MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been included in the “100 Most Influential People of 2024” list by Time Magazine.
According to Time, Marcos was listed for his efforts on economic recovery after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Chief Executive was also cited for elevating the Philippines in the world stage and his stance on the West Philippine Sea amid rising tensions in the region.
“Bongbong has stood steadfast against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea and bolstered his nation’s alliance with the US in the face of rising tensions in the region and the world,” read a portion of Marcos’ profile in the 2024 Time 100 issue.
“Many problems persist, including extrajudicial killings and journalists routinely attacked. But by trying to repair his family name, Bongbong may reshape his country too,” it added.
President Marcos is listed in the Leaders category, along with Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny; Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk; Taiwan President-elect Willian Lai; Argentina President Javier Milei; Qatar Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Adbulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; and Chinese Premier Li Qiang; among others.
Marcos followed the footsteps of former Presidents Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte, who were included in Time Magazine’s list in 2013 and 2017, respectively.
According to Time, they spent months deliberating on who should be on the list, which was categorized into artists, icons, titans, leaders, innovators, and pioneers.
“[We] selected the 100 who we believe most changed the stories that define the past year,” the magazine said./PN
