But critics say his rise to energy was the fruits of a decades-long try and rebrand the Marcos household’s identify and picture, most just lately via a supercharged social media marketing campaign.
Marcos Jr., 64, is the son and namesake of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., whose 21-year kleptocratic rule of the nation from 1965 to 1986 was marked by human rights abuses, widespread corruption, and plunder of the state coffers.
The former senator and congressman took his oath of workplace on the National Museum of Fine Arts within the capital Manila earlier than Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, in response to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines.
In his inauguration speech, Marcos Jr. stated his “call for unity” resonated with the folks to “deliver the biggest electoral mandate in the history of Philippine democracy.”
“This is a historic moment for us all,” he stated. “You picked me to be your servant, to enable changes to benefit all. I fully understand the gravity of responsibility you put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly but I am ready for the task.”
Marcos Jr. thanked his mom, the 92-year-old former first girl Imelda Marcos, who attended the ceremony. He additionally praised his father, the late dictator, in his speech.
“I once knew a man who saw what little had been achieved since independence. In a land of people with the greatest potential for achievement, and yet they were poor. But he got it done. Sometimes with needed support, sometimes without. So will it be with his son — you will get no excuses from me,” he stated.
Marcos Jr. spoke of therapeutic divisions within the nation, promised to develop the financial system, recuperate from the pandemic and lead a extra unified, affluent nation.
“I am here not to talk about the past, I am here to tell you about our future. A future of sufficiency, even plenty, of readily available ways and means to get done what needs doing,” he stated. “I will get it done.”
Activist teams deliberate to protest the inauguration in Manila, calling for accountability for alleged crimes dedicated beneath the Marcos Sr. dictatorship, CNN Philippines reported.
Family legacy
The Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG), tasked with recovering the household’s ill-gotten wealth, estimates about $10 billion was stolen from the Filipino folks.
The Marcos household has repeatedly denied abuses beneath martial legislation and utilizing state funds for his or her private use. Campaigners say the Marcoses have been by no means held absolutely accountable and victims of martial legislation are nonetheless combating for justice.
Outgoing Duterte
Some concern Marcos Jr. will proceed down Duterte’s path and that disinformation will additional obscure the reality, making it tougher to carry these in energy accountable.
Despite his document on human rights and the Covid-19 pandemic, which worsened the nation’s starvation disaster, Duterte remained vastly fashionable domestically.
Supporters anticipate Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio to proceed Duterte’s insurance policies on infrastructure and his controversial “war on drugs.”
CNN’s Mayumi Maruyama and Alice Barnard contributed.
