U.S.A.
Everyone Else
Health
Science
Business
Technology
Sports
Video Games
Entertainment
Future
Humour
NEWS > EVERYONE ELSE > FERDINAND MARCOS MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
FERDINAND MARCOS MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
April 22 2010
Batac, The Philippines – Adolf Hitler. Josef Stalin. Pol Pot. Mao Zedong. Idi Amin. There are some leaders whose strike fear into the hearts of nations, whose massive shadow remains over the people long after their rule has passed. There are also 
leaders whose historical resonance has made them into some of the most feared people in history, names such as Nero and Attila the Hun certainly fall into that category. Though benevolent leaders do exist, it is most often the mad men and dictators that gain the most press and historical resonance.
One of the many names that were added to that lengthy list in the 20th century was Ferdinand Marcos whose rule left thousands in the Philippines dead and missing. The period of martial law in particular wreaked havoc on the nation, damaging the infrastructure through embezzlement and forcing thousands to immigrate to western nations. Though far less damaging than other dictators, Marcos’ rule was one of the best known and most reviled in the world, due in large part to his flashy wife Imelda who often caught the eye of the media. Because of that reputation when he 
was forced from power Marcos secluded to Hawaii to live out the rest of days, finally dying in 1989. For all those reasons, his sudden appearance on the Philippine political stage is even more shocking all these years after his death.
Ferdinand himself is of course not running for office. Instead it his widow, 80-year old Imelda now running for office who has brought him back onto the campaign trail. Travelling alongside her at all her campaign stops, the mummified remains of the former President have become a tactile reminder of a painful part of the past but has also brought much attention to the campaign which might otherwise have been dismissed. Though unable to speak or comprehend exactly what is happening, Marcos has nonetheless become a major part of his widow’s campaign and once again a major political player in the country.
“Celebrity plays a huge part in any election. Ideally, we would like to see the best, the
smartest, and the most talented win elections but that is often exactly the opposite of what happens. In recent years we have seen people like Bill Clinton and George Bush Jr. make it to office in the United States despite totally underwhelming track records. Barack Obama is of course a celebrity but he didn’t have much competition,” said Scrape TV Political analyst Gabriel Kinsey. “Celebrity plays a major role in far less important elections as well, such as those in The Philippines. People like a winner and like being associated with a winner. They are able to take pride in their accomplishment when the person they vote for wins, much like a sports team, and so they are naturally drawn to big names which are far more likely to win campaigns. Ferdinand Marcos is about as big a celebrity as you can get in that country, well him and Manny Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao, a professional boxer, is also running for a seat in parliament.
“Having someone like Marcos in your corner can be controversial but you don’t need to win every vote, just more than the other guy. His presence on the campaign trail should help put her over the top even if he doesn’t say anything,” continued Kinsey. “Who would have thought all those years ago that mummifying your husband and putting him in glass case could have so many benefits? I guess that’s why she’s Imelda Marcos and we aren’t.”
The Marcos’ children already have plans to put mom in cold storage once she dies.
Emil Uliya, International Correspondent
NEWS > EVERYONE ELSE > FERDINAND MARCOS MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
LINK IT! http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Everyone%20Else/pages-6/Ferdinand-Marcos-makes-surprise-appearance-on-campaign-trail-Scrape-TV-The-World-on-your-side.html |
TWEET IT! http://bit.ly/bqIdb2 |
BOOKMARK IT!  
|
|---|
Scrape Store
