Francis Leo Marcos, 42, is an internet personality with over a million subscribers on YouTube who rose to fame because of his viral “Mayaman Challenge” where he claimed to be a wealthy businessman donating to the poor while calling out the rich for failing to do the same.
Marcos also claims to be related to the late ousted dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos but the latter's family has refuted this. His real name, according to the National Bureau of Investigation, is Norman Mangusin.
He was arrested by the NBI on May 19, 2020, for violating the Optometry Act with his unauthorized distribution of eyeglasses in Baguio City. The NBI also said that it was verifying reports of arrest warrants for human trafficking in 2006 and violence against women and children in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. Marcos claimed that he was simply being persecuted by those offended by his Mayaman Challenge.
Marcos was further slapped with charges of identity concealment and violation of the Passport Law. The NBI also disclosed that he had several pending estafa cases.
The Securities and Exchange Commission in advisories posted in 2020 flagged entities operating under the name of Francis Leo Marcos or Norman A. Maguisin which were falsely claiming to be registered corporations with the SEC and soliciting donations from the public without any prior registration, license and accreditation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In particular, the SEC warned the public against dealing with Filipino Family Club International Inc., a foundation engaged in soliciting donations for “dubious humanitarian activities” but is non-compliant with the Revised Omnibus Rules on Public Solicitation or the Solicitation Permit Law of the Philippines.
The NBI suspects that donations gathered through the foundation are being used to finance Marcos’ current senatorial bid. Marcos has denied any involvement with the foundation, saying that it was formed by his supporters and social media followers.
This is Marcos’ second bid for the Senate. He was disqualified from the 2013 elections by the Commission on Elections because he was below the 35-year-old minimum age requirement mandated by the 1987 Constitution.
He is running on a platform of education, poverty eradication, agriculture, healthcare and the economy.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
- Strengthen the law on free education for the poor
- Reduce the cost of education
- Open jobs in eco-friendly industries
- Provide free sacks of rice to the poor
- Grow the economy with a rise of 70% gross domestic product
- Push for the cultivation of rice and vegetables
- Increase agricultural growth at par with Thailand and Vietnam
- Expressed support for the Duterte administration’s existing independent foreign policy; highlighted the need to block outside interference in the country’s affairs
- Preserve national sovereignty and territory (including the Exclusive Economic Zone)
- Enjoyment of our natural resources without fear of outside interference
- Expressed support for the Duterte administration’s existing independent foreign policy; highlighted the need to block outside interference in the country’s affairs
- Preserve national sovereignty and territory (including the Exclusive Economic Zone)
- Enjoyment of our natural resources without fear of outside interference
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Private Sector
Marcos is an internet personality who went viral on social media through his “Mayaman Challenge”, which he started in March 2020 in response to the needs of the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these videos, Marcos portrays himself as a wealthy businessman who donates to the poor, while calling out the rich for failing to do the same. Marcos has since styled himself as a “Pandemic Hero.” In one of his recent videos, Marcos claims to have helped 6 million Filipinos through his donations and various humanitarian activities. However, this claim remains questionable due to the absence of a clear accounting of these donations.
Marcos claimed to be related to former President Marcos. Some reports say that he is the nephew of Fortuna Marcos Barba, sister of the late dictator. However, the Marcos family has denied this claim.
Marcos was arrested by the NBI on May 19, 2020 for violating the Optometry Act with his unauthorized distribution of eyeglasses in Baguio City. After the arrest, the NBI also said that it was verifying reports of warrants of arrest for past criminal charges, namely violence against women and qualified human trafficking in 2006 and traficking violence against women and children in Gapan, Neuva Ecija. Marcos has denied all allegations and claimed that he was simply being persecuted by those offended by his Mayaman Challenge.
According to the NBI, Marcos’ real name is Norman Mangusin. Marcos, in a number of interviews, admitted that he grew up using the name Norman, and was allegedly later informed by his mother about his relation to the prominent Marcos family.
