Neil Jerome Morales, Enrico Dela Cruz

MANILA (Reuters – Nellie Baraquio, a street vendor will vote in a Philippine presidential election for the first-time on Monday. The campaign sticker she placed on an icebox leaves no doubt who her ballot is going to.

According to the 38-year old, Ferdinand “Bongbong”, Marcos (the red-shirted, smiling man in the sticker), is her best choice for leading her country, despite the fact that his father, and named after him, presided over the worst chapter of the nation’s history.

Baraquio is a street vendor selling cigarettes, snacks, and soft drinks in Manila. He had not been interested in participating in elections in the past. She says that she’s now attracted by the possibility of a stronger economy under Marcos. He has previously described his 20-year rule in Manila as a “golden era” of development.

“This could become the destiny for the Philippines.” Marcos will make it possible for me to vote my first time,” Baraquio stated. She, along with many Filipinos, struggles with high food- and utility costs.

I can do my own work and not depend on government. Baraquio added that prices should drop. “It was a comfortable life for the Philippines in their (Marcos’) time.”

Marcos Snr did see solid economic growth in the country, but it was fueled by enormous debt, which eventually brought about an economic and social crises, and increased inequality.

VERA Files, an independent fact-checking agency, reported in December that Marcos Jr. had been the top beneficiary of online disinformation meant to improve his image as well as discredit rivals.

He is poised to be elected president, despite his denial of fuelling disinformation. According to recent polls, he leads Leni Robredo by more than thirty points, his closest competitor. He narrowly lost the vice-presidential contest in 2016.

Marcos will be running alongside Sara Duterte Carpio (the popular daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte).

Duterte Carpio currently leads the opinion polls for the vice presidential race. She could play a key role in a Marcos win if her supporters rally behind her.

CONTRASTING NARRATIVES

Patrick Uy, a construction worker, is struggling to make ends meet with his $10 per day wage and six children.

He hopes that a vote in Marcos’ favor could make it different.

The 49-year old said, “I hope Marcos lowers prices for electricity, gasoline, and rice.” He will win.

The elder Marcos ruled over thousands of people, Amnesty International stated. According to Amnesty International’s report, the government agency to retrieve the illgotten wealth, the money went missing.

Marcos and his family often claimed that the vast wealth they have amassed was legally earned.

Political observers believe that Marcos is benefiting this year because of his demographic profile. 56% of voters are aged between 18 and 41 and have no direct memories of Marcos’ dictatorship or its removal in the 1986 “people power uprising”.

Baraquio, Uy and many other supporters believe that historical narratives about corruption, cronyism or economic decline during the Marcos period were concocted and fabricated by political rivals.

I don’t believe them. Marcos said that the Philippines did not have debt in the Philippines at the time. Uy stated that we now have deep debts.

They say Marcos is an athief. They are rich and have served for many years.