The Philippines and the Marcos family: history repeats itself

There are countries that over the course of their history have been, or still are, governed by family dynasties and clans. The Bhutto dynasty in Pakistan or the Assad regime in Syria would be two examples. Another is the Philippines, where the outstandingly cruel dictatorship under the regime of Ferdinand Marcus and his wife Imelda Marcos lasted from 1965 up until 1986. Their "conjugal dictatorship" ransacked the country and built up a fortune of 10 billion dollars. Martial law was imposed between 1972 and 1981, overriding the Constitution which had previously been in place, brutally silencing the press and persecuting political opponents. Some 3,257 dissidents and activists were murdered and more than 50,000 were tortured.

In 1986, Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown by the EDSA Revolution (also known as the People Power Revolution). In their rush to flee the country, the couple left behind a vast amount of jewellery at the Malacañang presidential palace, and a collection of more than 3,000 shoes. Exiled in Hawaii, Ferdinand Marcos died three years later.

But Imelda Marcos, known as the "Iron Butterfly", returned to the Philippines in 1991 together with her son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, to continue the family saga. The latter, colloquially known as Bongbong Marcos, won the election in June 2022, claiming the presidency with an overwhelming result (59% of the votes). He remains president to this day. His vice-president is Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of the controversial former president Rodrigo Duterte. Two family clans united, as history continues to repeat itself.

Film:Taxibol