Sara Duterte spox Christina Frasco to serve as tourism secretary", "Bongbong Marcos picks ex-PAL president Jaime Bautista for DOTr", "Former GMA Cabinet member appointed energy secretary by PBBM", "Former DILG Secretary Ao sworn in as new National Security Adviser", "Erwin Tulfo to serve as DSWD secretary; 4 other Marcos Cabinet members named", "Incoming solicitor general Guevarra: From Aquino to Duterte and now Marcos", "Palace issues memo allowing Galvez to remain in his post", "PBBM names Paul Soriano as Presidential Adviser on Creative Comms; Swears in 3 COMELEC officials", "DOH launches COVID-19 booster program targeting 23 million Filipinos", "Nearly 3.5 million individuals get 1st booster shots under PinasLakas drive", "Marcos OKs voluntary use of masks outdoors", "PBBM extends state of calamity until year-end", "Philippines ratifies RCEP trade deal after shift by Marcos", "NCRPO on full alert for return of travelers, full F2F classes", "Marcos formalizes Duterte's spoken order to suspend e-sabong", "Goodbye 'Build, Build, Build'; P1.196-T sought for PBBM's 'Build, Better, More' infrastructure program", "More LGUs support Marcos' housing program", "10 more LGUs sign up for Pambansang Pabahay", "Post-pandemic must-have: Marcos vows better internet in far-flung areas", "Bongbong Marcos signs SIM Card Registration Act", "PBBM pledges 'safer, more prosperous' PH amid challenging times", "Marcos Shuns International Court Probing Duterte Drug War", "Marcos calls for 'diplomacy, dialogue' to settle SCS disputes", "Marcos pushes for early conclusion of South China Sea Code of Conduct", "Philippines' Marcos to Pursue Bilateral Deal With Beijing Over South China Sea", "Marcos: PH has 'no territorial conflict with China', "Philippines' Marcos Jnr weaves new diplomacy bringing back close-knit US ties", "Marcos sees stronger PH-US alliance in coming years", "Marcos admin gets high approval ratings in Pulse Asia survey", "Philippines election winner Marcos tells world to judge him by actions, not family's past", "Rights groups push for 'immediate justice,' independent probe on PH human rights abuses", "Bayan coalition to present 'people's demands' during SONA protest rally", Historical distortion regarding Ferdinand Marcos, Secretary of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Presidency_of_Bongbong_Marcos&oldid=1142454413, Short description is different from Wikidata, Use Philippine English from November 2022, All Wikipedia articles written in Philippine English, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2022, Articles to be expanded from November 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 13:24. Ferdinand Marcos, with his wife Imelda at his side and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., far right, gestures from the balcony of Malacanang Palace on Feb. 25, 1986, in Manila, after taking the oath of office as president of the Philippines. Imelda Marcos arrives at the Commission on Elections to lend support for her daughter Imee Marcos in filing her candidacy for a Senate seat in 2018 in Manila. Beijing's expansive claim to most of the South China Sea unnerves its smaller neighbors including the Philippines. A supporter holds pictures of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, as Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, take part in a rally to campaign for the presidency and the vice presidency in February, in Manila. Corazon "Cory" Aquino, the widow of assassinated Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino and leader of the peaceful People Power Revolution, became president. Marcos has promised to improve health care, expand educational opportunities and combat climate change. With Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ineligible for reelection, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.widely known as Bongbongis poised to win a landslide victory at the polls on May 9. Mr Duterte, a hugely popular strongman-style leader, oversaw a notorious war on drugs that led to police killing thousands without trial, according to human rights groups. When the United States seized control of the Philippines in 1898, it pledged to give land to the poor. In the latest opinion poll released this week, the late dictator's son polled at 56% while support for Robredo was at a distant 23%.. The embattled president's longtime ally, the U.S., called on him to step down. But its not just the United States. Bongbong Marcos successfully portrayed himself as the candidate for change, like his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, promising happiness and unity to a country weary of the years of political polarisation and pandemic hardship and hungry for a better story. Deeply entrenched political dynasties have hollowed out the political process, making elections not about parties or ideas but about family names. By wide margins, Filipinos say they distrust China and want Philippine interests defended. Ferdinand Marcos died in Honolulu in 1989 at age 72. What will another year of war look like? met US President Joe Biden in New York last week, there was an uncomfortable sense of deja vu [63], While campaigning for president in January 2022, Marcos committed to "set aside" Philippines v. China in favor of direct negotiations with the Chinese government over the disputes, stating that the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling was "no longer available" to the Philippine government because China, among many other parties, had rejected it. WebBorn in Manila, Araneta Marcos is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University