Filipinos Featured on Time's 100 Most Influential List
President Bongbong Marcos has been included in Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2024. The annual list puts a spotlight on individuals from around the globe who have made a significant impact in various fields such as politics, business, entertainment, science, and more.
Author Charlie Campbell cited Marcos's initiatives to bring back technocrats into government positions, stabilize the Philippine economy post-pandemic, and elevate the nation's global standing, as reasons for the chief executive's inclusion on the list.
Campbell also highlighted Marcos's leadership strategy amid rising geopolitical tensions: "Bongbong has stood steadfast against Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea and bolstered his nation’s alliance with the U.S. in the face of 'rising tensions in our region and the world,' as he said last May. Many problems persist, including extrajudicial killings and journalists routinely attacked. But by trying to repair his family name, Bongbong may reshape his country too."
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Over the years, Filipinos have made their mark on Time's Most Influential list. They are:
Manny Pacquiao, 2009
Pound for pound the best boxer in the world, Pacquiao is recognized for his power in the ring but also for "his dedication, grace, and class," in a sport often marred by controversy. "The grip he holds over the Philippines is similar to Nelson Mandela's influence in South Africa," reads the Time article. He has also been predicted to become the president of the Philippines one day.
Noynoy Aquino, 2013
The demise of his mother, Corazon Aquino, in August 2009, propelled Noynoy into the presidency in 2010. During his term (2010 to 2016), Aquino became notable for enacting the reproductive rights bill, previously thought to be impossible in a Catholic nation. He was also known for his bold stance against Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Rodrigo Duterte, 2017
Duterte consistently topped Time's reader poll that year, asking readers who they believed should be included in the 2017 TIME 100 list. He garnered 5% of the votes, followed closely by notable figures like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pope Francis, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, each receiving 3% of the "yes" votes. The feature highlighted Duterte's "controversial anti-drug campaign," which, according to Reuters, "has killed more than 8,000 people in the Phillippines."
Leila de Lima, 2017
She's been known as Duterte's most vocal critic. In August of that year, de Lima launched a Senate investigation into the killings associated with Duterte's drug war. His supporters subsequently removed de Lima from her position as Justice Committee chair, and by February, she was imprisoned. Even behind bars, de Lima continued to denounce the president, saying, "It's not OK with me that we have a murderous psychopath occupying the highest post in the land."
Maria Ressa, 2019
The Filipino journalist has dedicated herself to uncovering corruption, documenting violations, and fighting misinformation via her news site, Rappler. That year, Ressa found herself arrested and detained under a contentious "cyber-libel" law. Nonetheless, her resolve remains unwavering. In her speech at the National Democratic Institute, where she was an honoree, Ressa declared, “We are journalists, and we will not be intimidated. We will shine the light. We will hold the line.”
