Posted on 05/09/2022 1:18:36 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The son and namesake of ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos took a commanding lead in an unofficial vote count in Monday's presidential election in the deeply divided Asian democracy.
With more than 77 percent of the votes tabulated, Marcos Jr. had 25 million, far ahead of his closest challenger, current Vice President Leni Robredo, a champion of human rights, who had 11.9 million.
The election winner will take office on June 30 for a single, six-year term as leader of a Southeast Asian nation hit hard by two years of COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns.
Still more challenging problems include deeper poverty and unemployment and decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies. The next president is also likely to hear demands to prosecute outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte for thousands of killings during his anti-drug crackdown — deaths already under investigation by the International Criminal Court.
Duterte's daughter, southern Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte, is Marcos Jr.'s vice presidential running mate in an alliance of the scions of two authoritarian leaders who concern human rights groups. The tie-up has combined the voting power of their separate northern and southern political strongholds, boosting their chances but compounding worries of human rights activists.
Sara Duterte also had a formidable lead with 24.9 million votes for vice president in the unofficial count from the Commission on Elections server. The president and vice president are elected separately in the Philippines.
"History may repeat itself if they win," said Myles Sanchez, a 42-year-old human rights worker. "There may be a repeat of martial law and the drug killings that happened under their parents."
In a late-night video statement, Marcos Jr. did not claim victory but thanked his supporters for accompanying him on "this sometimes very difficult journey" and urged them to keep up their guard
(Excerpt) Read more at pbs.org ...
“Would Ferdinand Marcos Jr be good for the United States?”
In spite of Chinese encroachment on islands long claimed by the Philippines, I think Marcos will like the outgoing president play the “nationalist” card and be kinda chummy with China, to tell the U.S. it is not depending on it, but also like the outgoing president will give in too much to China just to pretend they are independent. I think it may take some years yet but I think a backlash against chumminess with China will come. Meanwhile the U.S. cannot force the issue without risking a push against it. It will have to come by the Philppines choosing and I think it will take years.
True story: I was driving with my cousin in-law and supposedly in Cubao which is like the 2nd biggest city, got pulled over for breaking some traffic law. I saw him insert 200 pesos in his drivers wallet to show the cop because they ask for license.
Afterwards, the cop says “dont do that again”, but the money’s gone. The infraction is $1000 pesos. I guess we were in the clear (sarc)
My late uncle was a high up the food chain Air Force officer stationed at Clark AFB for number of years during Vietnam. He and my Aunt attended a few dinners hosted by the Marcos.
Aunt said Imelda was shallow, vapid and wholly in love with herself.
Duarte got rid of the drug dealers in the funniest way.
I think you misspelled effective. Somebody told him about the “war on drugs” without telling him that Bush Senior was joking but didn’t know how to tell a joke.
To find allies and make common cause with two rebel movements shows a willingness for Realpolitic that can actually win wars.
His methods might not pass muster with the U.S. Supreme Court, but then again, the Philippines is no longer a U.S. possession.
Thanks for piquing my interest enough to read up on the subject.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_drug_war
“One of my relatives got “swindled” into the lockdown hotel after arrival and “forced’ to cough up an extra $5K for the hotel “
That was SOP for a while. Was the reason my gf postponed her trip until this week..
Ping
Winner!
AKA Bongbong.
one of my best buds is Fil-Am. Told me he’s heading to the RP in October but this time he’s gonna insert a folded 100 dollar bill in the passport and immigration slip to see what happens. Tells me anything and anyone can be bought there.
RE: AKA Bongbong
Yep, that’s Marcos Jr.’s nickname.
I like the way the Filipinos give themselves rhythmic sounding nicknames like, Bong, Ping, Jing Jing, Ging, Pen Pen, Len Len, etc.
They even have a nickname for Pope Francis — KIKO ( Which is the popular nickname for Francisco ). Hence, the name Papa Kiko.
😆😅😃
Ha ha.
They even have a nickname for Pope Francis — KIKO ( Which is the popular nickname for Francisco ). Hence, the name Papa Kiko.
Then there was Cardinal (Jaime) Sin
Recently found out my grandpa was on the plane that ferried Marcos Sr. into exile. He had an...interesting...life.
“One of my relatives got “swindled” into the lockdown hotel after arrival and “forced’ to cough up an extra $5K for the hotel and she cried to the guy that she paid $1500 for the trip. Customs guy got embarrassed after the scene and just let her in.”
My wife flew back to Manila last Monday.
Salt Lake to LAX via Alaska Airlines no problem. When she goes to get her boarding pass from LA to Seoul the idiots at Asiana Airlines tell her that her covid test is no good and she can’t board the plane. She’s in tears wondering what she’s going to do. I told her all she could do was either fly back to Salt Lake or get a taxi, get another test (no test site in the airport because????????) and take a later flight.
Eventually, a manager with an IQ above room temperature showed up. They told her they would let her on the plane but they didn’t think her covid test would be accepted in Manila. She gets to Manila and has no problems whatsoever (she’s a dual citizen).
My gf goes to the clinic early Wednesday morning for an RT-PCR test ($250), which is what they claim is needed. Departs Friday morning through LAX and Singapore to Davao City.
Can you tell me which exact covid test she used? If a cheaper antigen test actually is acceptable it would be great. The $250 is a hardship.
He would be an idiot. Tell him to bring his old Philippine passport and claim “balikbayan” status and they will automatically give him a 1-year visa.
Antigen test is now acceptable, as of April I think.
I returned there June last year and had to do the quarantine hotel thing. Did it at a reputable place in Makati, cost me $800.
They no longer require that.
Check your mail.
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