Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - On Thursday, Ferdinand Marcos, the son of the Philippine leader deposed in a popular rebellion 36 years ...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - On Thursday, Ferdinand Marcos, the son of the Philippine leader deposed in a popular rebellion 36 years prior, took office as president of the nation, promising to work for peace and a better future while honouring the memory of his late father.
The 64-year-old Marcos' victory in last month's election marked the culmination of his wealthy family's decades-long effort to retake the presidency and improve its reputation after being ousted in 1986.
In his inauguration speech, he repeated his unifying campaign themes: "We are here to restore a home split, to make it whole and to stand strong again."
In a stirring 30-minute speech, Marcos Jr thanked voters for giving him "the biggest electoral mandate in the history of Philippine democracy" and predicted that the nation would advance under his leadership. Sitting close by were his sister Imee, a senator, and mother Imelda, a former congresswoman.
From 1965 until his overthrow and family's flight into exile after a "people power" revolution, the elder Ferdinand Marcos reigned for two decades, nearly half of which was spent with martial law in place.
During his reign, thousands of his rivals were imprisoned, killed, or vanished, and the family name became a byword for favouritism, excess, and missing billions of dollars in state riches. The Marcos family rejects accusations of theft.
"I'm not here to discuss the past. I'm here to give you an update on our future "In front of tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters, Marcos Jr. delivered his speech while wearing the colour red, which was his father's favourite.
"No looking back with resentment or longing."
Marcos Jr., who looks a lot like his late father, defended his legacy and declared that he will pursue similar goals.
"I once knew a man who was aware of the scant progress made since independence, but he nevertheless managed to complete the task. The same will apply to his son, sometimes with the required support and other times without. No excuses will be accepted from me, "said he.
At the tightly guarded National Museum, which was once a legislative building where repeated protests against his father's presidency had place, Marcos took his oath of office.
RESPOND, MARCOS
Nearby, hundreds of people demonstrated against Marcos, incensed by a campaign that, according to his detractors, mainly depended on social media to win votes by refuting claims of abuses and decadence during the Marcos era and providing alternate versions of history.
They gathered at the Plaza Miranda, where some of his father's opponents were murdered and injured in a blast that communists were accused of carrying out, carrying signs that read "Reject, Marcos."
Together, we shall rise again was Marcos' campaign anthem, evoking nostalgia for his father's regime, which his family and allies have characterised as the Philippines' golden era.
Victims of persecution under martial law met at a heroes' memorial to take an oath of protection against what they called tyranny and lies.
The survivors are a dying breed, if not an endangered species, and the moment to expose lies is now, according to Cristina Bawagan, who claimed to have been mistreated while living under the elder Marcos' dictatorship.
In a nation of 110 million people, nearly a quarter of whom live on less than $2 per day, his son has promised to create jobs and lower consumer prices.
In order to avoid disappointing the public, he promised to increase energy supply, infrastructure, and food sufficiency, combat plastic pollution, and better support the millions of Filipino workers who are employed abroad.
I'm prepared for the job, he declared. "I'll complete it,"
