• Philippines presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr arrives at his campaign headquarters, in Manila. Bloomberg
    Philippines presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr arrives at his campaign headquarters, in Manila. Bloomberg
  • Supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Junior cheer outside his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Manila. Mr Marcos Jr was leading by landslide, with most of the votes counted. EPA
    Supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Junior cheer outside his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Manila. Mr Marcos Jr was leading by landslide, with most of the votes counted. EPA
  • Supporters of presidential candidate and Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo take a part in a prayer vigil after the final result of votes in Manila. AFP
    Supporters of presidential candidate and Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo take a part in a prayer vigil after the final result of votes in Manila. AFP
  • Protesters stage a demonstration against results showing Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos winning the presidency, in front of the Commission on Elections headquarters, in Manila. EPA
    Protesters stage a demonstration against results showing Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos winning the presidency, in front of the Commission on Elections headquarters, in Manila. EPA
  • Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr celebrate as partial results of the elections show him with a wide lead over rivals, in Mandaluyong City. Reuters
    Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr celebrate as partial results of the elections show him with a wide lead over rivals, in Mandaluyong City. Reuters
  • Demonstrators rally in front of the Commission on Elections offices. AFP
    Demonstrators rally in front of the Commission on Elections offices. AFP
  • Students and activists sing during the rally. AP
    Students and activists sing during the rally. AP
  • Vice President Leni Robredo speaks to journalists after the election, at her home in Magarao, Camarines Norte. EPA
    Vice President Leni Robredo speaks to journalists after the election, at her home in Magarao, Camarines Norte. EPA
  • Supporters of Ms Robredo take a part in a prayer vigil. AFP
    Supporters of Ms Robredo take a part in a prayer vigil. AFP
  • As her supporters rallied, Ms Robredo urged them to listen to the “voice of the people”, referring to the unofficial vote count that pointed to victory for Mr Marcos Jr. Reuters
    As her supporters rallied, Ms Robredo urged them to listen to the “voice of the people”, referring to the unofficial vote count that pointed to victory for Mr Marcos Jr. Reuters
  • Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr cheer outside his campaign headquarters in Manila. Bloomberg
    Supporters of Mr Marcos Jr cheer outside his campaign headquarters in Manila. Bloomberg
  • Millions of people flocked to voting centres across the country for the national elections. EPA
    Millions of people flocked to voting centres across the country for the national elections. EPA

Philippines election: Ferdinand Marcos Jr claims victory


Ismaeel Naar
  • English
  • Arabic

Ferdinand Marcos Jr vowed to be a leader “for all Filipinos” after he claimed victory in the Philippines presidential election on Wednesday.

With 98 per cent of the votes counted and an unassailable lead of more than 16 million votes, Mr Marcos Jr's spokesman Vic Rodriguez said the Filipino people had “spoken decisively”.

“To the world, he says: 'judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions',” Mr Rodriguez said of the man nicknamed 'Bongbong'.

“His is a victory for all Filipinos and for democracy. To those who voted for Bongbong and those who did not, it is his promise to be a president for all Filipinos — to seek common ground across political divides and to work together to unite the nation.”

With the initial count almost complete, the son of the once-notorious Ferdinand Marcos Sr has secured more than 56 per cent of the vote and more than double the tally of his nearest rival, liberal Leni Robredo.

Voters had been predicted to back Mr Marcos Jr by a landslide, after relentless online whitewashing of his family's past, the backing of powerful political dynasties and public disenchantment with post-dictatorship governments.

For years, pro-Marcos accounts have flooded social media, leaving many young Filipinos believing his father's rule was a golden period of peace and prosperity.

Volunteers inspect election returns at the command centre of the Parish Pastoral Council of Good Governance, a church-backed election watchdog, in Manila. Getty
Volunteers inspect election returns at the command centre of the Parish Pastoral Council of Good Governance, a church-backed election watchdog, in Manila. Getty

In reality, Marcos Sr left the Philippines bankrupt and impoverished after killing, torturing and jailing tens of thousands of opponents during his corrupt dictatorship.

