Ben Contreras THIS time, let me take the position of a devil’s advocate. It’s not alarming but intriguing how the young ones today show their fascination for Bongbong Marcos. Clearly, there is an ongoing attempt to portray that life or the country in general was in better hands during the Marcos era. Was it the fault of the succeeding administrations by not making the evils of martial law part of our history? Or was it because the alleged evils of martial law regime were overblown? The absence of social media decades ago made it difficult for people to know some truth about the new crop of leaders after Marcos. The media giants have gained back their businesses. Being only a few, they control the news and can manipulate truth, presenting lies as gospel truth. What was Edsa all about, change? My first criticism of the Cory administration was, after ousting Marcos and establishing a revolutionary government, why did Cory still use the presidential decrees of Marcos? Was it to justify her acts? Can some legal experts offer an answer to this nagging question? Marcos’s supporters to this day--and they are aplenty--are challenging the “antis” by enumerating what Marcos did for the country. The mega projects like highways and vital organ centers still stand tall today. What have the succeeding presidents done? The youth of the Marcos era are the seniors of today. They fought and offered their lives for the country. Those who survived are the messengers of history. Are they presenting the youth of today enough truth about martial law? If I were to be one among the youth today, I would ask these questions: What are the evils of Martial Law? Why continue to portray Marcos as evil? Marcos had done a lot if that litany of Marcos achievements is to be believed. Killing, missing people, corruption, these were attributed to Marcos. Why, are these not happening today or after Marcos was deposed? Duterte would not have been Duterte if the post-Marcos era has been the opposite of the martial law regime. The propagandas going on in social media are telling us the dark sides of the Aquino. Aren’t they believable? Well, it will always depend on whose side of the fence you are. A recent report was about two UP political groups uniting against Bongbong. But try to get a consensus of the student body. A seasoned political figure in the city told me that, chances are, the consensus would be favorable to Bongbong. Why? Like I said before, the youth of today are not seeing any difference between today and the Marcos era. Again, that litany of Marcos achievements, give it enough publicity, and chances are, the youth of today will be fascinated. I am not saying Marcos is good. I am saying that the “antis” are losing in this propaganda war. Here in our midst is a family known for being radical, not exactly leftist. A member of the family is now working for Bongbong Marcos. Is it ironic? Not at all, if you are a pragmatist. This person may have discovered that the Marcoses are not really what their enemies portray them to be. History has judged the Marcoses. History will also judge the Aquinos (Ninoy, Cory and PNoy). The anti- Marcos sector needs to do a lot of homework against the onslaught of the pro-Marcoses. As usual, it is the victors who write history.