and completed her post-graduate courses at the New York University. that in the 2004 election, when there was evidence that a mayor had engaged in corruption on one occasion, that mayor was 4.6 percent less likely to be reelected. . But it remains to be seen if the younger Marcos will risk upsetting Beijing by drawing closer to the U.S.. Historian Manuel Quezon says the Philippines is part of a global trend whereby extreme views find favor with voters, while fueling anti-democratic impulses. He did this by capitalizing on the strengths of the land and its people, and by showcasing the provinces natural and cultural destination areas. The younger Marcos, better known as Bongbong, has kept a low profile in the mainstream media, instead running a sophisticated social media campaign with millions of followers. The end of the Marcos era was only the beginning of the familys troubles. These rich and powerful family networks can protect politicians from real accountability and keep reform at bay. Jinggoy Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, helped build day care centers when he was mayor of San Juan. Scalice calls it an "untenable balancing act." But that was only a sliver of what they had amassed, and in the following decades, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos would be hit with criminal and civil fraud charges filed in the United States and accusations by the Philippine government that the couple plundered billions of dollars from their home country, stashed millions in Swiss and Hong Kong bank accounts, and tried to profit from clandestine investments in New York real estate. "Think Q-Anon, but Philippine style," he says. Over 50% of Filipinos eligible to vote on Monday's election are between the ages of 18 and 41, according to the Commission on Elections as quoted by the local media. Unofficial results from Mondays election show Marcos Jr., 64, capturing more than 31 million votes, double that of his closest rival, current Vice President Leni Robredo, with other candidates trailing far behind, including retired boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. But beyond the goals of one leader in Moscow, it is also clear that Ukraine has suffered horrors of a historic nature. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images Meanwhile, Debbie Torres is the newly-appointed Director 4 for the DILG, while Jose Albert Barrogo and Luz Marcelino have both been named Director 3 for the DA. Menangi Pilpres, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr Diam-diam Liburan ke Australia. Dutertes daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio is running for vice president, further cementing a Duterte-Marcos alliance.. , Marcos Jr.s campaign also appeals to nostalgia among voters who lived during the era when Marcos Sr. built new rail lines, cultural centers, hospitals, and other infrastructure projects, as well as among younger voters who have been sold on this sanitized image of the Marcos era. by Reuters. When the United States seized control of the Philippines in 1898, it pledged to give land to the poor. [66], Unlike Duterte, whose foreign policy lessened the country's dependence on the United States, Marcos sought to strengthen the Philippines' relations with its traditional ally. Heydarian says many Filipinos are disillusioned and nostalgic, and a considerable number over age 50 are "trying to convince their children and their grandchildren that 'Hey, if we go back to the Marcos era, those were the golden days, those were the days of strength, and innocence and statesmanship.'". Former first lady Imelda Marcos, famous for her lavish shoe collection, recalled stuffing "diamonds into diapers" in the rush to escape aboard a U.S. Air Force plane. He had always been keen on this. Weekly update on whats driving U.S. national security policy. Ronald Reagan, as California governor, struck an alliance with Marcos that stretched into his own presidency. In return, the ruling families tend to commission populist projects. Are You Asking About Is Bongbong Marcos A Lawyer? Whatever the future holds, this much is evident, Rafael said: Marcos Jr. was able to apply his fathers propaganda toolkit to scale the political heights and orchestrate a comeback for his family that 36 years ago would have seemed inconceivable. Among the 10 candidates in the race, Marcos Jr. was the only one to skip the two televised debates held by the government's Commission on Elections. BBM said he wants to restore the trust and confidence of the Filipino people in government bureaucracy, and he hopes to bring all Filipinos to work together towards a shared vision and goal, especially now that the country is facing challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why he wants to restore in Filipinos the sense of pride in themselves and the sense of nationhood. Bongbong Marcos has signed a total of 18 executive orders, 171 proclamations, 4 administrative orders, 12 memorandum orders, 14 memorandum circulars, and one special order. If Putin had hoped to weaken NATO, the very opposite has happened, with Finland and Sweden on the cusp of joining the transatlantic military alliance. At that time, his father's corrupt and brutal legacy was at the front-and-center of the opposition's campaign.. Women activists hold a makeshift prison cell with colleagues wearing masks depicting President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (right), son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and currently presidential aspirant for the May 9 elections, during a march to Malacanang Palace to celebrate International Women's Day in Manila last month. Philippine presidential frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stuck to an evocative message of rekindling the idea of former greatness. It was moved to the National Museum since the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital still occupies the site at the time of the inauguration. Powerful families date back to the Spanish period and have cemented their hold on power. [67][68], Mobilizations against Marcos' presidency have occurred as protests against historical distortion,[70] human rights violations,[71] and economic conditions.