In pics: Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr sworn in as Philippines' 17th President. Critics fear 'bleak future'

Marcos Jr took his oath of office at the National Museum of Fine Arts in the capital Manila before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

The 64-year-old leader is the son and namesake of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., whose 21-year kleptocratic rule of the country from 1965 to 1986 was marked by human rights abuses, widespread corruption, and plunder of the state coffers.

In his inauguration speech, Marcos Jr. said his "call for unity" resonated with the people to "deliver the biggest electoral mandate in the history of Philippine democracy."

"This is a historic moment for us all," he said. "You picked me to be your servant, to enable changes to benefit all. I fully understand the gravity of responsibility you put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly but I am ready for the task."

Marcos Jr. catapulted to a spectacular victory because of his use of social media like Tik-Tok, Facebook, and YouTube. Through these mediums, he was able to rehabilitate his family’s history and present his father’s reign as a “golden period” of the country.

His campaigns — widely condemned as misinformation — have been running for decades, and have been especially effective with younger voters who did not see or may not remember the Marcos era, and who typically spend a lot of time on social media.

(L) Marcos Jr.'s ascendancy to the throne marks the end of a six-year term for Rodrigo Duterte (R), whose legacy is tied to a nationwide crackdown on drugs that has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people, according to police.

Duterte's administration targeted civil society and the media -- slapping tax evasion charges on local, independent media outlets that challenged the government's policies and claims, and arresting editors, reports CNN. 

Marcos won the election with 31.6 million votes, or 58.77% of ballots cast -- a margin not seen in decades -- and replaces outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

His running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the former President's daughter, was sworn in as vice president on June 19, and they will serve until 2028.

As President, Marcos will have huge influence over the government agencies that are seeking to recover the $10 billion stolen during his father’s rule. 

The Marcos family continue to defy court orders and often appeals unfavourable rulings. Imelda Marcos, Bongbong’s 92-year-old mother, is appealing the guilty verdicts passed in seven different corruption charges in 2018; each conviction carries a prison sentence up to 11 years.