Filipino politician and sportsman Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc hails from Ilocos Norte in the country.
He was a senior provincial board member representing Ilocos Norte’s second legislative district from 2016 to 2019, and he is currently the province’s governor.
The youngest child of Tommy La’O Manotoc and Imee Romualdez Marcos, Manotoc was born in Morocco on December 9, 1988.
He belongs to the Marcos family. His parents apparently lived under false passports when exiled in Morocco at the time of his birth.
He departed for the United States in 2006 to attend Claremont McKenna College.
Matthew Joseph Manotoc Career
In the 2016 local elections in the Philippines, Manotoc ran and won a seat on the provincial board to represent the 2nd legislative district of Ilocos Norte.
He was also appointed as the Senior Provincial Board Member of Ilocos Norte, making him the province’s third-highest official.
He served as the Ilocos Norte Chapter Chairman of the National Movement of Young Legislators from 2016 to 2019.
He ran unopposed for governor of Ilocos Norte in the 2019 Philippine elections to succeed his mother, who campaigned for senator.
When he took office, one of his goals was to improve public health initiatives and medical facilities in order to make health services more inclusive and accessible.
He began his signature initiative, “NariMAT Nga Aglawlaw,” in October 2019, with the goal of supporting Ilocos Norte’s push for a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment.
Matthew Joseph Manotoc Personal Life
He is the great-grandson of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady and convicted felon who was also the tyrant and kleptocrat Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Golf and basketball are Manotoc’s two favorite sports.
He co-founded Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management and served as basketball coach at the International School Manila.
He reportedly dated Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell in 2019, according to reports.
