Restoration politics

MANY of my generation thought when the Marcoses fled in 1986 they were done as a political force. Yet, as the classic blues song goes, "Sent for you yesterday, yet here you come today." Why is Bongbong Marcos leading in the polls? As I observe their comeback, I have thought a lot about it. This is an ongoing process that has been constant not just since the family returned to the Philippines after President Marcos' death, but probably from when they got over their jet lag upon arrival in exile in Hawaii. I give them credit for their focus and relentlessness at restoring themselves. They could have stayed in exile and not just the Marcos family, but nearly all the cronies came back or never left and contested elections from the start. A few stayed away permanently, but most came back and even more amazing to me, successfully rehabilitated themselves. Surprised about the Marcoses' viability? Wouldn't the careers of not just of Senator Enrile but scores of Marcos cabinet officials and so on since the 1990s presaged that? Even the slow upward shift in the electoral fortunes of the Marcos family from 1992 to today is evident. While most of the Yellow and anti-Marcos crowd stayed that way, what was even more surprising to me is how some former detainees and Marcos' critics in their senior age have now become not just apologists for the Marcoses but major cheerleaders.

Why is this possible restoration of the most powerful and famous but also most controversial and reviled political name in Philippine history happening? They may be back at Malacañan Palace 36 years after they left. Note I am not using dynastic as that is a given in Philippine politics. Political power in the Philippines is so lucrative and attractive. From barangay to national level, it is a core competence and main occupation of families and clans through generations. Dynasties exist in other countries too, but I have not seen it to the extent it holds sway here. For most political families, if the influence is not sustained, it is usually not for lack of trying.