Michael Marcos Keon

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Marcos and the surname or paternal family name is Keon.

The Honourable Michael Marcos Keon
Mayor of Laoag
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2019
Vice mayor	Vicentito M. Lazo (2019–2022) Rey Carlos M. Fariñas (2022–present)
Preceded by	Chevylle V. Fariñas
23rd Governor of Ilocos Norte
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by	Bongbong Marcos
Succeeded by	Imee Marcos
4th President of the Philippine Olympic Committee
In office 1981–1984
Preceded by	Julian Malonso (provisional)
Succeeded by	Jose Sering
Personal details
Born	Michael Edward Marcos Keon (1954-09-22) September 22, 1954 (age 70)
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Independent (2021–present) Nacionalista (2018–2021) Lakas–Kampi–CMD (2008–2010) Lakas–CMD (before 2008)
Relations	Marcos family
Parent(s)	Michael Keon Sr. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA)
Known for	First Executive Director of Project Gintong Alay (1979–1986)

Michael Edward Marcos Keon (born September 22, 1954) is a Filipino politician. Keon is the son of Australian journalist Michael James Keon and Elizabeth E. Marcos-Keon, governor of Ilocos Norte from 1971 to 1983 and the nephew of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.

His mother, the first female vice-governor and governor of Ilocos Norte, was the sister of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.[1] His father worked for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and had a hand in setting up the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna. His father also joined the historic 10,000-km. "Long March" with Mao Zedong during the Chinese Revolution, covering the monumental event for the Chicago Daily Tribune.^[citation needed]

Before entering politics, Keon worked in the sports sector as director of the Gintong Alay program. This project was launched on October 31, 1979 and was intended to ensure the success of Philippine sports to promote and ultimately to achieve gold medals in international events.[2]

Political career

He served as provincial governor of Ilocos Norte from 2007-2010. He was preceded by cousin, Bongbong Marcos and was succeeded by Imee Marcos.

He initially planned to run as mayor of Laoag for 2013 elections but withdrew after Bongbong Marcos convinced him to withdraw his candidacy in favor of then-ABC President Chevylle V. Fariñas, wife of the then-outgoing Mayor Michael V. Fariñas.

In 2018, Keon was appointed by Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos as Laoag City Councilor to fill in a vacant position in the Laoag City Council.[1]

In 2019 elections, he again ran for the same position; this time with the support of the Marcos clan. He defeated the incumbent mayor Chevylle Fariñas. His victory signaled the end of decades-old rule of the Fariñas clan in the city.[3] However, his subsequent reelection bids in 2022 and 2025 did not receive the support of the Marcoses, who endorsed other candidates instead.[4]

References

1. "The City Mayor". Laoag City. Archived from the original on 15 Apr 2023. Retrieved 17 Nov 2023.
2. Michael Keon: From sports to politics, Manila Standard Today, May 19, 2007.
3. "#HalalanResults: Michael Keon beats Fariñas niece to take Laoag mayoral seat". ABS-CBN. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
4. "Marcoses join Laoag mayoral bet as he launches bid to unseat Michael Keon". Rappler. Retrieved October 9, 2024.