Bongbong in Australia for 'much needed rest' —spox

Presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is in Australia for a "much needed rest and vacation" after a grueling election campaign, his spokesperson said Tuesday.

At a press briefing, Atty. Vic Rodriguez said Marcos, who was with his family, will return to the Philippines on Thursday.

"It's more of a private trip, a private visit for a much needed rest and vacation of President-elect Bongbong," Rodriguez said, adding that Marcos' trip was confirmed by Philippine Ambassador to Australia Helen dela Vega.

"I think he just wants to enjoy the remaining few days before he assumes officially as the President of the Republic," Rodriguez said. "Pinipilit na lang niyang i-enjoy momentarily ang kanyang pagiging citizen Bongbong." 

A Reuters report citing the Age newspaper said Marcos' trip to Australia was greeted with protest. 

The protesters, the report said, gathered outside an address in central Melbourne. 

Rodriguez called the protest by Filipinos in Australia "shameful," adding that the Australian government, not the Filipinos living there, should decide whether Marcos is welcome.

"Nakakahiya. Nakakahiya bilang Pilipino, nakakahiya... hindi ugali ng Pilipino na hiyain at pahiyain ang kapwa niya Pilipino sa isang bansa na hindi naman Pilipinas," Rodriguez said.

"I think the best authority or person to say whether he is welcome or not is the Australian government, not fellow Filipinos na nandoon lang din dahil punong-puno ng poot at pait ang puso. Uulitin ko wala sa kaugalian nating mga Pilipino ang hiyain ang kapwa mo Pilipino sa ibang bansa," he added.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already congratulated Marcos on his impending victory in the presidential election. 

"Nakapagusap na rin ang pinuno ng bansang Australia, His Excellency Prime Minister Morrison, at ang ating President-elect Bongbong Marcos kung saan ay nagpahatid ng congratulatory message ang pinuno ng bansang Australia dahil sa integridad na naganap sa ating halalan noong Lunes," Rodriguez said.

"Kanya ring ipinahayag ang kanyang pagbati sa sambayanang Pilipino dahil payapa nating nairaos ang pinakademokratikong uri ng pamimili ng lider and he affirmed 'yung kanyang gobyerno na patuloy na mainit at close interaction at pakikipagugnayan sa Republika ng Pilipinas at pagbati na rin sa malinaw at malinis na tagumpay ni President-elect Bongbong," he added.

Marcos' father died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. Under his dictatorship, his family and cronies amassed an estimated $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth, a government-appointed commission found. Tens of thousands of suspected communist rebels and political foes were jailed, beaten or killed. 

A former senator, Bongbong Marcos earlier appealed to the world to judge him not by his ancestors but by his actions. —KBK/VBL, GMA News