By Karen Lema

MANILA, (Reuters) – Ferdinand Marcos’ son has emerged the winner in the 2022 Presidential Race. President Rodrigo Duterte’s beloved daughter decided to not run for this country’s highest office.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. probably benefited most from Sara Duterte Carpio, Davao mayor,’s decision to run as vice president against her supporters’ wishes, despite being in the lead polls of preferred presidential candidates throughout the year.

The Eurasia Consulting consultancy noted that Marcos has the lead, with 60% chance of success, despite the fact that Duterte Carpio is not in the race for the presidency.

Marcos’ candidacy may have angered the victims of his brutal father’s martial law era, but a Social Weather Station survey in October revealed that he can easily defeat his competitors, even Manny Pacquiao, boxing legend.

SWS polled 1,200 respondents and 47% said that they would vote to elect Marcos, 64, one of the key presidential candidates. He is also known by the nicknames “Bongbong”, or “BBM.”

The only reason is that he won the pro-Sara votes. According to Temario Rivera, a political analyst, there is a very strong affinity between Sara’s voters and BBM voters.

Next year, Duterte is expected to be elected as his successor. He is not allowed to run again for president after his six-year tenure, but will stand for Senate.

Marcos, the sole son of the dictator who ruled over the Philippines for nearly two decades before his death in 1986, is now the president. Duterte Carpio was the man he wanted to run for his running mate. She has not yet accepted.

Marcos’s family, one of the most prominent dynasties in country, is still strong and influential despite falling from grace.

‘STOP-MARCOS CANDIDATE’

Marcos the dictator died in exile after fleeing his country in 1989 following the revolution of “people power”. Marcos Jr. was elected as governor, congressman and senator in the wake of his family’s return. He has a sister who is also a senator, and his mother Imelda Marcos was elected to Congress four times.

Richard Heydarian is a columnist, author and professor who specializes in politics.

Political analysts agree that Marcos’ strong social media presence, which aims to target youth (who make up about a third of all eligible voters), is working in his favor. They were many of the people who did not grow up when Marcos Senior was at power.

According to poll results, the remaining presidential candidates are far off. Leni, who is currently Vice President, had 18% while Francisco Domagoso (Male mayor) was on 13%. Pacquiao came in at 9%.

Christopher “Bong” Go was excluded from the poll. He only entered the race for the presidency on Saturday. Analysts fear that his entry could weaken Marcos’ support.

Marcos also faces disqualification due to a tax evasion case that dates back two decades. Eurasia suggested Duterte may “weaponise it if his ally turns against him.”

Eurasia suggested that Marcos’s opponents could unite to support a single “stop Marcos” candidate.