Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Aside from supporters of other candidates, and voters who remain undecided, Sen. Bongbong Marcos now faces another challenge to his vice presidential bid, an open campaign to discredit him, with stories of torture, killings and massive corruption during his father’s rule.
Hundreds of people — including martial law victims, activists, and former senators — gathered at the U.P. Bahay ng Alumni to push for the Campaign Against the Return of Marcoses to Malacañang (CARRMA) on Monday (February 22).
The group opposes the vice presidential bid of Sen. Marcos, and plans to curtail the support he has been gaining by propagating stories of atrocities committed during the strongman rule of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Not easily forgotten
It’s been decades since martial law was lifted and the toppling of Marcos regime, but the horrors of that period remain clear to many victims.
“Pagka ayaw nila ang sagot ko sa kanilang tanong, iniikot yan at ang kuryente ay pumapasok sa aking katawan,” said Trining Herrera, a torture victim during martial law.
Former Congressman Satur Ocampo was a journalist and a rebel during that era, and was arrested, tortured, and imprisoned for nine years until he finally escaped.
Ocampo joined the launching of the campaign to stop the younger Marcos from winning the vice presidential race.
“Given the realities of Philippine politics and given the reality of the enormous financial resources he (Sen. Bongbong Marcos) has, he can continue to build up his personality and ambition unless this popular movement would become stronger,” said Ocampo.
Vice presidential front runner
Recent surveys show Marcos neck and neck with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in the top spot in the race for the second highest position in the country.
Marcos is also said to be gaining ground among the youth, which comprises about 56 percent of the voting population.
Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. and former Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel were also victims of martial law, and raised concerns over Marcos’ vice presidential bid, especially since the senator has continued to deny that there were abuses during his father’s term.
“The evidence is there,” said Guingona. “If we do not want to honor the wrong things that were done against human persons, against property, political standing of the nation, it will not be good.”
“If he wins? Heaven forbid. I think among other things the search for the hidden Marcos wealth will stop,” said Pimentel.
Expecting criticism
But Marcos says these criticisms are expected because he is a candidate.
“I respect his (Pimentel’s) opinion,” said the vice presidential candidate. “I have great respect for the former senator, and as with everybody else they have their opinion and he has expressed it.”
Marcos also brushed aside issues on his family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth, saying that matter is now before the court.
“Those days are all in court. I don’t know what else we can do,” said Marcos. “They are in court, many have been decided. We follow what the courts order, this was started 30 years ago. Many have been resolved already, some have not. We just continue with our work.”
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