Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President-elect Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., said their family is "very, very, very grateful" for the second chance given by Filipinos, claiming that their family has been on the receiving end of criticisms ever since.
"Yes we’re very, very grateful for a second chance as it were, dahil medyo mabigat ang pinagdaanan ng aming pamilya. Talagang matapos ‘yong 1986 kung ano-anong kaso ang hinarap namin bukod pa do’n sa pangungutya at pang-aapi. Sabihin na natin, eh medyo hirap talaga ‘yong pamilya namin for the past almost four decades," she told reporters at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
[Yes we’re very, very grateful for a second chance as it were because our family went through tough times. After 1986, our family faced different cases aside from oppression and mockery. Let's just say, it was a tough time for our family in the past almost four-decade.]
On Wednesday, the Congress, which sits as the National Board of Canvassers, officially proclaimed Marcos Jr. as the next President of the Philippines — making him the second Marcos to be elected in the highest position in the country following his father, late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1965.
"So nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng nagtiwala sa amin, mula sa mga loyalista, mga Ilokano, lahat ng naniniwala na kinakailangan ng ating bansa ay talagang matibay na pamumuno," the eldest Marcos continued.
[So I am grateful to those who believed us, from the Marcos loyalists, Ilocanos, and everyone who supported and believed that the country needs a strong leader.]
Legacy of the late strongman
With the win of Marcos Jr., the senator hopes that the name of their late ousted father will also be "clarified."
"The return to Malacañang, galing na kami doon eh, kung tutuusin hindi masyadong mahalaga ‘yung pagbabalik sa Palasyo [in fact the return to Palace is not that important]," Imee said.
"What’s most important to us is, of course, our name, the family name that has become so controversial, and so difficult at times to bear. The legacy of my father is what we hope will be clarified at last," she continued.
The two-decade-long administration of the late Marcos was hounded with corruption and human rights abuses.
He was ousted during the 1986 People Power Revolution.
