PREPARATIONS are underway in Honolulu for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., or Bongbong as he is known.
After
the reported landslide victory, the Congress of the Philippines affirmed the
election results last week. He is set to take office on June 30.
“BBM,
Bongbong Marcos” is what a crowd chanted at a recent victory party on Oʻahu. Blaisdell Park drew
more than 100 pro-Marcos supporters, many originally from Ilocos Norte — where
the Marcos family hails.
The
province is fiercely loyal to the deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and
supports the transfer of power to his son.
Ernie Abara is with the Worldwide Alliance of Leaders, the group that
organized the Memorial Day weekend rally. He says people should give Marcos Jr.
an opportunity to prove himself.
Although opponents fear the Marcos-Duterte ticket will seek to rewrite
history and protect current president Rodrigo Duterte from facing allegations
of human rights violations for his war on drugs. President Duterte is the
father of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
"We are here to celebrate the victorious moment of our leader, the
great son of our former president and hero," Abara told HPR. "Even
though we are in Hawaiʻi, we are still a part of the team."
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiard also stopped by the
midday gathering, as did Donn Ariyoshi, the son of former Gov. George Ariyoshi
who was in office and welcomed the exiled president when the Marcos family fled
to Hawaiʻi from the Philippines. Also in
attendance was Sherry Menor-McNamara, a candidate for lieutenant governor. (Catherine Cruz / Hawaii
Public Radio)
