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2022/05/16 | The Interpreter

What a Marcos Jr Presidency in the Philippines Means for Geopolitics

The Philippines might be Asia’s oldest democracy, but the continued appetite for strongman rule demonstrates a deep ambivalence about liberal democracy’s promises of political equality and rule of law and the likely continuation of the public’s acceptance of the autocratic practices that characterized Duterte’s presidency.

2022/04/26 | Voice of America

Philippines Presidential Election a Rematch Between Late Dictator’s Son, Democratic Leader

Marcos’s popularity is based on the nostalgia of alleged prosperity and the “golden age” of Filipino society during his father’s dictatorship in the 1980s. Political observers and disinformation researchers say his campaign is buoyed by a massive disinformation and propaganda network.

2022/01/06 | Voice of America

Martial Law Victims in the Philippines Challenge Marcos’ Presidential Bid

Cases against Marcos filed on behalf of the victims are piling up at the Commission on Elections. The petitions ask the body to either cancel Marcos’ certificate of candidacy or to disqualify him due to a criminal conviction in 1997 over his failure to file income tax returns decades ago.

2017/09/28 | Michael Beltran

5 Signs the Philippines is Drifting Toward Dictatorship

Filipinos are accustomed to chaotic periods in politics, but the killings of several young boys by police brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets. As tension between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and the public escalates, the threat of martial law and a repeat of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos is all too real.

2016/09/21 | Michael Beltran

Martial Law in the Philippines: An Enduring Horror Story

Decades have passed since Ferdinand Marcos' Martial Law, but the much of the Philippines still lives in terror.