How a former child actor and exile became the 17th president of the Philippines.

Nature · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Bongbong Marcos, son of a dictator, rose from a childhood in the spotlight to the presidency in 2022. His path involved exile in Hawaii, a controversial return to his family's political stronghold, and a landslide victory that marked the largest electoral success in the nation since his father's 1981 win.

Born in 1957, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. was thrust into the public eye early, even starring in a 1965 biopic that bolstered his father's presidential campaign. By his twenties, he held formal political power as vice governor and later governor of Ilocos Norte, his family's traditional fiefdom. His early career was defined by the Marcos administration's martial law era, during which he was appointed chairman of the Philippine Communications Satellite Corporation. This role allowed him to draw a substantial monthly salary, despite rarely visiting the office or performing duties, in a period later identified as an example of crony capitalism.

Following the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Marcos family fled to Hawaii. During this exile, Bongbong Marcos was involved in attempts to access secret family bank accounts, leading to investigations into the family's wealth. He became the first family member to return to the Philippines in 1991, following permission from President Corazon Aquino. He quickly resumed his political career, serving as a representative and governor before his 2022 presidential run. His campaign, which avoided debates, was criticized by scholars for utilizing historical negationism to rehabilitate the family brand while smearing political rivals.

Since taking office in 2022, Marcos has navigated complex domestic and international waters. He initially served as Secretary of Agriculture and launched the 'Build Better More' infrastructure program. His foreign policy marks a shift from his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, as he has moved to reestablish closer ties with the United States amidst territorial tensions in the West Philippine Sea. While he maintains a firm stance on Philippine jurisdiction, his administration has faced significant challenges, including a 2025 budget controversy, the impeachment of his vice president, and a massive corruption scandal. His tenure remains a focal point of intense scrutiny regarding the legacy of his family's past and the future of Philippine governance.

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