Bongbong: ‘I’m thankful I’m a Marcos’
Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is running for vice president next year, said he is thankful to be part of his family and that he never considered belonging to his clan a burden despite past controversies involving his family.
“I felt it to be an advantage, a blessing and I’m very thankful that I am a Marcos,” he said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
“I am very happy that I was born into the Marcos family. I never felt it to be a burden,” he added.
Because of his family name, Marcos said he enjoyed the support of the many which was an advantage.
“Ang bait ng taumbayan sakin (The people have shown me kindness)…I grew up into a privileged childhood because I’m a Marcos. I was able to go to the best schools because I’m a Marcos. Now that I’m in politics I’m enjoying the support of many people because I’m a Marcos. It’s all clear to me, it’s a lucky thing for me to have been born a Marcos,” he said.
Marcos considers that being a part of his clan is “the greatest blessing.”
“I still consider myself the luckiest person and being a Marcos is part of that…I congratulate myself for picking the right parents,” he said in jest.
READ: Bongbong Marcos is right: Why should he say ‘Sorry?’
Marcos was elected in the Senate in 2010.
His father and namesake, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, had been accused of supervising numerous human rights abuses and plundering billions of pesos during his time as President until he was unseated in 1986.
Marcos announced his vice presidential bid on Monday, a few hours after the administration introduced Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo as its candidate for the same post.
READ: Bongbong Marcos joins VP derby
The younger Marcos said he would leave it to historical scholars about the accusations against his family.
“What happened in 1986 happened already. These things have been decided. To analyze it belongs to historical scholars. But I am not a historical analyst. I am a public servant. All I look at is what people want from their public servants,” he said.
READ: Bongbong ‘apologizes’ to victims of Marcos regime
Marcos, who sought the advice of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for his candidacy, is without a running-mate.
He, however, said he wouldn’t run for higher office if he didn’t have chances of winning. But if in case Duterte changes his mind, he will support the Davao City mayor.
READ: Bongbong Marcos: Duterte promised to support me
Marcos is one of the five who have declared their intention to run for vice president next year. The others are Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Robredo. IDL
