President Marcos' attempt to win Filipino voters by fighting corruption is backfiring

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., waves during his keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, last year. - AP File Photo

MANILA (Bloomberg): Last year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bet he could boost his political fortunes by taking aim at a brewing graft scandal that had stirred public outrage. Building on his 2022 landslide election victory, tackling corruption would cement his reputation and fend off rivals.

It backfired.