Foundation Leader Condemns Presidential Oversight, Revives Marcos Family Atrocities Including Aquino Assassination Allegations
New York, N.Y. — Philippine President Bongbong Marcos [Luce Index™ score: 43/100] is under intense scrutiny for bypassing engagements with the Filipino American community during his recent U.S. visit, igniting accusations of diplomatic negligence and historical amnesia.
Jim Luce, president and C.E.O. of the J. Luce Foundation, delivered a blistering critique, calling the snub “inexcusable” while invoking the Marcos family’s contentious legacy—including martial law, corruption, and the alleged assassination of opposition leader Ninoy Aquino [Luce Index™ score: 87/100].
Luce’s Scathing Indictment
Luce minced no words in a statement to The Stewardship Report, linking the president’s actions to his family’s authoritarian past: “If the good people of the Philippines… elected Ferdinand Marcos Jr.… God help them.”
He underscored the Marcos dynasty’s 1986 exile after the People Power Revolution, noting Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime was defined by “martial law, corruption, and human rights abuses.”
Luce further cited Imelda Marcos—infamous for her extravagant shoe collection (see bottom image) —who served as Governor of Metro Manila during her husband’s rule.
The Aquino Assassination: A Lingering Shadow
In a bombshell allegation, Luce asserted the Marcos family was “99% sure” to have ordered the 1983 murder of former senator Ninoy Aquino Jr., an icon of Philippine democracy.
Aquino was shot point-blank upon arriving at Manila International Airport from Boston. “The man who shot him, like Lee Harvey Oswald, was also gunned down,” Luce added, drawing parallels to unresolved political assassinations. Aquino’s death catalyzed mass protests that eventually toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
Historical Baggage Meets Modern Diplomacy
Marcos Jr.’s U.S. trip, framed as a bid to strengthen bilateral ties, instead spotlighted his avoidance of America’s 4.2 million-strong Filipino diaspora.
Community leaders expressed outrage, citing missed opportunities to address issues like visa backlogs and veterans’ benefits.
“This wasn’t an oversight; it was an erasure,” stated Los Angeles-based activist Dr. Maria Santos. Analysts suggest the snub reflects Marcos Jr.’s reluctance to confront diaspora groups historically critical of his family’s plunder of an estimated $10 billion from Philippine coffers.
The Foundation’s Crusade for Accountability
The J. Luce Foundation has long advocated for human rights and stewardship.
The Henry Luce III library at Central Philippine University stands in Iloilo on the island of Western Visayas, a region scarred by Marcos-era militarization.
Luce’s condemnation amplifies Filipino American efforts to block the Marcos family’s U.S. assets recovery, citing unresolved ill-gotten wealth cases.
Legal experts note the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could be leveraged to freeze properties linked to Imelda Marcos’s infamous 3,000-piece shoe collection.
White House Silence and Community Backlash
While the Biden administration hailed Marcos Jr. as a “key Indo-Pacific ally,” it avoided commenting on the community snub.
Filipino American coalitions staged protests in D.C. and San Francisco, waving “Never Again to Marcos Tyranny” banners.
Historian Dr. Rafael Cruz warned, “Ignoring diaspora voices whitewashes history,” referencing ongoing battles for reparations for martial law victims.
Over 70,000 were imprisoned, tortured, or killed under Marcos Sr., per Philippine human rights groups.
The Road Ahead: Reckoning or Repetition?
Marcos Jr.’s U.S. misstep fuels debates about his commitment to democratic reconciliation. While he has acknowledged “past injustices,” critics note he’s never apologized for his family’s crimes.
Luce’s intervention—invoking Aquino’s martyrdom—resonates deeply amid rising disinformation that glorifies the Marcos era. “If the president won’t face our community,” said New York organizer Tessa Ramos, “he’s still fleeing 1986.”
Marcos Jr. Faces Fury Over Filipino-American Snub During U.S. Tour (July 23, 2025)
Audio Summary (75 words)
Philippine President Bongbong Marcos faces fierce backlash for skipping Filipino-American engagements during his U.S. visit. J. Luce Foundation leader Jim Luce condemned the snub as inexcusable, reviving allegations of Marcos family corruption, human rights abuses, and involvement in Ninoy Aquino’s 1983 assassination. The controversy highlights unhealed wounds from the Marcos dictatorship and diaspora demands for accountability. Analysts warn the oversight risks alienating a vital community amid ongoing efforts to recover stolen national wealth.
#MarcosUSVisit #FilipinoAmerican #AquinoAssassination
#MartialLawJustice #NeverAgainMarcos #Philippines
Tags: Bongbong Marcos, Ninoy Aquino, People Power Revolution, J. Luce Foundation,
Philippine politics, Filipino diaspora, Imelda Marcos, martial law, human rights, diaspora activism
