Tracking Marcos Jr.’s encounters with the media

CHEERS TO Rappler for following up on the recent media engagements of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and calling attention to his positions on certain issues, the attempts of his campaign managers to clarify whatever he said; and raising questions about some programs the candidate said he would pursue should he win. 

Rappler’s Lian Buan on January 30 recounted statements that Marcos Jr. made in interviews with ALC Media Group and One PH on January 24, talk show host Boy Abunda on January 25, and dzRH on January 26.

Buan recorded Marcos Jr.’s continuing push for the revival of programs initiated during his father’s dictatorship. The article also pointed out how his positions on SALN and on abortion had to be clarified by statements issued by his team. Buan flagged the candidate’s uninformed assessment of the economy’s  debt-to-GDP ratio, as well. 

Among the issues discussed in the report: 

On labor export, Marcos Jr. argued for a training program for overseas Filipino workers with a focus on the international labor market. Buan later raised objections from different sectors that claimed this position on labor export takes the responsibility of job creation away from the government.

With Marcos advocating a return of the Marcos-era Kadiwa stores, the report pointed to a Vera Files fact-check on the project’s supposed success, citing studies which said “reception to Kadiwa by Manila’s poor was not as enthusiastic as now recalled.” 

Marcos Jr. also pushed for the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). Buan recalled the June 2021 awarding of P1 billion in damages to the Philippine government over the fraudulent awarding of the BNPP to Westinghouse Electrical Corporation – a deal brokered by a crony of Marcos Sr.

The report then recalled how Marcos Jr. had argued against publicizing Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) during the morning interview with ALC media; then noted that during the evening interview with One PH, Marcos Jr. backpedaled, saying he would be willing to share his own SALN. Rappler provided context; pointing out that Marcos Jr. has not been in government in the last six years and has not had to submit a SALN. 

Next was the candidate’s views on abortion, as told to Boy Abunda. Marcos Jr. said that in cases of rape or incest, abortion must be an available choice for women. After the interview with Abunda, however, a press release from the Marcos media team issued clarified that he would only allow abortion “where it is justified,” but that he remains firm in his pro-life stance.  

The report then drew focus on Marcos Jr’s comments on the economy, particularly his assessment of the Philippines’ debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio as “relatively good.” The report noted how Marcos did not seem to consider that the country had already exceeded the conventional threshold, and that the situation was already cause for concern for some economists, such as Michael Ricafort of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and Vice President Leni Robredo herself. 

Buan further cited think tank IBON Foundation and its evaluation of the economic platforms of six presidentiables. The summary for Marcos Jr’s platform was blank. “Marcos has not published a detailed and readily available roadmap of his economic plans,” Buan duly noted.

Media should persist in subjecting all presidential candidates to scrutiny; including Marcos who has been dodging media encounters and giving all kinds of excuses for doing so. The article has revealed why Marcos is uncomfortable and evasive. He is not prepared to be placed in any spotlight that can expose his lack of qualification.