MANILA, Philippines (AP) – The son of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday that Filipinos are no longer concerned about human rights abuses committed under his father’s rule, angering activists who said he wants people to forget his father’s dictatorship, which a popular revolt ended 29 years ago.
Speaking to reporters two days after announcing he is seeking the vice presidency in next year’s elections, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that Filipinos these days are more concerned about their livelihood, crime and other day-to-day problems.
Retired Commission on Human Rights Chairwoman Loretta Ann Rosales, who was tortured and detained during Marcos’ martial rule, said his son, a senator, and his widow, a congresswoman, were glossing over a law passed in 2013 recognizing and compensating victims of human rights abuses during his 14-year rule.
In a wide-ranging forum following his announcement Monday that he will seek the country’s second highest office, the 58-year-old senator acknowledged that there have been many human rights violations charges against his father but Filipinos “are not concerned about that” these days.
“They are concerned about their lives today,” he said. “We want answers. Why are there drugs in our streets? Why is the crime rate going up at an alarming rate? Why is our educational sector miserable? Why is the distribution of wealth not happening? Why is the government not doing anything about it? Why is there no infrastructure development? Why is there no agricultural development? This is what people are worried about.”