The son of late Filipino dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, claimed victory in the country’s presidential election on Wednesday, 36 years after his family was chased out of the country.
His family was chased in a popular uprising against endemic corruption and massive human rights abuses.
With 98 per cent of votes tallied in an unofficial count, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr “will be the 17th president of the Philippines,” his spokesman Victor Rodriquez, said in a statement.
“In historic numbers, the people have used their democratic vote to unite our nation.
“This is a victory for all Filipinos and for democracy.
“To those who voted for Bongbong and those who did not, it is his promise to be a president for all Filipinos,” Rodriquez added
Marcos Jr leads with more than 16 million votes over his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, who narrowly beat him in the race to become the country’s vice-president in 2016.
