Obama references Marcos dictatorship; Bongbong, Enrile, Gringo present

MANILA, Philippines — Did United States President Barack Obama offend the likes of Senators Gregorio Honasan and Juan Ponce Enrile who were in attendance when he praised President Benigno Aquino III's parents for challenging the dictator they served?

Hong Kong-based international newspaper South China Morning Post pointed out that Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the iron-fisted Philippine president was also among the guests in the state reception Monday for Obama at Malacañang.

The Post said Marcos Jr. listened to the US leader as he praised Senator Ninoy Aquino and President Corazon Aquino for showing the world "that true power lies with people." Marcos' rule ended through the People Power Revolution in 1986, when the late senator's wife was installed president.

Obama also hailed the president for bearing the scars from gunshot wounds by "those who would have taken this nation backwards" in the Martial Law period. Enrile, who was among the dinner guests, was Marcos' right-hand man and confidant.

Aquino suffered from five gunshot wounds during an ambush in 1987 led by Honasan.

"You carry on your family's noble tradition of service—in your commitment to the dignity and prosperity of the Filipino people. We also see the spirit of this nation in all that you have overcome—colonialism and occupation, invasion and dictatorship," Obama continued, referring to the occupations of Spain, the United States, and Japan, and the Marcos regime.

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