Karen Lema, Enrico Dela Cruz

MANILA (Reuters – A Philippine election victory led to a familiar, but still new political dawn. It was the beginning of a long and storied return to power for the nation’s top office.

Marcos (better known as Boongbong) defeated Leni Robredo in a historic victory to become the first Filipino candidate to gain a plurality of the presidential vote. It was a spectacular comeback from the nameless son of a dictator who has been decades away.

Marcos, his family fled to Hawaii in 1986 during the “people power”, uprising. He has been in Congress and in the Senate since his 1991 return from the Philippines.

Marcos’s win in Monday’s election looks assured with 96% of eligible ballots being counted in an informal tally showing that he now has over 30 million votes, twice the number of Robredo.

The official results are expected by the end the month.

Marcos stood beside the national flag and said, “There are thousands out there, volunteers. parallel groups. Political leaders who have cast their lot with me because we believe in our message of Unity.”

Marcos (64) campaigned with a platform for unity. However, political analysts warn that his presidency may not be able to promote it.

The Philippine stock market fell 3% Tuesday due to weaker global equities. Analysts also raised concerns over a Marcos victory, especially its fiscal consequences if he keeps his promises of fuel and food subsidies.

In contrast to the dollar, the peso currency rose 0.3%.

Robredo’s millions of voters feel angered at the brazen effort by the former first family, to make use of its social media skills to rewrite historical narratives.

Marcos Senior’s opponents were persecuted during the brutal 1972-1981 period of martial law. The family name was synonymous with plunder and cronyism, as well as extravagant living. State wealth plummeted to the tune of billions.

Marcos Family has always denied any wrongdoing. Many of its advocates, bloggers and social media experts believe historical accounts are misrepresented.

STUDENTS CELEBRATE PROTEST

On Tuesday, around 400 protestors, mostly students, marched outside of the Election Commission, voicing their disapproval at Marcos’ conduct and inciting electoral irregularities.

On Tuesday, the election commission will rule on petitions to reverse its decision to dismiss complaints that Marcos was barred from running for the presidency.

Karapatan Human Rights Group called upon Filipinos not to accept the Marcos presidency. Karapatan said that it had been built on lies, disinformation and “deodorize” the Marcoses detestable image.

Marcos did not want to be interviewed during the campaign and only spoke out when necessary. He also praised his father for being a brilliant and statesman. But he was annoyed at questions about the martial laws era.

Robredo encouraged her supporters to fight for truth till the next election, as the results of the Marcos victory vote showed.

It took time to create the lies. These are not possible to be defeated and we now have the opportunity.” she stated.

Marcos didn’t give much information about his policy plans during campaigning, but it is generally believed that Marcos will closely follow Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte was known for his focus on infrastructure, China-China ties, and high growth. Duterte won a lot of support for his tough leadership style.

Washington should engage with Manila and not criticise the “democratic headwinds buffeting Philippines,” stated Greg Poling, an analyst for Southeast Asia at the Washington D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Poling stated that “This isn’t the end of Philippine democracy” even though it might accelerate its decline.