Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., commonly known as Bongbong Marcos, secured the presidency of the Philippines in 2022 by capturing nearly 59 percent of the national vote. His electoral victory marked the largest margin of support since 1981, enabling his return to the Malacañang Palace decades after his family was driven into exile during the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Early Political Career and Exile
Born in 1957 in San Juan, Marcos entered public life in 1980 by running unopposed for vice governor of Ilocos Norte. He advanced to the governorship in 1983, serving until his family fled to Hawaii in February 1986 following the collapse of his father's administration. He returned to the Philippines in 1991, four years after his father died in exile, to navigate legal challenges against the estate.
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Marcos served as representative of Ilocos Norte’s second district from 1992 to 1995 and again between 2007 and 2010. He returned to the governorship in 1998 and later joined the Philippine Senate for a single term ending in 2016. That year, he campaigned for the vice presidency but lost to Leni Robredo, a result he challenged unsuccessfully at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal until the protest was dismissed in 2021.
Presidency and Domestic Policy
Following his 2022 inauguration, Marcos held the Secretary of Agriculture portfolio for 16 months. He rebranded previous infrastructure initiatives as "Build Better More" and implemented policies including a 2024 ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators. His administration faced significant internal instability by 2025, characterized by a cabinet rift with Vice President Sara Duterte, an impeachment effort, and investigations into massive infrastructure corruption scandals.
Foreign Policy Stance
The Marcos presidency initiated a pivot in foreign affairs, moving away from the China-leaning strategy of his predecessor. He focused on strengthening security ties with the United States. In the context of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, he maintained a public commitment to upholding Philippine jurisdiction, specifically stating in 2023 that the country would not surrender its territorial claims.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, San Juan
- President of the Philippines: 2022–present
- Secretary of Agriculture: 2022–2023
- Governor of Ilocos Norte: 1998–2007
- Senator of the Philippines: 2010–2016
- Education: Worth School, St Edmund Hall, Wharton School
- Languages: Tagalog, Ilocano, Philippine English
- Religion: Catholicism
Questions readers ask
Did Bongbong Marcos graduate from Oxford?
No, while he attended St Edmund Hall, Oxford, to study philosophy, politics, and economics, he did not complete the degree and was awarded a special diploma in social studies instead.
What is the status of the legal issues regarding his family in the United States?
Marcos and his mother face potential arrest in the U.S. for failing to pay restitution to human rights abuse victims. As head of state, he currently holds diplomatic immunity from these proceedings.
Achievements
- Educated at Worth School, La Salle Green Hills and St Edmund Hall
- Worked as politician and merchant
