Marcos Jr. Election Lead Raises the Stakes for Democracy in the Philippines

“Unity is an appealing message because it is not antagonistic. Many view the opposition’s calls for [government] accountability as political bickering that does little to uplift the lives of many Filipinos,” Curato said.

“His message is simple: Division is what stands in the way for us to achieve our dreams. His message does not discuss the root of the problems which cause hurt and anger. It is, in many ways, a toxic form of positivity,” she added.

Who is supporting Marcos Jr?

A breakdown by age demographic of Pulse Asia's February results shows that 63 percent of millennials, or those roughly between the ages of 25-34, want Marcos Jr. to be the next president.

Majie Cabatian, a 26-year-old homemaker with two children, supports Marcos Jr.

Cabatian is too young to remember the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship but insists that the infrastructure and highways around the country that still bear his name are testament to a legacy of progress.

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“That’s proof of all the good things he did for the country. We’re still benefiting from all that. What have the other presidents done?” she told DW.

She added that the roads she attributes to the Marcos era have given her husband a job. “My husband is a truck driver. More roads mean more jobs for him. Bong-Bong will be good for the country, just as his father was,” she said.

Photographer Niccolo Cosme, on the other hand, is determined to do everything he can to prevent Marcos Jr. from coming into power.

Cosme is pouring his time and talent into being a volunteer for the Robredo campaign. “I have done photoshoots and social media campaigns for Robredo 2022 and I do not expect to be paid a single cent for it,” he said.

Cosme told DW that his zeal comes from a place of deep regret. “I voted for Duterte in the last election. I campaigned for him and convinced friends to vote for him. I was blinded by his promise of change,” he said.

He said his initial enthusiasm turned into horrified disillusionment at the changes Duterte brought to the Philippines after six years in office.

“All those people killed in the drug war. How he surrendered the West Philippine Sea to China. It’s just too much. I feel responsible for that because I voted for him. This is the time for me to correct my past mistakes.”

With barely two months until the elections, Cosme still holds out hope that Robredo will take the lead from Marcos, Jr. “She has to win. She simply has to,” he said.