Scamfluencers | Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 2 | Episode Summary
Podcast: Scamfluencers
Episode: Imelda Marcos: The First Lady of Excess Part 2 | 181
Hosts: Scaachi Koul & Sarah Hagi
Release Date: October 6, 2025
Main Theme
This episode continues the story of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, the infamous political power couple of the Philippines, focusing on their reign’s unraveling, the escalation of their corruption, the resistance that led to their fall, and the ultimate, stunning resurgence of the Marcos dynasty. The hosts investigate how image, influence, misinformation, and political dynasty combine to allow a corrupt legacy not only to survive but to make a comeback.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Martial Law & Political Repression
- Suppression of Press: The episode opens (01:04) with the incident at the Bulletin newspaper, where the military was deployed to suppress news of opposition hero Ninoy Aquino being ranked above Imelda Marcos in a survey. Soldiers literally stop the presses and try to seize all copies.
- Importance of Image: The hosts discuss how the Marcoses cared obsessively about their public image and went to violent lengths to preserve it. “They don’t want anyone to question their power and authority.” (02:39, Scaachi Cole)
2. Opposition & Ninoy Aquino’s Ordeal
- Imprisonment & Medical Crisis (07:42): After years in solitary confinement, opposition leader Ninoy Aquino suffers two heart attacks. Distrustful of Filipino doctors (whom he believes could be acting on Ferdinand’s orders), he bargains to go to the US for treatment, on the condition he returns and keeps silent.
- Defiance Abroad: Ninoy quickly breaks his promise by campaigning against the Marcoses from the US:
- “A pact with the devil is no pact at all.” (08:16, quoting Ninoy Aquino)
- Intimidation Tactics: Imelda tries to intimidate Ninoy in New York by name-dropping powerful US politicians and warning him of consequences if he doesn’t stop agitating (09:01).
3. Dictatorship, Sham Democracy, and US Relations
- Martial Law "Lifted": Ferdinand Marcos lifts martial law in 1981 (09:32) but retains dictatorial powers under a new constitution, revealing the move as cosmetic.
- US Endorsement: George H.W. Bush praises Marcos’s “adherence to democratic principles” (10:34), a moment the hosts ridicule for its hypocrisy.
4. Plunder of the Philippines
- Imelda’s New York Real Estate Spree (11:30): Imelda manipulates Ferdinand to spend tens of millions in Filipino state funds on Manhattan real estate, justifying it as “strategic investment,” though almost all funds come from Filipino taxpayers.
- Lavish Lifestyle Amidst Poverty: The show contrasts the Marcoses’ opulence with worsening poverty and economic collapse in the Philippines (12:25).
5. The Manila Film Center Disaster (13:40)
- Negligence and Cover-up: In an effort to finish her film festival venue, Imelda pushes dangerously rapid construction. The roof collapses, killing and trapping many workers.
- Scandal Management: Rather than rescue, the regime enforces a 15-hour news blackout and grossly underreports deaths, prioritizing the festival and reputation over lives (15:11).
- “Some of the bodies are literally paved over as she orders new crews to finish the project on time.” (15:37, Scaachi Cole)
6. Escalating Resistance and Ninoy’s Assassination
- Social Unrest: The regime’s brutality intensifies; thousands are tortured, killed, or disappeared; slum dwellers put up barricades against Imelda’s “beautification” drives (16:30).
- Ninoy’s Return & Martyrdom: In August 1983, Ninoy boldly returns, anticipating his likely assassination (18:37). He tells ABC News:
- “If it’s my fate to die by an assassin’s bullet, so be it. But I cannot be petrified by inaction or fear… I have to suffer with my people…” (19:10, Ninoy Aquino)
- Assassination: Ninoy is shot dead on arrival at Manila airport—a killing suspected by many to have been orchestrated by the Marcoses (19:27). His death galvanizes opposition.
7. The Fall of the Marcoses
- Rigged Election & People Power: After Ninoy’s death, Ferdinand stages sham elections (23:08). To his surprise, the people rally behind Cory Aquino, Ninoy’s widow, who gives a stirring speech accepting candidacy:
- “I will never be able to forgive myself if I will have to live with the knowledge that I could have done something and I did not do anything…” (24:33, Cory Aquino)
- Cory vs. Imelda and Ferdinand: The hosts highlight witty jabs during campaigning:
- Cory: “May the better woman win.” (25:23)
- Cory: “Yes, I have no experience in cheating, lying to the public, stealing government money, and killing political opponents.” (26:00)
- Revolution: When the elections are blatantly rigged, millions pour into the streets, culminating in the historic People Power Revolution (27:05).
- Fleeing the Country: The Marcoses escape via US helicopter to Hawaii, leaving behind evidence of massive theft including “more than 1,000 pairs of Imelda’s shoes”—the famous symbol of the regime’s excess (28:16).
