Sampu't Sari: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

 FERDINAND "BONGBONG" MARCOS, JR.

"Loving your COUNTRY is loving your CHILDREN 

for it is they that will inherit it when you're gone."

Many Filipinos only look at him as the son the late president. Being the namesake of his father, it is quite impossible to detach himself from the shadows of his old man. For a political leader and a public manager who has served our country with integrity for nearly two decades, it is unfair not to see him as his own person.

At age 54, he has achieved a remarkable record of accomplishments. He started public service when he was elected vice-governor of Ilocos Norte in 1980. After a forced exile abroad, he came back to the Philippines in 1991 and was elected to Congress as representative for the second district of his home province the following year. During his three-consecutive term as governor to his hometown, he transformed Ilocos Norte into a first-class province through cultural tourism. In 2007, he was elected back to the House of Representatives where he served for a time as Deputy Minority Leader - Republic Act No. 9522 or the "Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law" is one of the important legislation he successfully authored. He placed seventh overall in the 2010 senatorial elections and presently chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlements.

Two weeks ago, I followed his Twitter account and I bravely asked him if he remembers the time when he was interviewed by Kris Aquino. He positively replied so I took the opportunity to ask if I can interview him as well. He then again said YES. Next thing I knew, we were exchanging emails and were already done with the electronic one-on-one conversation for my blog page, Sampu't Sari.

I am just a nobody in the cyberworld but when Senator Bongbong Marcos took the time to communicate with me, I felt my importance. Not as a blogger but as a citizen of our nation. This is the first time I received a quick response from an official. Quicker than our Barangay Councilor's.

Though our small talk was done through correspondence, I find him very candid, bright, and comfortable to talk with through his answers. Personally, I would like to know him better and these ten random questions about the Nineties somehow helped. Oh, I did not ask him about the "Bongbong Marcos Urban Legend". We all know that he is the real one. And yes, the Twitter account that I followed is not bogus.

1. What was your greatest fear when you and your family were allowed to return to the Philippines after a five-year forced exile in Hawaii? What was our country like when you came back in 1991?

It would be hypocritical of me to say I had no fear; it had been 5 years since the events of '86 and that certainly was the longest time I had ever stayed out of the country and, of course, I was aware of the vilification and defamation our family had been subjected to without chance of rebuttal from our side all those years. What my greatest fear was on heading home, I suppose, was a fear of the unknown. I was treading unchartered waters and I had no similar experience in the past to refer to so, you can imagine, it was pretty dicey. But my desire to step-foot again in my home country was greater than whatever fear I had so that sort of "won the day" so to speak. My initial impression of the country upon returning was it was more congested, Metro Manila, at least, and it was physically dirtier than when we were whisked away half a decade before. Settling in, subsequently, told me nothing much had changed essentially. Of course that year was at the height of those 10 hour daily brown-outs and that was quite unbelievable by itself. In that respect, the entire country was experiencing something for the first time since the 2nd world war. That was the scene when I returned in '91. I almost decided to book a flight out again -- I'm just kidding.

2. Name your three (3) most significant projects which benefited the people of Ilocos Norte during your term as its congressman from 1992 to 1995.

As a Congressman, I authored the RA 8044, an act creating the National Youth Commission which is a law for the entire country and not just for Ilocos. It was when I won the governorship of my province in '98 that I moved my family to Ilocos Norte and concentrated on the province. My children grew up and went to school there for all of the 9 years that I was Governor. Briefly, I'm proud to say it was during my tenure that our province was transformed from a 3rd class to a 1st class province and made into a tourist destination. It was also then that the 1st windfarm in South-East Asia was erected. We were able to provide health insurance for all in the province and establish cooperatives that increased the farmers output and earnings at the same time. I find it awkward to be talking about my "personal achievements" but having said that, the gains experienced in my province are fruits of the efforts of the entire population of Ilocos Norte and not just mine. If you don't mind my "plugging" Ilocos Norte, I'd like to invite you all to visit the province and see for yourself why many are doing so and enjoying it. Okay ba sa advertisement? Sabi nga nung isa, sa Ilocos daw dahil sa mga higanteng windmills, ang pag dalaw nyo dun sa wind-farm ay masasabi nyong: "It's more FAN in Ilocos Norte!"

3. When you guested on “Actually, ‘Yun Na!” in 1995, what was the question you have in mind you thought Kris would ask but she did not? What would be your answer to that question if she was able to read your mind? What was your initial reaction when they invited you to their show?

