Philippine Dictator's Son Becomes President, Denny Siregar: So Don't Get Tired Of Using Social Media For Political Education

Social media activist Denny Siregar called for political education on social media so that Indonesia would not be like the Philippines. (Facebook)

JAKARTA - Social media activist Denny Siregar assesses that the socio-political conditions in Indonesia are similar to the neighboring Philippines. He also called for education on social media to educate the public to be politically literate.

Denny reflected on Ferdinand Marcos Jr or Bongbong who won the 2022 Philippine Presidential Election. Bongbong was the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos who had ruled for 36 years in the Philippines until it was finally overthrown by the revolution.

"So, never get tired of using social media to provide political education to the public," said Denny on his Twitter account, @Dennysiregar7, Thursday 12 May.

According to Denny, the future of the Indonesian nation is in the hands of young people. As a generation that became the forerunner to substitute national figures, it is appropriate for young people to provide good political education on social media.

"Because it will be us who will determine the direction of this nation in the future," he added.

Denny also joked that his invitation was like the Chancellor of Ibn Chaldun University (UIC) Musni Umar who was often critical of the administration of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"I'm like Musni Umar Belon?" said Denny.

As is known, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became the elected president of the Philippines after defeating his toughest rival, former Vice President Leni Robredo. Now the Philippines is again under the control of the Marcos dynasty.

Ferdinand Marcos was exiled to Hawaii shortly after his rule in the Philippines ended. Since the departure of Marcos and his family in 1986, the Philippines has been free from autocratic rule.

However, Bongbong decided to return to the Philippines in 1991. Following in his father's footsteps into politics, Bongbong then sat in the Congress seat to the Senate.