Ferdinand Marcos Jr sworn in as Philippines president

Inauguration of man known as Bongbong comes 36 years after army-backed revolt removed his namesake father from power

Philippines' President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr, centre, is joined by his mother and former first lady Imelda at his inauguration ceremony in Manila. Getty

The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Manila. Reuters

Sara Duterte, the Philippines' new Vice President and daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, with Mr Marcos Jr in Manila. Reuters

Mr Marcos Jr is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Getty

Mr Marcos Jr is sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. AP

An activist prepares to protest against the inauguration ceremony in Manila. AP

Supporters of the new president gather in the capital. AP

The inauguration ceremony sparked a demonstration in the city. AP

Supporters watch Mr Marcos Jr and Mr Duterte on a giant screen during the ceremony. AP

The new Philippines leader arrives at the museum. AP

Mr Marcos Jr, with his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos and son Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, takes the oath as the next Philippine president in Manila. Getty

Ferdinand 'BongBong' Marcos, the Philippines' president, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Old Legislative Building in Manila. Bloomberg

Ferdinand Marcos with his wife and son at the ceremony. Bloomberg

Departing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, second from left, shakes hands with incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during the inauguration ceremony for Mr Marcos in Manila. AFP

Departing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, centre left, is escorted as he reviews an honour guard, as incoming President Ferdinand Marcos J looks on, during the inauguration ceremony for Mr Marcos Jr, in Manila. AFP

The leaders salute during the inauguration ceremony. AFP

People attend the swearing-in ceremony. Bloomberg

A promotional video for Mr Marcos Jr is displayed on a screen at the Old Legislative Building, in Manila. Bloomberg

Supporters attend the inauguration. Mr Marcos Jr was sworn in as president amid protests over his namesake father's rule. Bloomberg

A supporter holds the national flag. Mr Marcos Jr received more than 31 million votes and incoming vice president Sara Duterte more than 32 million of the more than 55 million votes cast in the May 9 election. AP

Ferdinand Marcos Jr was sworn in as president of the Philippines on Thursday amid protests over his namesake father's rule.

The inauguration of Mr Marcos Jr was held at the steps of the National Museum in Manila on Thursday.

The Philippine Congress last month proclaimed his landslide victory, as well as that of his running mate Sara Duterte, daughter of departing president Rodrigo Duterte, in the vice-presidential race.

“I ask you all pray for me, wish me well. I want to do well because when the president does well, the country does well,” Mr Marcos Jr said after his congressional proclamation, without taking any questions.

He received more than 31 million votes and Ms Duterte had more than 32 million of the more than 55 million votes cast in the May 9 election — emphatic victories that will provide them robust political capital as they face tremendous challenges as well as doubts arising from their fathers’ reputations.

It was the first majority presidential victory in the Philippines in decades.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and Doug Emhoff, US Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, were among foreign dignitaries at the swearing-in ceremony.

The inauguration comes 36 years after an army-backed revolt removed his father Ferdinand Marcos Sr from power.

Activists and survivors of the martial law-era under his father staged protests on the sidelines of the inauguration. Thousands of police officers, including anti-riot contingents, Swat commandos and snipers, were deployed in the bayside tourist district for security.

A public holiday, monuments and the Philippine constitution stand as reminders of his father’s tyrannical rule.

“Wow is this really happening?” Bonifacio Ilagan, 70, an activist who was detained and severely tortured by counterinsurgency forces during the elder Marcos’s rule, told AP.

“For victims of martial law like me, this is a nightmare.”

Such historical baggage and antagonism stand to hound Marcos Jr during a six-year presidency beginning at a time of intense crises.

The Philippines has been among the countries in Asia worst-hit by the two-year coronavirus pandemic, after more than 60,000 deaths and extended lockdowns sent the economy to its worst recession since the Second World War and worsened poverty, unemployment and hunger.

As the pandemic was easing early this year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent global inflation soaring and sparked fears of food shortages.

Last week, Mr Marcos Jr announced he would serve as secretary of agriculture temporarily after he takes office to prepare for possible food supply emergencies. “I think the problem is severe enough,” he said and added he has asked his key advisers to brace for “emergency situations, especially when it comes to food supply.”

He also inherits decades-old Islamist and communist insurgencies, crime, gaping inequality and political divisions inflamed by his election.

Mr Duterte presided over a brutal anti-drugs campaign that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead in an unprecedented scale of killings the International Criminal Court was investigating as a possible crime against humanity.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds a Galil sniper rifle next to outgoing National Police Chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa during a handover ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Manila. Reuters

Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference at the Asean Summit in Manila, the Philippines. Duterte lashed out at Justin Trudeau after the Canadian prime minister raised concerns about human rights abuses under the country’s drug war. Bloomberg

Rodrigo Duterte chats with partner Honeylet Avancena while waiting for leaders to arrive to attend the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit in Manila on April 29, 2017. AFP

Rodrigo Duterte saluting a soldier wounded by an explosion, during a visit to a military camp in Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines. Twin bombings hit a Sunday mass at Jolo Cathedral in the Mindanao region of the southern Philippines on January 27. EPA

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pose for a group photo on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN summit in Singapore, 2018. AFP

Rodrigo Duterte salutes at Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista and Major General Macairog Sabeniano Alberto, during a change of command ceremonies of the Philippine Army at a military camp in Taguig, south of Manila, Philippines. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte gestures next to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after Philippines' Manny Pacquiao beat Argentina's Lucas Matthysse during their world welterweight boxing championship bout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. AFP

King Abdullah II of Jordan talks with Rodrigo Duterte as they review the guard of honor at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, September 6, 2018. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte inspects a Catholic church damaged by explosion in Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines, 28 January 2019. EPA

Rodrigo Duterte with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono during a meeting in Davao city, Philippines. EPA

The probe was suspended in November, but the ICC chief prosecutor has asked that it be resumed immediately.

Mr Marcos Jr and Ms Duterte have faced calls to help prosecute her father and co-operate with the international court when they office, a looming political dilemma.

A former governor, congressman and senator, Mr Marcos Jr has refused to acknowledge or apologise for massive human rights breaches and plunder under his father’s rule and has defended his legacy.

He has appealed to be judged “not by my ancestors, but by my actions”.