In 2016, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suffered a hairline defeat in the vice presidential race — less than 300,000 — to then administration candidate Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. Six years later, in a reversal of fortunes, Marcos received more than double Robredo’s votes in the presidential race.
The 2022 elections gave the son and namesake of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos a historic victory. Marcos Jr. got over 31 million votes compared to Robredo’s almost 15 million votes, based on partial and unofficial tally of election results which already account for more than 98% of election returns.
Over three decades after the 1986 EDSA popular uprising ousted the Marcoses, many voters have no memory of, forgotten, forgiven, or refused to believe the brutality of his regime. (READ: Marcos leads presidential race amid massive disinformation)
Marcos doubled his votes in Bicol region
How did the regions and provinces vote in the presidential elections?
The supporters of both Marcos and Robredo were enthusiastic nationwide, but the turnout for Marcos was sensational. He doubled, tripled, quadrupled or more his 2016 votes even in Bicol and Western Visayas regions where Robredo kept her lead.
Robredo’s 2016 votes were shaved significantly in many provinces but she also gained votes, albeit modestly, in many others — including provinces where she was defeated.
The election results reflected how the presidential elections became a two-way race between the two candidates.
In 2016, other vice presidential candidates received 12 million votes combined and Alan Peter Cayetano captured several Mindanao provinces. In 2022, the other presidential candidates so far have 6 million votes combined.
In Marcos territory Ilocos Norte, a small voting population of less than half million, Marcos voters helped secure his victory by increasing his 2016 votes by over 50,000 from almost 300,000 to more than 350,000 in 2022.
But Robredo also almost tripled her votes in the province — from 3,704 in 2016 to 10,037 in 2022 — a small victory reflecting the efforts of her small but dedicated supporters in the area.
In Robredo’s home province, Camarines Sur, she dominated with more than 950,000 votes compared to Marcos’ over 100,000. Robredo was up by about 300,000 in this election cycle but Marcos also more than doubled his 41,219 votes in 2016.
These patterns are repeated in many provinces. In Iloilo province, where Robredo received over 720,000 votes, Marcos received over 450,000 votes. It was almost fives times what he received in 2016. It's the only province among the country's ten most vote-rich provinces to favor Robredo.
In Quezon province, Robredo topped the 2022 elections with more than 609,000 votes or a 158% increase from 2016. But Marcos also more than doubled his votes in the province, from 173,394 votes in 2016 to over 440,000 in 2022. It is the country's 13th most vote-rich province.
Marcos tops 63 out of 81 provinces
Marcos topped 64 provinces and all cities and municipality of the National Capital Region while Robredo led in 15.
Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao dominated in his home province Sarangani while Faisal Mangondato topped his own province Lanao Del Sur.
From Robredo to Marcos
Robredo kept her lead in 15 provinces: Batanes, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Negros Occidental.
Marcos also increased his votes in these provinces.
Robredo lost five regions that helped bring her to victory in 2016 — Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and BARMM.
In Mimaropa provinces, Marcos more than doubled his votes in all the provinces while Robredo recorded modest increases except in Palawan, where her votes went down.
Cebu, the country’s most vote-rich province located in Central Visayas, delivered over 1.5 million votes for Marcos. It was a 769% increase from his votes in 2016 — over 650,000 — when he placed third following Robredo and Cayetano.
Robredo’s votes were down from over 800,000 in 2016 to just more than 570,00 in 2022.
Marcos recorded his highest increase in terms of percentage in Camiguin in Northern Mindanao — 2,110% increase from more than 2,000 votes in 2016 to over 45,000 in 2022.
In Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental — also located in Northern Mindanao — Marcos increased his votes more than six times. Robredo’s votes in the two provinces were down to 23% and 62% of her 2016 numbers, respectively.
Caraga provinces, except Dinagat Island, supported Robredo in 2016. In 2022, the entire region supported Marcos, increasing his votes from 313% to 577% compared to 2016. Robredo ally Gov. Kaka Bag-ao also lost her re-election bid in Dinagat Island.
In BARMM, his votes tripled in Maguindanao and quadrupled in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.
1,140% increase in Davao Del Sur
Just like in 2016, the National Capital Region was a Marcos country despite the behemoth crowds organized by Robredo during the campaign. Even in Manila City, the home turf of fellow presidential candidate Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Marcos was the top pick with his over 350,000 votes. Moreno and Robredo placed second and third, respectively, with over 295,000 and over 195,000 votes.
In Davao Region, Marcos increased his votes by 1,140% or more than 11 times in Davao Del Sur, the country's 12th most vote-rich province. It is the home turf of his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. He increased his votes from 80,303 in 2016 to more than 915,000 in 2022.
In other areas where Marcos dominated in 2016, he almost doubled his votes in Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon, more than doubled his votes in Calabarzon, and recorded modest increases in Cagayan Valley. END