[72]. In fact, 86 percent of Filipinos surveyed in 2020 by Transparency International called corruption in government a big problem. "Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions," Mr Marcos said in a statement via his spokesman on Tuesday. , My research shows that, when given a choice, Philippine voters are less likely to vote for corrupt politicians. In a statement last week, Marcos spokesman Victor Rodriguez blasted Carpio for "lies, hatred, and black propaganda," saying that properties of the estate had been forfeited "in favor of the government in satisfaction of the estate tax due.". He says, "Marcos did that. Political officer: Marcos Jr. apologized for not attending Your guide to the most important world stories of the day. During that time, dissidents and political opponents were jailed and described being tortured and sexually abused by soldiers. If the Marcos name was once reviled among many Filipinos who associated it with cronyism, rights abuses, excess wealth and shoes Marcos wife, Imelda, owned an infamous footwear collection the political dynasty appears to have reclaimed the highest office in the Southeast Asian nation, a longtime U.S. ally. Her infamous 3,000-pair shoe collection discovered when protesters stormed the presidential palace in the 1986 uprising is now housed in a Manila museum. This began at least a decade ago, with hundreds of deceptively-edited videos being uploaded to YouTube, which were then reposted on sympathetic Facebook pages. Such myth-making glorifies a period of tyranny and corruption in which Marcos the son was as invested as his parents, Scalice says. His older sister ran a childrens TV show when Marcos Sr. was in power. Marcos Jr. has also played up his alliance with the Duterte family, as the outgoing president. Marcos Jr.s campaign also appeals to nostalgia among voters who lived during the era when Marcos Sr. built new rail lines, cultural centers, hospitals, and other infrastructure projects, as well as among younger voters who have been sold on this sanitized image of the Marcos era. But from 1972 to 1981, Marcos also controlled the Philippines through martial law, which he declared was necessary in order to combat perceived threats to the country from communists and Muslim separatists. despite the brutal violence of his anti-drug campaign. These have persuaded millions of Filipinos that the vilification of the Marcoses after their downfall was unfair, that the stories of unrivalled greed were untrue. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews. The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account. History could come full circle in the Philippines next month. Xi and Biden were among the first world leaders to congratulate Marcos Jr. on his apparent election win, suggesting the two rivals view the Philippines as a pivotal linchpin in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region. If you look at how he crafted his campaign, Rafael said, they were very good at playing the long game.. For example, in 1912, the Philippine Assembly made it a crime to break a labor contract, which effectively forced sharecroppers to stay on large plantations. Join FPs Ravi Agrawal for a frank discussion about the Biden administrations China policy and alternatives that it ought to consider.. When Marcos was declared the winner, demonstrators filled the streets of the capital, Manila, for days in what is known as the People Power Revolution. Ikuti. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Alex Murdaugh jailed for life for double murder, Why the disgraced lawyer was spared death penalty, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping is unveiling a new deputy - why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. , The other major candidates running against Marcos Jr. dont come from such important families with such deep political connections. What will another year of war look like? [citation needed], The Marcos administration launched its COVID-19 booster shot campaign, PinasLakas, to administer booster doses to at least 23 million Filipinos during Marcos' first 100 days,[45] but managed to boost only 3.5 million. It was superseded by the Build, Better, More program, which added more infrastructure projects. PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Ferdinand Negre as new Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chief, Malacaang announced Marcos Jr seen here addressing a rally in suburban Manila in April. Got a confidential news tip? But the inducements encourage U.S. companies to invest only at homenot elsewhere. The Philippines ratified the RCEP on February 2023. Analysis: This week, wearing all red and clutching a rosary, the 92-year-old Marcos matriarch cast a vote for her son in the presidential election. Delivered Thursday. Addressing a virtual forum in March, Marcos Jr. said the Philippines shared a "special relationship" with the U.S.. Scalice says the Marcos era saw the warrantless arrests of 70,000 people, the deaths of nearly 4,000, the stifling of free speech and the persecution of political rivals. Turnout on voting day was high and previous elections in the country have largely been ruled to be fair. Prior to his new post, Negre served as a member of the Supreme Court Sub-Committee on Special Rules in Intellectual Property. and which came to light in July of 2013. Read about our approach to external linking. