Marcos defends dictator father’s rule
Manila – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr yesterday praised his dictator father’s rule after being sworn in as the country’s new leader, completing a decades-long effort to restore the clan to the country’s highest office.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, 64, won last month’s elections by a landslide, securing the biggest victory since his father and namesake was ousted by a popular revolt in 1986.
He succeeds the hugely popular Rodrigo Duterte, who gained international infamy for his deadly drug war and has threatened to kill suspected dealers after he leaves office.
In the last act of reviving the family brand, Marcos Jnr took the oath in a public ceremony at the National Museum in Manila in front of hundreds of diplomats, dignitaries and supporters.
With his 92-year-old mother Imelda sitting metres away, Marcos Jnr praised the late patriarch’s regime, which critics describe as a dark period of human rights abuses and corruption that left the country impoverished.
“I once knew a man who saw what little had been achieved since independence... but he got it done,” Marcos Jnr said after being sworn into office, claiming his father built more roads and produced more rice than his predecessors.
“So will it be with his son. You will get no excuses from me.”
Ahead of the swearing-in, Duterte received Marcos Jnr at the riverside Malacanang presidential palace – which the Marcos family fled into exile 36 years ago.
The ceremony comes days after the Supreme Court dismissed final attempts to have Marcos Jnr disqualified from the election and prevent him taking office. –
The Comedy Central Roast is back with a bang!
Comedian, presenter, television personality and all-round entertainer Mpho Modikoane, aka Mpho Popps, will be tasked with keeping things explosive as the Roastmaster for The Comedy Central Roast of Khanyi Mbau, brought to you by Showmax.
Comedy Central Africa’s much anticipated Roast will air in August on both Comedy Central Africa’s DStv Channel 122 and Showmax.
The electrifying combination of Modikoane and Mbau will ensure that there is never a dull moment on the show.
They’ve appeared on screen together and even then there was
no shortage of witty exchanges between the two.
Modikoane is known for his stinging wit and the Queen of controversy, Mbau, is known for her razor sharp tongue – all the ingredients that make for an epic and entertaining Roast.
“This is just one of those career milestones that I couldn’t have imagined happening. Khanyi Mbau is a legend and an entertainment icon,” said Modikoane.
“For me to be the chosen one to throw her onto the flames to be roasted is not only historical but legendary as well.”
Dillon Khan, vice-president of Comedy Central Africa, said: “Comedy Central Africa has enjoyed collaborating with Mpho Popps on various other projects. He did the opening set for the Roast of Somizi and had a very amazing performance. So being the Roastmaster is a natural fit.” – Citizen reporter