My initial reaction to the invitation of Kris to guest in her show was, "why not?" I had no personal animosity against her and was glad to assume she too felt the same way. There was no particular question that I imagined she would ask me but what I was apprehensive about was that in the course of the interview, we could get stuck in a situation where we would have opposing views on some historical events and I was ready to drop the subject if that had occurred because guests don't behave in a confrontational manner with their hosts. But Kris was warm and candid, too, so that went smoothly and, I must add, that's to her credit as a TV show host, and to all those that worked with her then in that production. Yun na, yun! I think media gives too much emphasis on supposed "battles between families" when in fact the people involved do not see it that way. A lot of the spin we see in media are just that, media creations.

4. Before the turn of the new millennium, there was a government platform called “Philippines 2000”. In your opinion, did it materialize? If not, how far are we from that vision?

That would have to be judged against its own stated goal or vision which, if I remember right, was the realization of Newly Industrialized Country status. It's 2012 now and we still have quite a bit of ways to go before we can assume, without looking foolish, that we are, indeed, an industrialized country. So by the time the Ramos administration had come to an end, I'm afraid we were nowhere near that goal. It would take about ten good solid years of continuous high-growth to take us to the threshold of NIC status. There are, however, other things important that GDP does not measure such as preservation of the environment, integrity of our public officials, strength of family unit, love of country, an educated and compassionate population and other things that make for a country and its people. Material comfort and security are most welcome and something to look forward to but it must also be widespread and more equally distributed. Poverty is not a poor man's battle; it's for the stronger to take the cudgels because what good is "getting ahead" and becoming prosperous if all around you is poverty. I hope those who are the more successful in their fields be the ones spearheading efforts in poverty alleviation in their respective industries which should include families of those working in a given industry. We need not view progress only on a geographical perspective but also from a sectorial standpoint so that the private institutions in a particular industry have a clear responsibility to their constituents as it were. Nation building is not only about government; it's the entire nation that should be involved to make it happen.

5. Did you see Erap’s presidency in 1998 and his downfall after three years coming? What is your stand on impeachment proceedings and street protest to oust government officials here in our country?

Yes, like many others, I saw Erap's road to the Presidency as one that would have been difficult to stop on its tracks and the snowball, to mix metaphors, kept on getting bigger and bigger ending in an avalanche as the votes came in. No, I did not foresee his downfall coming and, in fact, it was almost unbelievable what had happened to him. Impeachment proceedings are mechanisms provided us by the Constitution for removing certain officials including Justices of the SC, as we see happening now, and the President. Erap's removal was unconstitutional and we have seen the consequences of that up to now. I agree that all government officials must be made accountable and nobody should be immune from removal from office but we must not invoke it too casually specially for political motives or we denigrate what the Constitution meant to be as a system of checks and balances. We need less politics, less of the traditional politics, in our society. God knows we have too much of it.

6. Most of the kids of the 70’s decade only saw the ending of “Voltes V” two decades later when GMA7 revived it on their station in the late 90’s. Do you know the ultimate reason why it was cut off the air during your father’s administration? Were you a fan of this anime?

Haha! Yes, kids have their own world and I guess something like Voltes V would have been something important but it was actually the parents that worried about the violence that they were afraid might influence their children in a negative way. There was a lot of private lobbying by all kinds of groups, parents-groups, and so I guess my father saw it prudent to acquiesce to their demands on an issue that was and still is not well understood. Up to this day, the effects of violence as experienced vicariously by children through TV or video games is still a subject that remains contentious not only here but in other countries as well, and I don't think we have reached a definitive conclusion or findings on the matter.

7. Fatboy Slim, a prominent figure in the 90’s, made a collaborative work with the new wave music icon David Byrne and came up with “Here Lies Love”. What is your view on this concept album and rock musical about the life of your mother?

I'm not familiar with the details surrounding that project and if I'm not mistaken, it is one that still has to see completion as theatre – a rock opera I believe. Well, I'd be curious to watch it and see how good it has turned out to be. I have all the respect for them as artists. I don't know about the historical aspect of it but I guess that would be secondary. We're all familiar with the concept of "artistic license" so I'll have to take that with a grain of salt.

8. I was a candidate during the second SK elections in 1996 and I have witnessed a lot of anomalies during and after the elections. Being the author of a landmark act which led to the creation of the National Youth Commission, do you think we still need the Sangguniang Kabataan? What is the difference between SK and “Kabataang Barangay”?

The Kabataang Barangay (KB) is of course the precursor of the present day Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and I believe that not only should we continue with it, we should find ways of strengthening it and make it even more participatory in nation building. I realize that there have been some instances where SK members were used, abused, manipulated and exploited by some politicians and political parties in their selfish political agenda, thus destroying the very idealism that was expected from them. It was also stigmatized by a few members that got carried away by the prevailing culture of corruption that was shown to them by their elders. But that does not constitute enough reason to abolish it. The SK remains a good foundation for training our future leaders and the youth is always a good source of innovative ideas and new approaches. It would be a waste for any country not to harness the energy, enthusiasm, and spirited activism of their youth.