Hours after his thumping victory, Mr Marcos Jr visited his father's grave at the national heroes' cemetery in the Philippines' capital Manila.

Photos posted on official social media accounts on Wednesday showed him standing by the tomb with his head slightly bowed and covering his eyes with his right hand, as if crying.

Marcos Sr died in exile in 1989 but was interred at the graveyard in 2016 only after president Rodrigo Duterte defied public outcry to order the dictator's burial with full military honours.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr visits the tomb of his father in Manila, hours after claiming victory in the Philippines' presidential election. AP
Ferdinand Marcos Jr visits the tomb of his father in Manila, hours after claiming victory in the Philippines' presidential election. AP

Mr Marcos Jr vowed to "hit the ground running" when he takes office on June 30, with the economy, cost of living, jobs and education among his government's priorities.

"I know that the counting is not over, it is not yet official but I'm always guided and always look to the fact that 31 million of our countrymen voted for unity," he told reporters at his campaign headquarters in Manila.

Marcos Jr supporters 'overwhelmed' by election outcome

The president-elect was greeted by a crush of supporters as he arrived at the headquarters before fronting the media.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Mr Marcos Jr grabbed a cardboard sign from a fan that read "Thank you 31 million".

Joseph Bugayong, 30, a gardener who was among those standing outside the building, said he was happy and overwhelmed by the result.

"I saw him in person and even shook his hand," he said. "My wait was worth it."

The Marcos family's astounding journey from ignominy back to political favour has overshadowed questions about how Mr Marcos Jr's government will perform.

There were few hints on the campaign trail after he snubbed televised debates and largely avoided media interviews as he sought to avoid own goals.

Human rights groups, Catholic Church leaders and political analysts fear the huge win could embolden Mr Marcos Jr to rule with a heavy fist and push through constitutional changes that could entrench his rule.

His running mate Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing president, also won the vice presidency, which is elected separately, by a landslide.

Their success at the ballot box means the two offspring of authoritarian leaders will hold the highest elected positions for the next six years at least.

In his first Cabinet appointment, Mr Marcos Jr said Ms Duterte would serve as education secretary.

The overwhelming win has devastated many of Ms Robredo's supporters, who regarded the election as a make-or-break moment for the country's fragile democracy.

Many of them went door to door across the vast archipelago in a months-long effort to convince voters to support the liberal candidate for the top job.

Ms Robredo, 57, a lawyer and the current vice president, admitted to "clear disappointment" but vowed to continue the fight against poor government.

Mr Marcos Jr will have to contend with an opposition that could congeal into a potent pro-democracy movement, political analyst Richard Heydarian said.

"I think they could still be in a position to check the worst instincts of the incoming Marcos and Duterte administration," he said.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs

Engine: 2-litre

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 255hp

Torque: 273Nm

Price: Dh240,000

The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Don%20Lee%2C%20Lee%20Jun-hyuk%2C%20Munetaka%20Aoki%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Griselda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Andr%C3%A9s%20Baiz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ESof%C3%ADa%20Vergara%2C%20Alberto%20Guerra%2C%20Juliana%20Aiden%20Martinez%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
IPL 2018 FINAL

Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)

Chennai win by eight wickets

Brown/Black belt finals

3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

SPEC%20SHEET
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M2%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206%2C%20Bluetooth%205.0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%2C%20midnight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%20or%2035W%20dual-port%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C999%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Managing the separation process

  • Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
  • Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
  • Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
  • If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
  • The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
  • Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
  • Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.  
Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed PDK

Power: 630bhp

Torque: 820Nm

Price: Dh683,200

On sale: now

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Barbie
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Greta%20Gerwig%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Ryan%20Gosling%2C%20Will%20Ferrell%2C%20America%20Ferrera%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: June 30, 2022, 5:26 AM