In advisories posted on May 28 and Aug. 31, 200, the SEC has warned the public about entities operating under the name FRANCIS LEO MARCOS FAMILY CLUB INCORPORATED by Francis Leo A. Marcos or Norman A. Mangusin and FILIPINO FAMILY CLUB INTERNATIONAL INC. formerly or a variation of the FRANCIS LEO MARCOS FAMILY CLUB INCORPORATED or FLM FAMILY CLUB, INC. by Francis Leo A. Marcos or Norman A. Mangusin, which were falsely claiming to be registered as corporations with the SEC and soliciting donations from the public without any prior registration, license and/or accreditation from the DSWD.
Representatives of the Marcos family have also disclaimed any connection to the “Marcos Group of Companies”, for which Marcos supposedly serves as chief executive officer since 2005. There are no publicly available records of the company’s registration and/or operations. Investigations by news outlets have also failed to confirm claims that Marcos attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
The NBI suspects that donations gathered through the foundation are being used to finance Marcos’ current senatorial bid. Marcos, himself, has denied any involvement with the foundation, saying that it was formed by his supporters and social media followers.
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
After Marcos’ May 19, 2020 arrest, the NBI also said that it was verifying reports of warrants of arrest for past criminal charges, namely violence against women and qualified human trafficking in 2006 and traficking violence against women and children in Gapan, Neuva Ecija. Marcos has denied all allegations and claimed that he was simply being persecuted by those offended by his Mayaman Challenge.
In advisories posted on May 28 and Aug. 31, 200, the Securities and Exchange Commission has warned the public about entities operating under the name FRANCIS LEO MARCOS FAMILY CLUB INCORPORATED by Francis Leo A. Marcos or Norman A. Mangusin and FILIPINO FAMILY CLUB INTERNATIONAL INC. formerly or a variation of the FRANCIS LEO MARCOS FAMILY CLUB INCORPORATED or FLM FAMILY CLUB, INC. by Francis Leo A. Marcos or Norman A. Mangusin, which were falsely claiming to be registered as corporations with the SEC and soliciting donations from the public without any prior registration, license and/or accreditation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In particular, the SEC warned the public against dealing with FFCII, a foundation that is engaged in soliciting donations for “dubious humanitarian activities” but is non-compliant with the Revised Omnibus Rules on Public Solicitation or the Solicitation Permit Law of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 1564).
The NBI suspects that donations gathered through the foundation are being used to finance Marcos’ current senatorial bid. Marcos has denied any involvement with the foundation, saying that it was formed by his supporters and social media followers.
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrested for the alleged unauthorized distribution of eyeglasses in violation of Republic Act No. 8050, or the Revised Optometry Law of 1995 | Arrested by NBI on May 19, 2020 | ||
| Alleged use of three passports under different names in violation of R.A. No. 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 | Criminal complaints filed by the NBI on May 21, 2020 | ||
| Alleged concealment of his true name in violation of the Revised Penal Code | Criminal complaints filed by the NBI on May 21, 2020 | ||
| Alleged incitement to sedition for his “Mayaman Challenge” which supposedly incites hatred towards wealthy individuals | Criminal complaints filed by the NBI on May 21, 2020 | ||
| Under investigation for large scale estafa, qualified human trafficking, and violence against women | Announced by the NBI in May 2020 | ||
| Under investigation for illegal solicitation in violation of P.D. No. 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law. | SEC Advisory issued on May 28, 2021 |
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
On Dec. 16, 2021, the Commission on Elections Second Division junked a petition by its own Law Department seeking to declare Marcos a nuisance candidate. The petition alleged that Marcos was only running to make a mockery of the election process, citing his alleged lack of a bona fide intention to become a senator and his inability to launch a nationwide campaign.
Comelec’s decision stated that Marcos had social media popularity and a significant modicum of support. Notably, however, his Facebook page has not yet been verified by Comelec despite its recent rule requiring the verification of candidates’ social media accounts for the uploading of political advertisements.
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
• Claims to be the chief executive officer of the Marcos Group of Companies but there are no publicly available records of registration and/or operations
