President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., admitted that he changed his strategy, focusing on his social media presence to win the May 2022 elections.
In 2016, Marcos Jr. lost to Leni Robredo for Vice President. The late dictator’s son did not accept his defeat, protesting the now-outgoing VP three times.
In a rally, he said, “Noong 2016 nagpoprotesta tayo, wala tayong makuhang oras sa ABS-CBN, wala tayong makuha sa Channel 7, wala tayong makuha sa Inquirer, wala tayong makuha sa PhilStar, binabanat-banatan kami ng Rappler.”
His only option was to focus his resources on digital platforms.
“Eh sabi ko, the only option that we have is social media. Kaya doon kami nag-concentrate.”
It got followed with a joke that he did commandeer a troll army.
“Kaya nag-hire ako ng libu-libong troll army. Ipapakilala ko sa inyo ang aking troll army. Can you please show yourselves? Emerald, France, Gerald. Tatlo ang troll army natin, tatlo,” jested Marcos.
For the 2022 elections, however, a rematch between him and Robredo took place. This time, he emerged as the victor due to his tremendous digital media presence.
The presumptive President garnered 31 million votes compared to his biggest rival at only 14 million by the end of the election.
In a vlog uploaded on June 5, Marcos thanked his supporters for the outpouring support online.
“Muli kong gustong pasalamatan ang inyong patuloy na pagsubaybay sa aming social media. facebook, YouTube, Instagram, twitter, at kahit TikTok.
“Mula sa aming mga vlogs, sa mga albums, at mga mensahe na pino-post namin, lahat po iyan, ay hindi magiging matagumpay kung wala ang inyong suporta.
“‘Yung pag-share ninyo, pag-like, ‘yung iba ine-edit pa at inalalagay sa TikTok, lahat po nang iyan, ay napakalaking tulong,” he expressed.
The upcoming 17th President of the Philippines also promised that he will continue his vlogging to highlight the transparency of his administration.
“Kaya ipagpapatuloy talaga namin ang vlog na ito. Every so often nang mayroon tayong paliwanag doon sa ating mga ginagawa para hindi lamang sa pahayagan ang inyong nagiging balita kundi pati na from the horse’s mouth, ika nga.”
He added, “Ipagpatuloy natin iyang lahat at lalo pang pagagandahin. Upang hindi mapatid at hindi masayang itong ating nabuong samahan at ugnayan.”
