Bongbong sees no reason to apologize over father’s offenses

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the only son of the former President Ferdinand Marcos, does not see any reason for his family to apologize over wrongdoings during his father’s two decades in power.

“Kung meron akong sinaktan (If I hurt someone), I will always say sorry, but what have I been guilty of to apologize about?” he said during an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

“We have constantly said, if during that time of my father, someone was hit or hurt or saying that he/she was not helped or they were victimized in some way or another… we’re sorry that that happened. Nobody wants that to have happened,” he said.

“But will I say sorry for the thousands and thousands of kilometers that were built (during my father’s time)? Will I say sorry for the agricultural policy that brought us to self-sufficiency in rice? Will I say sorry for the power generation? Will I say sorry for the highest literacy rate in Asia? What (am I) to say sorry about?”

Marcos expressed belief that history is starting to judge his father’s administration, which he thinks is far better than the present one. 

He thinks of the “general sentiments” from the people, which is why he is mulling to run for higher office in 2016, the senator said.

“I think the political history in recent years and the constant refrain (from the people) were it’s better during Marcos’ time as life was easier, the government was helping us with its many programs and projects,” Marcos said in Filipino, quoting people he had met.

“Since Marcos was replaced, we have never seen the likes of that again. We hope it will return. That’s the general sentiment,” he said.

The dictatorship was marred with human rights abuses, which culminated in the EDSA People Power uprising in 1986 that catapulted incumbent President Aquino’s mother, Corazon Aquino, into the presidency. – With Perseus Echeminada