The Philippines’ President in India: What to know about Marcos ‘Bongbong’ Junior

This comes at a time when the Philippines and China have increasingly been involved in minor clashes in the South China Sea, where both countries (and several others in Southeast Asia) have laid territorial claims.

This is Marcos Jr’s first visit to India since he was elected President of the Philippines in 2022. The record margin of his victory marked a full circle after his own father and former President, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, was forced to step down in 1986 following a popular uprising. Here is the story of Marcos Junior.

Born into elite family

Bongbong Marcos, 67, was born to Marcos Sr and his wife Imelda. Marcos Sr was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. While he enjoyed considerable popularity among his people early on and was re-elected at the end of his first term, he declared martial law in 1972 amid social unrest.

His two-decade reign saw countless human rights violations, large-scale corruption, and economic collapse, with his family believed to have stolen around $10 billion from the public. Imelda Marcos also became a prominent political figure and a high-flying socialite, known for her lavish lifestyle. A part of her collection of 1,000 pairs of shoes is today housed in a museum in Manila.

US President Richard Nixon (center) at the Manila International Airport with Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos and their children Irene, Bongbong, and Imee. (Wikimedia Commons)

After his re-election last year, US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Marcos Jr about the health of his mother during a phone call, with Trump and Imelda previously running in the same elite social circles.

This was also because by 1986, a popular revolt had taken shape against the rule of Marcos Sr, leading him and his family to seek asylum in the United States. They were eventually granted residence at a military base in Hawaii, where the family fled after reportedly taking along 22 crates of cash, jewellery worth $4 million, and many bars of gold. Marcos Sr passed away in Hawaii in 1989.

Scripted political turnaround

Marcos Jr was studying in England when his father declared martial law in his home country. Upon returning, he assumed his first role in the government as the Vice Governor of the province of Ilocos Norte at the age of 22. Six years later, he fled the country with his family.

For many years, the ruling government in the Philippines denied the Marcos family entry to the country. When they did return in the ’90s, both Marcos Jr and Imelda contested for political offices and won. He served as a congressman and senator before throwing his hat in the ring for the presidential elections in 2022.

Several reasons were cited for what has been described as a remarkable and dramatic victory. Not only did Marcos Jr win despite his family history, he also received 31 million votes, which was more than double that of his closest rival, according to a BBC report.

The campaign made good use of social media to appeal to the under-30 voters who did not live through the previous Marcos administration, portraying it as a “golden period”. At the same time, Marcos Jr also focused his messaging on turning a new leaf, saying, “Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions.” He also built a coalition with Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, pledging unity to serve all Filipinos.

Harder stance on China

Compared with his predecessor, Marcos Jr has taken a stronger approach in dealing with China, and brought his country closer to the United States. The visit to India is also being seen as part of that strategy to counter China.

India and the Philippines began the two-day “bilateral maritime cooperative activity” on Saturday in waters close to the Scarborough Shoal, which has previously figured in the China-Philippines dispute. Beyond the pure territorial significance, the South China Sea also sees huge volumes of trade passing through, and has reserves of fish and hydrocarbons.

In June last year, a submerged reef called the Second Thomas Shoal became a flashpoint. The Philippines said its boats and crew for servicing an old ship on the shoal were hurt by the Chinese boats’ aggressive tactics. China claimed that the Philippines was “entirely responsible” and that it “ignored China’s repeated solemn warnings”. The Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, told the Financial Times that their conflict could escalate such that “the entire Asian region will be completely included”.

However, Vice President Duterte has argued for a more “pragmatic” approach towards China. Notably, her father was also known for a similar policy. She has since left the cabinet over differences with Marcos Jr, with impeachment proceedings initiated against her.

After Marcos Jr’s party performed below expectations in the mid-term election this year, Duterte is seen to be in a stronger position, possibly as a contender for the next elections in 2028. In an attack on the current administration, she said, “It is stated in our constitution that we should have an independent foreign policy that does not lean towards a foreign power, that does not favour the US or does not favour China.”