Allies of Marcos Jr. set to dominate Philippine Congress
Allies of the Philippines' presumptive next president, Marcos Jr., appear set to strongly dominate both chambers of Congress, further alarming activists after the late dictator's son scored an apparent election victory that will restore his family to the seat of power. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (Aaron Favila)MANILA, Philippines — (AP) — Allies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the presumptive next president of the Philippines, appear set to dominate both chambers of Congress, further alarming activists after the late dictator son's apparent election victory restored his family to the seat of power. Marcos Jr. had more than 31 million votes in the unofficial count in what’s projected to be one of the strongest majority mandates for a Philippine president in decades. Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos Jr., has been endorsed as House speaker by his party. Another possible candidate is Romualdez’s ally and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who brokered the alliance of Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.
wftv.comAllies of Marcos Jr. set to dominate Philippine Congress
Allies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the presumptive next president of the Philippines, appear set to dominate both chambers of Congress, alarming activists after the late dictator son's apparent election victory restored his family to the seat of power.
Dictator's son far ahead in Philippine presidential vote
Philippines Elections Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, votes at a polling center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, northern Philippines on Monday, May 9, 2022. With more than 77% 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. 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. The vice presidential race that year was won narrowly by Robredo over Marcos Jr., and the outcome was slower to become known.
wftv.comDictator's son far ahead in Philippine presidential vote
Philippines Elections Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator, votes at a polling center in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, northern Philippines on Monday, May 9, 2022. With more than 70% of the votes tabulated, Marcos Jr. had more than 23.5 million, far ahead of his closest challenger, current Vice President Leni Robredo, a champion of human rights, who had 11.1 million. 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 president and vice president are elected separately in the Philippines. The vice presidential race that year was won narrowly by Robredo over Marcos Jr., and the outcome was slower to become known.
wftv.comPhilippine vote: Volunteers back reformer vs dictator’s son
One supporter wrote a stirring campaign song that has been played nearly 4 million times on Spotify. Other volunteers are barnstorming Philippine villages, going door-to-door to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo in next week’s presidential election. The stakes are high: If Robredo’s opponent, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., clinches the presidency, as surveys suggest, it will mark a stunning reversal for a nation where millions poured out in 1986 to force out of the country a dictator and Marcos’s father, whose legacy continues to shadow his son.
news.yahoo.comHow Another Marcos Could Win Power in the Philippines
Millions of people took to the streets in the Philippines to force President Ferdinand Marcos from office in 1986 after a two decade reign in which thousands were killed under martial law, the economy contracted and government coffers were plundered -- infamously symbolized by his wife Imelda’s extravagant shoe collection. Lately, however, the family has seen a resurgence in popularity, much of it driven by social media. Scion Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been the front-runner to succeed
washingtonpost.com50 years apart: Philippine activist fights dictator then son
Memories of the “People Power” revolt by millions of Filipinos who helped overthrow Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos are bittersweet for Loretta Rosales, who opposed him as an activist and was arrested and tortured by his forces before his downfall.
Duterte's daughter to run for VP, ally to seek presidency
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter has registered her candidacy for vice president in next year’s elections and was chosen as the running mate of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the late dictator's son, in an alliance that has alarmed activists.
Afghan Hazaras live in fear under Taliban rule
A black and white Taliban flag flies over the blown-up statue of a revered Hazara chief at the entrance to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. Since the radical Islamists swept to power seven weeks ago, they have repeatedly promised a more moderate, inclusive brand of rule than during their last stint, when minorities were brutally persecuted. But members of the Hazara community here don't believe them.
news.yahoo.comManila mayor, ex-scavenger and actor, to seek presidency
The popular mayor of the Philippine capital said Wednesday he will run for president in next year’s elections, the latest aspirant in what is expected to be a crowded race to succeed controversial leader Rodrigo Duterte. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, a child scavenger before becoming an actor then entering politics, told The Associated Press that he would fight still-raging coronavirus outbreaks and long-entrenched poverty and promote democracy if he triumphs in the May 9 elections. While the 46-year-old mayor is expected to bank on his rags-to-power life story, movie star looks and widely praised projects in Manila, including cleaning up its filthy main roads and restoring order in its chaotic streets and public markets, Moreno will be up against formidable national politicians and celebrities.
news.yahoo.comAquino, Philippine ex-leader who challenged China, is buried
Philippines Obit Aquino Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo, left, talks to actress Kris Aquino, sister of former President Benigno Aquino III during a public viewing at the Church of Gesu of Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City in Quezon City, Philippines Friday June 25, 2021. Aquino, the son of pro-democracy icons who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos and had troublesome ties with China, died Thursday, a cousin and public officials said. Family and friends sang a patriotic song after a silver urn with Aquino's remains was placed beside the tomb of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. Aquino, whose family spent years in U.S. exile during Marcos’s rule, had turbulent ties with China as president. In 2016, Duterte allowed the burial of Marcos in a secrecy-shrouded ceremony with military honors in the Heroes’ Cemetery despite protests from pro-democracy activists.
wftv.comAsia Today: Duterte extends virus calamity status by a year
Duterte first placed the country under a state of calamity in March when the number of confirmed infections was approaching 200 with about a dozen deaths. The country now has more than 291,700 confirmed cases, the highest in Southeast Asia, with more than 5,000 deaths. India announced more than 75,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday along with 1,053 more deaths, taking total fatalities to 88,935. — South Korea has added 61 coronavirus cases, its lowest daily increase since mid-August amid a downward trend in new infections. Executive power in South Korea is concentrated in the president.