Decades in the making: How did the Marcoses return to power in the Philippines?

Photo credit: Independent

The Marcos family’s return to power in the Philippines, from the era of Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to the presidency of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in 2022 was a complex process spanning several decades.

Post-Martial Law

After Martial Law from 1972 to 1981, and the subsequent authoritarian rule culminating in the 1986 People Power movement, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was ousted. The Marcos family was exiled in Hawaii, where Marcos Sr. died in 1989. 

In 1992, the Marcos family was allowed to return to the Philippines to face charges. This return to the country also gave them the chance to rebuild their political influence. During that same year, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, the dictator’s only son, began holding various local and national political offices, beginning with the governorship of Ilocos Sur, followed by a stint as senator in 2010.

The Disinformation Machinery

In 2016, Bongbong Marcos tried for the vice presidency, albeit unsuccessfully. During this period, the Marcoses engaged in a long-term campaign to rehabilitate their political legacy, using social media and other platforms to revise the narrative around their dark martial law era.

Disinformation played a significant role in the Marcos family's political comeback, particularly in reshaping public perception of their legacy and undermining opposition narratives.

The Marcoses launched a sustained rebranding and revisionist campaign after returning to the Philippines in the early 1990s. This campaign amplified disinformation through social media, comic books, videos, and press events that mythologized Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s regime as a period of peace and prosperity, while obscuring or denying the documented violence, corruption, and abuses of Martial Law. The narrative portrayed the Marcos family as victims betrayed by opposition forces, particularly the Aquino family and their supporters.

Social media was instrumental in spreading this disinformation. Platforms like Facebook became key venues for pro-Marcos content that included deceptive claims, conspiracy theories, and heroic portrayals that resonated with younger voters unfamiliar with the historic realities. The campaign also actively discredited rivals like Leni Robredo in the 2022 presidential election through coordinated online efforts. This online environment polarized the electorate and facilitated the Marcos family's rehabilitation and eventual electoral success.

The disinformation campaign reduced complex political history to a simplified familial feud, with emotive storytelling tactics common in telenovelas—casting the Marcos family as the ‘underdog heroes’ and the Aquinos as antagonists. This strategic use of disinformation and historical revisionism was a cornerstone of Bongbong Marcos's 2022 victory, leveraging nostalgia, emotional appeal, and sustained misinformation to restore the family's power.

The Marcos-Duterte Connection

Their alliance with another political family, the Dutertes, bolstered their influence. In the last presidential elections in 2022, Bongbong Marcos partnered politically with Sara Duterte, daughter of then-President Rodrigo Duterte, which significantly strengthened his support base.

Marcos Jr's presidential win in 2022, with a controversial landslide victory over his closest rival Leni Robredo, who symbolized opposition to the Marcos legacy, marked the culmination of this decades-long resurgence. This comeback was driven by a combination of strategic political positioning, extensive resources, historical revisionism, and forming alliances with powerful political clans.

Thus, the return of the Marcos family to power was a gradual, deliberate political rehabilitation after their ouster post-Martial law, leveraging democratic processes to reclaim the presidency democratically in 2022.

The Marcos ‘Legacy’

The Marcos ‘legacy’ is not something to be proud of as a nation.

From the elder Marcos’ record for ‘Greatest Robbery of a Country’, to Bongbong Marcos’ current administration facing corruption allegations amid investigations of the controversial flood control programs— their legacy is deeply marked by disinformation and corruption, which have become defining features of both the elder Marcos regime and the ongoing political climate shaped by his descendants.

The original Marcos administration, infamously known globally for its declaration of Martial Law, was notorious for its authoritarian rule, suppression of dissent, and widespread misuse of public funds, resulting in a long-lasting stain on the nation’s democratic institutions. Disinformation campaigns were systematically used to manipulate public perception and hide the true extent of the regime’s abuses, a tactic that has persisted into the present era.

There is little substantive difference between the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and that of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Despite claims of reform and progress, Marcos Jr.’s tenure has largely echoed the same patterns of governance characterized by power consolidation, lack of transparency, and attempts to whitewash historical abuses as seen with the multiple dismissal of corruption cases against their family spanning decades.

The continuity extends beyond policies to include the political rhetoric and strategic manipulation of history to sustain legitimacy and silence opposition, effectively perpetuating the same mechanisms that allowed corruption and disinformation to flourish during his father’s rule.

Moreover, the administrations of Marcos Jr. and Rodrigo Duterte share striking similarities in their approaches to governance, particularly in their aggressive use of disinformation, authoritarian tactics, and impunity in the face of legal and moral scrutiny. Both have been marked by a disregard for democratic norms, suppression of dissent, and a focus on personal and political consolidation rather than genuine public service. This overlap points to a broader trend in Philippine politics where entrenched political families and authoritarian practices continue to undermine democratic institutions and national development.

The September 21 Protests vs Corruption

Amid corruption scandals, human rights violations, and massive poverty among other national issues, Filipinos from across the world have had enough.

Filipinos took to the streets on September 21 in a nationwide protest against the pervasive corruption under the Marcos Jr. administration. This date is highly symbolic, as it marks the anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos Sr., a period synonymous with repression, abuse, and graft. 

The protests in Luneta in Manila and the People Power Monument along EDSA represent a collective awakening among citizens who are tired of the unchecked corruption that continues to plague the country, eroding trust in the government, diverting public resources, and deepening social inequalities. From urban centers to rural communities, Filipinos from all walks of life are uniting in the call for accountability, transparency, and genuine reform.

The protests were coordinated by a broad coalition of civil society organizations, student groups, labor unions, and human rights advocates. Key groups involved in the Luneta protest include youth-led activist organizations such as Anakbayan and national democratic alliances like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, along with several hiphop groups, K-pop and P-pop stans, motorcycle and truck drivers, and more. All of them, call for systemic change.

The EDSA protest, a church-led mobilization alongside groups such as Tindig Pilipinas, are also calling for change. This multi-sectoral alliance underscores the widespread recognition that corruption undermines not only economic progress but also fundamental rights and democratic freedoms. Together, these groups mobilized through social media campaigns, community assemblies, and peaceful marches to amplify their voices and demand action from the Marcos Jr. government.

Protests offer an important opportunity for everyone who values justice and good governance to show solidarity. Attending the rallies or supporting them remotely by sharing information, participating in online forums, or engaging in peaceful advocacy can make a significant impact. 

Collective action has historically been a powerful force in Philippine society, and this moment is no different. Whether joining in person or standing in support from afar, Filipinos everywhere are encouraged to unite in demanding an end to corruption and a future rooted in transparency and integrity. The call to action is clear: it is time to rise together for the nation’s dignity and democracy.