Sen. Marcos: ‘We did not leave the country. We were kidnapped’

MANILA, Philippines – “We did not leave the country. We were kidnapped!” was how Senator Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr. described his family’s sudden flight from the country after his father, then president Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted by the first People Power in 1986.

Marcos was reacting to remarks by a reporter during the interview about the senator’s family having to leave after the people power revolt.

“Huwag mong sinasabing umalis kami. Hindi kami umalis. Kinidnap kami!” said the young Marcos who left in a hurry after what was initially an amicable interview with media.

Prior to his quick departure, the senator was still calm when he was asked the question in relation to the commemoration of the 25th People Power I anniversary.

“No. It was the day that we were taken away from this country. We did not leave the country. We were taken away, and not allowed to return. There's a very distinct and important difference,” Senator Marcos told reporters at the Senate.

And rather than look back at what happened in the past, Marcos said their instinct was always to look forward and see what else they could do for the country and to improve the lives of Filipinos.

Marcos even acknowledged the People Power 1 an “important event” in the nation's history.

“But I think it serves as a touchstone for all of us especially those of us who are in government to give us an idea, give us a read of how far we've come, or how little we have come along. And I think that with all the promises, all the dreams, and hopes that were expressed at that time, we realized that there's still a great deal to do and that we must work very hard to better the lives of our people,” he said.

In fact, he said, if the plans of his father had pushed though, the senator said the Philippines would be like Singapore now.

And while he also acknowledged the efforts of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to institute reforms in the country, the senator said he has not yet seen any “movement” under the new leadership.

“We're in this term for eight months now, we can see na sumusubok talaga [that they’re really trying], that there are very sincere efforts to do that , the sincerity is I think not questioned. But as to the effectivity, we will have to wait until the real effects of the 2011 budget are clear,” he said.

But right now, the senator said, “Wala pa tayong nakikitang movement [We haven’t seen any movement.”
source: inquirer