Former Sen. Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. (Photo from a livestream video by Pandesal Forum)
MANILA, Philippines — Student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and other youth groups in the University of the Philippines Manila have banded together to oppose the presidential bid of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections, even as Marcos has yet to announce his decision to run for the post.
In a unity statement on Saturday, 31 youth groups in UP Manila said Marcos “has no significant achievements on his own” and has banked on the “so-called accomplishments” of his father to support his political career.
“We acknowledge the sacrifices of past student leaders and the masses to bring back these institutions that eventually paved the way for the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship. We will learn from history and vow that we will oppose the Marcos family’s return to power at every step of the way,” read their statement.
The youth groups slammed Marcos’ “desperate attempts” to clinch a position in the national government.
They noted how Marcos could still vie for another leadership post despite losing in the vice presidential race in 2016 and losing again to Vice President Leni Robredo when he challenged the results in the Supreme Court.
“The power-hungry Marcos family will always jump at any opportunity to reclaim authority,” the groups said.
Among the signatories in the unity statement were the UP Manila University Student Council, UP Manila Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority, League of Filipino Students-UP Manila, and Kabataan party list-UP Manila.
On Sept. 24, Marcos was nominated as the presidential standard-bearer of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, a party founded by his father, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
The younger Marcos has yet to formally accept the nomination.