Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Born September 13, 1957 (age 64 years), Manila, Philippines
Running mate
Sara Duterte
Political party
Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
Current occupation
Private Citizen
Platforms
Platforms
Platforms
“Sama-sama tayong babangon muli.”
Disclaimer: These “platforms” are based on statements from media interviews. Marcos Jr. has yet to share a list of his platforms on his official channels. This section will be updated as more information becomes available.
War on drugs
- Continue the drug war but focus on prevention; improve rehabilitation centers rather than treating drug addicts as criminals
West Philippine Sea
- Set aside 2016 arbitral ruling, pursue bilateral deal with China concerning disputed waters; reject US help in dealing with China
Infrastructure
- Continue “Build, Build, Build” program; upgrade seaports, airports, and railways; modernize Pasig River ferry system
Energy
- Support revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
Trade and Industry
- Grant tax amnesty for MSMEs affected by pandemic and tax holiday for entrepreneurs starting out
Health
- Increase budget for healthcare and medical research; Strengthen Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the UP National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology so the latter will be able to produce its own vaccines
Agriculture
- Minimize importation of agricultural products; support suspension of rice tariffication law; improve local production
OFWs
- Offer training programs to displaced OFWs on skills needed in the international labor market, pursue diplomatic efforts to convince other countries to hire them again
Housing
- Revive the BLISS housing program (of Marcos Sr. administration) and build high-rise complexes in urban areas
Labor
- Ask big corporations to change “endo” system so workers can become regular employees
Anti-corruption
- Appoint officials with no history of involvement in corruption; strengthen system of checks and balances to minimize fraud
Source: Radyo Bandera Sweet FM Bacolod
Government Experience
Government Experience
Government Experience
- Vice Governor, Ilocos Norte (1980-1983)
- Governor, Ilocos Norte (1983-1986); (1998-2007)
- Congressman, Ilocos Norte 2nd District (1992-1995); (2007-2010)
- Senator (2010-2016)
Source: Bongbong Marcos Official Website
Education
Education
Education
- Special Diploma in Social Studies, Oxford University (1975-1978)
- Units in Business Administration, Wharton School of Economics, University of Pennsylvania (1979-1981)
Source: Bongbong Marcos Official Website
Notable achievements
Notable achievements
Notable achievements
As Congressman
- First term (1992-1995): Authored 29 House bills and co-authored 90 more.
- Second term (2007 to 2010): Authored 3 House bills and co-authored 21 other bills, 6 of which became laws.
As Senator
Passed laws (from bills authored and co-authored):
- SB No. 3365 / Republic Act (RA) No. 10586: Anti-drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2012
- SB No. 3146 / RA No. 10176: Arbor Day Act
- SB No. 3034 / RA No. 10363: Regional Trial Court (Mandaue, Cebu)
- SB No. 2849 / RA No. 10606: National Health Insurance Act
- SB No. 2796 / RA No. 10175: Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2011
- SB No. 3209 / RA No. 10530: Red Cross and Other Emblems Act of 2012
- SB No. 2625 / RA No. 10364: Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010
- SB No. 3034 / RA No. 10821: Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act
- SB No. 2834 / RA No. 10692: PAGASA Modernization Act of 2015 SB No. 2693 / RA No. 10755: Authorizing the Punong Barangay to Administer the Oath of Office
- SB No. 2401 / RA No. 10742: Youth Development and Empowerment Act of 2014
- SB No. 2226 / RA No. 10676: Student-Athletes Protection Act of 2014
- SB No. 1186 / RA No. 10632: Postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
- SB No. 712 / RA No. 10645: Expanded Senior Citizens Act
- SB No. 3004 / RA No. 10752: Right of Way for National Government Infrastructure Projects
Stands on Issues
Stands on Issues
Stands on Issues
BAN SUBSTITUTION BY WITHDRAWAL | – |
MANDATORY DRUG TEST FOR CANDIDATES | – |
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE | YES *CIVIL UNION, BASED ON STATEMENTS FROM 2016 |
DIVORCE | UNDECIDED |
DEATH PENALTY | UNDECIDED |
ABORTION | YES *FOR RAPE, INCEST VICTIMS |
100% FOREIGN OWNERSHIP | – |
LOWERING AGE OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY | – |
CONTINUATION OF VFA BETWEEN US AND PH | – |
ABOLITION OF PCGG | UNDECIDED |
WERE THERE EJKs IN THE ANTI-DRUG WAR? | – |
PEACE TALKS WITH CPP-NPA-NDF | – |
POGO OPERATIONS | – |
PROHIBITION OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES | NO |
LEGALIZE JUETENG | – |
LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA | YES |
PUBLICIZE SALN OF OFFICIALS | NO |
JOINT PH-CHINA EXPLORATION ON WPS | YES |
PUBLICIZE THE PRESIDENT’S MEDICAL RECORDS | YES |
BAN CANDIDATES WITH CHARGES FROM ELECTIONS | – |
PHILIPPINES RETURNING TO ICC | NO |
ICC TO PROSECUTE PRESIDENT DUTERTE | NO |
TWO-PARTY OR MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM | TWO-PARTY |
PARLIAMENTARY OR PRESIDENTIAL | PRESIDENTIAL *BASED ON 2017 STATEMENT |
Controversies
Controversies
Controversies
- Marcos Jr. has not acknowledged or apologized for the atrocities of Martial Law and has been accused of Historical Revisionism.
- Protested and demanded several recounts after losing vice-presidential bid to Leni Robredo. The protest was dismissed in 2021.
- Tax Evasion: In 1997, Bongbong Marcos was convicted of not filing his taxes from 1982-1985, when he was the vice governor then governor of Ilocos Norte. After defending himself in trial, he was then found guilty of tax evasion.
- Bongbong Marcos did not finish his Oxford University degree: Oxford University has confirmed Marcos’ failure to complete his degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. After an appeal, he was granted a special diploma in Social Studies instead. He previously listed the degree in his resume but has since taken it down.
- Bongbong Marcos did not finish his Wharton School MBA: Though he attended the business school, he did not graduate. He previously listed the degree in his resume but has since taken it down.
- Drug use allegations: President Rodrigo Duterte insinuated that a presidential candidate with a well-known father is a cocaine user. The statement was immediately linked to Marcos, who denied the allegation.
- Absent Strategy: Marcos has chosen to skip key presidential interviews.
- Bangui Wind Farm: Marcos’ official Facebook page shared a post stating that the first power-generating farm in Southeast Asia, the Bangui Wind Farm, was his project. However, it was actually the project of NorthWind Power Development Corporation based on a wind mapping study conducted in the United States in 1996.
- Pork barrel scandal: In 2014, Marcos was implicated by Janet Lim Napoles and Benhur Luy in the PDAF scam. He allegedly channeled P100 million through four fake NGOs linked with Napoles. He claimed that he was unaware that these funds were released and his signatures were forged.