Philippines Prepares For Presidential Elections

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - MAY 07: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. waves a Philippine flag during his last campaign rally before the election on May 07, 2022 in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Candidates for the May 9 presidential elections held their final campaign rallies two days before millions of Filipinos head to the polls to elect the country's new set of leaders. The son and namesake of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who was accused and charged of amassing billions of dollars of ill-gotten wealth as well as committing tens of thousands of human rights abuses during his autocratic rule, has mounted a hugely popular campaign to return his family name to power. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. enjoys a wide lead in opinion polls against his main rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, owing to a massive disinformation campaign that has effectively rebranded the Marcos dictatorship as a "golden age." Marcos is running alongside Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte, the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte who is the subject of an international investigation for alleged human rights violations during his bloody war on drugs. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)