MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has once again paid tribute to his late father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., recalling the lessons and principles he said continue to influence him in public service.
The President has repeatedly spoken about his father’s influence, describing his wisdom as a source of guidance as he carries out the responsibilities of leading the country.
In earlier remarks marking his father’s birth anniversary, Marcos Jr. said his father remained a guiding force and a steady voice of reason, emphasizing the principles he believed should help move the Philippines forward.
The younger Marcos has also previously reflected on how his father’s example continues to shape his decisions in government. In a 2025 tribute, he again highlighted the importance of his father’s legacy of public service. The Presidential Communications Office reported that the President honored Marcos Sr.’s legacy during commemorations in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
Marcos Sr., who served as Philippine president from 1965 until his government was removed during the 1986 People Power Revolution, remains one of the country’s most consequential and controversial political figures. His administration is remembered both for major government and infrastructure programs and for the declaration of martial law, which was accompanied by widespread reports of human-rights abuses and political repression.
That complicated historical record makes the younger Marcos’ repeated references to his father’s legacy particularly significant. Supporters of the Marcos family continue to emphasize the former president’s development programs and leadership, while critics point to the abuses and controversies associated with his rule.
For Marcos Jr., however, his public tributes have centered on the personal lessons he says he inherited from his father — particularly discipline, leadership and a commitment to public service.
The President’s comments also underline how deeply the Marcos family legacy remains intertwined with Philippine politics. More than three decades after Marcos Sr. was forced from power, his son returned the family name to Malacañang after winning the 2022 presidential election.
As Marcos Jr. continues his presidency, his references to his father serve not only as personal reflections but also as reminders of the political history surrounding one of the Philippines’ most prominent families.
The question now is how that legacy will ultimately be judged — not simply by the Marcos family’s supporters or critics, but by the results and historical record of the current administration itself.
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