8. Aftermath, Justice, and Failed Accountability
- Asset Recovery: Cory Aquino launches the PCGG to recover the billions the Marcoses stole; only a fraction is ever found (30:39).
- Imelda on Trial: Imelda and Ferdinand are indicted in the US for racketeering, but after Ferdinand’s death (33:45), Imelda is acquitted—partly due to lack of evidence and possibly US pressure to avoid implicating American leaders (34:15).
- Victimhood Persona: Imelda plays the victim:
- “Shoes, frivolity, Marie Antoinette in the Philippines, I built houses for 30,000 slum dwellers. I planted 80 million trees…” (33:45, Imelda Marcos in Time magazine)
- Return to Philippines & Political Rebrand: Imelda returns in 1991, welcomed by admirers despite Cory Aquino's resistance (39:24). She is convicted but never serves time, eventually returning to Congress (40:52).
9. The Marcos Restoration
- Political Dynasty Redux: Imelda’s son, BongBong Marcos, pursues—and ultimately achieves—the presidency in 2022 amid massive misinformation and historical revisionism (41:01, 43:58).
- “Bongbong ends up getting 58% of the vote, a margin… not seen since his father’s regime.” (44:11, Scaachi Cole)
- Host Reflections: The hosts express dismay at how easily historical atrocities are revised or forgotten, drawing parallels to Western political dynasties and the power of name recognition (47:26).
- Enduring Impunity: The episode closes with the observation that the Marcoses’ plunder and return illustrate ultimate Nepo baby privilege and how image and narrative can supersede truth and accountability.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Tough Political Dynasties:
“It's crazy for me to imagine seeing my parent or grandparent go through probably, like, one of the worst jobs… and then be like, I'm gonna do it.” (00:45, Sarah Hagi) -
On Martial Law’s Legacy:
“The dictatorship hasn’t ended, it’s just been rebranded.” (09:32, Scaachi Cole) -
On Imelda’s Real Estate Shopping:
“She dares to dream.” (12:25, Scaachi Cole, sarcastically) -
On the Film Center Tragedy:
“No help arrives for nine hours… Instead of offering resources to help, they institute a 15 hour news blackout…” (14:00, hosts) -
On Misinformation and Comeback:
“In fact, they're whitewashing his presidency in online campaigns. Narratives are getting pushed that are blatantly false…” (43:20, Scaachi Cole) -
On Nepo Baby Culture:
“It really is just greed in its purest form where, like, nothing matters at all. Therefore, why not just go all the way?...” (46:42, Sarah Hagi) -
On Imelda’s Responsibility:
“This isn’t, like, some type of woman in the background. Like, she orchestrated this as well. It was by her design.” (48:28, Sarah Hagi)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:04 — Martial law, suppression of newspaper
- 07:42 — Ninoy Aquino’s heart attack and exile
- 11:30 — Imelda Marcos’s New York real estate purchases
- 13:40 — Manila Film Center disaster
- 18:37 — Ninoy Aquino returns, ABC News quote on his life risk
- 19:27 — Ninoy’s assassination at Manila Airport
- 23:08 — Ferdinand Marcos announces snap election, Cory Aquino’s candidacy
- 24:33 — Cory Aquino’s emotional candidacy speech
- 25:23 & 26:00 — Cory’s sharp retorts at Ferdinand and Imelda
- 27:05 — People Power Revolution topples the Marcoses
- 28:16 — Discovery of Imelda’s shoe collection
- 30:39 — Cory’s effort to recover Marcos wealth, scale of theft
- 33:45 — Imelda on trial, iconic “shoes” quotation
- 39:24 — Imelda’s triumphant return to a cheering crowd
- 41:01 — The Marcos family’s political resurgence
- 43:20–44:11 — BongBong’s election, power of misinformation
- 47:26 — Host discussion about dynasties, name recognition, and history repeating
Final Reflections
The episode ends with the hosts’ cynical but witty contemplation on systemic privilege, the allure of dynasties in politics, and how style and PR can shield even the worst actors from accountability. They parallel Imelda’s cult of personality with celebrity culture, quipping about how maybe thirst for attention could be harmlessly quarantined in places “like BravoCon.”
“It really is a testament to how much name recognition works for voters… It’s not surprising that that would happen in a country like the Philippines, which is kind of small.” (47:26, Scaachi Cole)
“There are evil people everywhere, and we may as well reward them in places where it’s safe… Which is why I am going to watch four hours of Bravo when I get home until my eyes bleed.” (49:36, Scaachi Cole)
Conclusion
This rich, darkly humorous episode explores the intersection of image, corruption, and historical amnesia—demonstrating how “scamfluencers” can persist across generations, fueled by charisma, narrative, and relentless ambition. Despite massive theft, suffering, and fall from grace, the Marcos dynasty has rewritten itself for a new era—proving, as the hosts suggest, that when influence and legacy matter more than truth, anyone can make a comeback.