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, the son of a former Philippines' dictator, has asked to be judged on his actions not his ancestors after dominating the country's presidential election. One famous scandal involved members of congress funneling money to phony nongovernmental organizations in exchange for kickbacks in what is known widely as the. Is the Biden administrations China policy too hawkish? Cue the protests from other parts of the globe: A chorus of nations are accusing Washington of fostering unfair competition. Politics He lost the 2016 vice-presidential election to Ms Robredo - a result he fiercely contested. The Marcos campaign did not respond to NPR's request for comment on this or any other issue. The younger Marcos has spent long years in politics. Critics allege his election campaign was fuelled by a misinformation campaign on social media, which he denies. (The World Bank estimates he stole between $5 billion and $10 billion over the course of his rule.) Join FPs Ravi Agrawal for a frank discussion about the Biden administrations China policy and alternatives that it ought to consider.. Bongbong, as he is popularly known, was 15 when his father imposed martial law in the Philippines in 1972. [16], Marcos began naming his Cabinet members on May 12, 2022. MANILA, Philippines The camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. on Monday insisted that he is qualified to run for the highest [54] 28 local government units (LGUs) have signed a memorandum of understanding with the DHSUD to pursue housing projects, with 11 of them already in the construction stage. As mandated by Republic Act (RA) Create an FP account to save articles to read later and in the FP mobile app. PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Ferdinand Negre as new Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chief, Malacaang announced on Thursday. And how might that be impacting the world? Marcos supporters have been celebrating since early results suggested a big victory, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr at his last campaign rally, Bongbong Marcos: The man attempting to revive a corrupt dynasty, 'Politicians hire me to spread fake stories', Bakhmut attacks still being repelled, says Ukraine, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, Canadian grandma helps police snag phone scammer, Zoom boss Greg Tomb fired without cause, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus. You may opt out at any time. [4][5] He won the 2022 elections, receiving 31,629,783 (58.77%) votes out of a total of 56,097,722, beating his closest rival, Liberal Party member and Vice President Leni Robredo by over 15 million votes.[6]. Copyright The Manila Times All Rights Reserved. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Pemberitahuan legal. Build! By one estimate from Harvard University, more than 130,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or severely wounded, in addition to the deaths of more than 7,000 Ukrainian civilians. In fact, 86 percent of Filipinos, in 2020 by Transparency International called corruption in government a big problem. When Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jnr. Based on the list released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Negre's appointment took effect last February 27. Vote buying in the form of gifts or cash is common in the Philippines. hide caption. Marcos Jr., in turn, has been accused of graft and convicted of tax evasion. The United States spent $7 millionalmost as much as it paid for Alaska in the 1860sto buy land from Catholic friars who had run much of the country. Janet Lim-Napoles, a businesswoman and the convicted ringleader of the scheme, claimed Marcos Jr. was involved, although he denied any knowledge and said his signature on forms releasing money to fake NGOs was forged. The United States created a system where only property owners could vote, limiting the franchise to. Southeast Asia. 2023 BBC. Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others beliefs. The Marcos name today is ringed by a kind of romanticism, a vintage it has acquired from the days when, as the narrative goes, the Philippines used to matter in world affairs. One-stop digest of politics, economics, and culture. Washington is right to counter Iran's brutality at home and abroad, but that shouldn't stop it from engaging with an adversary to preserve regional peace. Some dynasties have also used force to turn out votes of limited competition. He has rarely given media interviews and refuses to answer shouted questions from journalists at rallies. When he spoke at the 2015 Asia CEO Talks, he delved into this topic as well: My vision of our country is one that can overcome its economic and social challenges by drawing on our own strengths and drawing on our unity. Weekly update on developments in India and its neighbors. And then there are the myths, widely believed in poorer parts of the Philippines, that the Marcoses do indeed hold vast wealth in offshore accounts or hidden stashes of gold bullion, but that these are being kept to benefit the Filipino people once they are restored to power.