Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos has voted in the May 9 elections, hoping to translate his lead in pre-election surveys into victory and return to the seat of power more than 30 years after his family was ousted by the pro-democracy People Power uprising.
Accompanied by son Sandro and sister Irene, Marcos cast his vote at Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, where he also served as governor. Sandro is also running for congressman of the province's first district.
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Carrying the banner of "unity" in his campaign, Marcos has consistently led opinion polls of various survey firms along with his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
He also evaded tough questions and interviews from several media organizations on his father's dictatorship and other issues involving himself.
"It’s clear that this campaign for him is really meant to restore the pride in the Marcos name," University of Sto. Tomas political science professor Dennis Coronacion told reportr.
"It’s his chance to spell his father’s legacy because even with the ill-gotten wealth and the human rights violations, there are still Filipinos who view his father’s legacy as good," he added.
Coronacion believes that a Marcos presidency would most likely be a continuity of the administration of his predecessor, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, only "with an effort to restore the good image of the Marcoses and show that his father was a good president."
"Marcos would be an effective leader if he becomes a majority president in the sense that it legitimizes his presidency if it is clearly shown that he has the support of most people," he added.
Marcos' archrival, Vice President Leni Robredo, has yet to vote in the elections, but is banking on the thousands of people attending her campaign rallies to beat the son of the late dictator once again.
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