9. What particular genre of music were you listening to during the Pinoy Band Explosion of the 90’s? Aside from the saxophone, do you know any other musical instruments to play? Who are your musical influences during the nineties?

I play a little of the flute but to be frank, I'm very rusty with both the sax and flute as I have not been practicing either of them. I've sort of given up on my fantasy of being a rock-star. But seriously, I am a music lover and if I must differentiate between the genre's, I would say I am more inclined to Blues, Rock, Jazz, and even Classical music. But as a great jazz musician once said: "there are only two kinds of music -- good and bad." I'd rather look at music that way. As for the "Pinoy Band explosion," I thought that happened in the late 70's. I guess that merely underscores our age difference.

10. Briefly tell us what comes into your mind when you see or hear the following:

          A. The Spice Girls - Teenagers
          B. Juan Flavier - Amiable, down to earth, and convincing
          C. Death of Princess Diana - A ghastly end to a fairy-tale
          D. (Ex-Laguna Mayor) Antonio Sanchez - Hayop sa hair-do
          E. Manoling Morato - Garrulous
          F. Pampanga Megadike Project - Anomalies
          G. Persian Gulf War - Weapons marketing and of course, 
                 the 3 letter word – OIL
          H. Vizconde Massacre - Sad, family, unconscionable, unsolved
           I. Lewinsky Scandal - Government Warning: Cigar is Dangerous 
                to a Presidency
           J. Expo Pilipino - Once again: anomalies

Message to all the 90’s kids:

Well, first of all, you are no longer "kids" literally and in fact, soon, you will be holding the reins of power both in government and in the private sector. I would like to think that the work we do in government is aimed at the future generations that will be affected by it because most of what we do, at least in the legislative branch, will not have immediate results but will have far reaching consequences in the future. So, we need all the patience we can muster but I hasten to add, it is the present that will determine our future. What we can all do now, we should not postpone for another day and nothing is too small, too insignificant, if done by millions. If every person that is in the habit of, say, littering our streets all of a sudden make that conscious effort to refrain from doing so beginning today, you will see a difference right away. And consequently, and just as importantly, you would be showing your young children a behavior that they will copy and will be ingrained in them by the time they reach adulthood. There is a song I'm sure you are all familiar with: "Man in the Mirror," by the late Michael Jackson. That's exactly what I'm saying here. Nation building is not a task we should hesitate in participating in because even the fun you have, with friends and family, will be enhanced in an environment that is more prosperous, cleaner, crime free to the extent that it can be, and among a population that is better educated within a more egalitarian society. So, hindi ko sinasabi na tigilan nyo na ang mga "gimmick" o mga "happening" nyo kung hindi, sabayan nyo ng mga pagbabago, maliit man sya o malaki, dahil ang pag-uunlad ng ating bayan ay hindi gaganap sa isang tao o isang sektorya lamang. The need for a unified country is not to be taken as empty rhetoric but one that has practical implications. If you love your children and I'm sure you all do – I'm assuming here that most of you are already married with young children, except those na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nagsasawa sa pag bibinata…kanya-kanya lang yan – then love of country should be there, too, because simply put, our present actions will determine the kind of country we will leave to them, environmentally, socially, politically, and even spiritually. We are all in the same boat and together we will either sink or sail smoothly in the direction we see will be the quickest way to progress. Ang makakapagunlad sa ating bayan ay tayo lamang, tayong mga Pilipino. Yan ang dapat nating wag kalilimutan. Bilang panghuli, at lagi kong inuulit ito, kapag may lumalapit sa atin, itanong natin sa ating sarili: ano kaya ang maibibigay ko sa kanya na mahalaga sa kanyang pagkatao? Kapag may ipinagagawa sa atin, tanungin natin: kaya ko bang gawin ito nang may dignidad at may dangal? Iisipin natin palagi: hindi ko pababayaan na ang aking lakas, galling, at talino ay maaksaya. Alinmang sitwasyon, kailangan natin matukoy ang ating mithiin, mag-isip nang matayog at gamitin ang 'common sense' — at pinakamahalaga, hindi tayo matakot pakialaman ang ikauunlad ng ating bayan. Mabuhay po kayong lahat! (This is a good website and I congratulate you all for it. May your tribe multiply)


SIR, MARAMING SALAMAT AT MABUHAY KA!