Marcos Jr.‘s declared victory Wednesday, saying his electoral triumph is a boost to democracy and promised to seek common ground across the political divide, his spokesman, Vic Rodriguez, said.
“To the world: Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions,” Rodriguez quoted Marcos Jr. as saying.
The election outcome was an astonishing reversal of the army-backed but largely peaceful “People Power” uprising that ousted Marcos’s father in 1986 — a democratic triumph in Southeast Asia where authoritarian regimes flourish.
Marcos Jr., 64, campaigned on a vague national unity theme while avoiding volatile issues in an effort hard-line leftist groups and survivors of the elder Marcos's dictatorship likened to whitewashing of his father's crimes. On Tuesday, he appeared overcome with emotions while visiting his father’s grave — which was moved to the national heroes’ cemetery under current President Rodrigo Duterte.
Several of Marcos Jr.’s key election rivals have conceded defeat, though the closest challenger, Vice President Leni Robredo, a human rights lawyer who ran on a promise of badly needed reforms, has only acknowledged his massive lead. The U.S. State Department said the elections and subsequent vote count followed international standards without any major incident.
The tabulated results still must be confirmed by Congress. Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte would then start their single, six-year term leading a Southeast Asian nation battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, wealth inequality, Muslim and communist insurgencies, and political divisions, which were only inflamed by the turbulent presidencies of their fathers.
Earlier, China congratulated the “leading candidates” and the Philippines for the smooth conduct of the elections and said it would work with Manila to “stay committed to good neighborliness and friendship” for the benefit of both nations' people.
Marcos Jr. has said he wants to pursue closer ties with China, though Beijing during the outgoing Duterte's presidency showed no willingness to compromise on their conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea and military, fishing and other operations in those waters.
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. gestures as he greets the crowd outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos' apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. gestures as he greets the crowd outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos' apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds a sign he borrowed from the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the namesake son of an ousted Philippine dictator, declared victory Wednesday in this week’s presidential election and faced early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds a sign he borrowed from the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the namesake son of an ousted Philippine dictator, declared victory Wednesday in this week’s presidential election and faced early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. places flowers on top of the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. places flowers on top of the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visits the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visits the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visits the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionIn this photo provided by the Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visits the tomb of his father at the National Heroes Cemetery in Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday May 10, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific.(Office of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. via AP)
Credit: Uncredited
Credit: Uncredited
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionFerdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. speaks to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared victory in this week's presidential elections in the Philippines. He faces early calls to ensure respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy that contrast starkly with his background as the son and namesake of an ousted dictator. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos' apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos' apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. gestures as he greets the crowd outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. gestures as he greets the crowd outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionPresidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greets the crowd as he celebrates outside his headquarters in Mandaluyong, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionVillage workers remove election campaign posters in Quezon city, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
CaptionVillage workers remove election campaign posters in Quezon city, Philippines on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Marcos, the namesake son of longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos, apparent landslide victory in the Philippine presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia and could complicate American efforts to blunt growing Chinese influence and power in the Pacific. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Credit: Aaron Favila
Credit: Aaron Favila