He won by a margin not seen since before his father's autocratic, 1965-1986 rule, an era characterized by corruption, martial law and unashamed extravagance of the first family, a narrative his campaign sought to upend.

Marcos' wife and three sons were also present in Congress, where their family has won a seat in almost every election since its return from exile in the 1990s. Also attending was 92-year-old matriarch Imelda, the influential power-broker, who received loud applause from the house as she posed for pictures.

He is almost certain to command a legislative supermajority, with sister Imee a senator, son Ferdinand a congressman and cousin Martin Romualdez, the house majority leader expected to be named speaker, demonstrating the extent of the power the family will wield.

He has said his focus areas will be energy prices, jobs, infrastructure and education.

Marcos is still assembling his cabinet, which will need to navigate high inflation, government debt and a tricky foreign policy balance with ally the United States and an increasingly influential China.

Despite the margin of victory, Marcos' rule will be divisive, with widespread anger among opponents and victims of persecution over what they see as historical revisionism to clear the family's name.

Imee Marcos on Wednesday said the family was "very, very grateful for a second chance" in power.