Marcos heir says will run for Philippines presidency

The son and namesake of the Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday he will run for president in the 2022 election, as the controversial clan seeks the ultimate political revival.

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr -- who has defended President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial drug war and supported the death penalty for traffickers -- declared his candidacy in a video broadcast on Facebook.

"I will bring... unifying leadership back to our country," the 64-year-old scion said, joining a growing field of contenders seeking to replace Duterte.

"Let us bring Filipinos back to one another in service of our country, facing the crisis and the challenges of the future together."