“BATAS MILITAR”

Development of the Marcos Regime

2 Political Parties during the Marcos Regime
1. Nacionalista (Administration)
2. Liberal (Opposition – Jovito Salonga, Benigno Aquino)

Suspension of Writ of Habeas Corpus – anyone can be arrested without due process
Constitutional Convention – the aim was to change the term of government from presidential to parliamentary
Oplan Sagittarius – the blueprint of Martial Law
Juan Ponce Enrile – Martial Law Administrator; the most powerful government official after the imposition of the martial law.

Rolex 12 – they helped in the secret planning of Martial Law. The Rolex Twelve is composed of the following according to the book
“Waltzing with a Dictator” by Raymond Bonner
1. Juan Ponce enrile 5. Rafael Zagala 9. Hilario Ruiz
2. Fabaian Ver 6. Ignacio Paz 10. Alfredo Montoya
3. Gen. Romeo Espino 7. Jose Rancudo 11. Romeo Gatan
4. Fidel V. Ramos 8. Tomas Diaz 12. Danding Cojuangco

Primitivo Mijares – he wrote the book entitled “The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos” He fell afoul with Imelda
Marcos’ brother Kokoy Romualdez.

1969 – Ferdinand Marcos is elected to a second term as the President of the Republic. There are allegations of electoral fraud. Heavy
campaign spending causes the economy to falter, the <span>peso is devalued </span>
1971 – Marcos’ Nacionalista Party is defeated by the opposition in the senatorial elections.
1973 – Marcos pushes for a constitutional convention which will allow him to run again in 1973

Marcos’ Plan to stay in the position:

PLAN A – change the government system from presidential to parliamentary
PLAN B – to declare Martial Law

Ninoy Aquino said in a privilege speech that the Philippines is slowly turning into a “garrison state”
First Quarter Storm – the most violent confrontation, activists stormed the gates of the presidential palace.

Effects of Martial Law:

- Devaluation of Peso
- Unemployment rose
- Agriculture and industry slowed down
August 21, 1971, PLAZA MIRANDA – At the Liberal Party Rally on Plaza Miranda, two fragmentation grenades were hurled into the stage.
Wounded Liberal Party leaders: Jovito Salonga
- Plaza Miranda – the place had become a symbol of democracy and freedom of speech
CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) – established on December 26, 1968
NPA – New People’s Army
Bernabe Buscayno – a rebel, better known as Commander Dante
Gen. Romeo Espino – the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He wrote the original Oplan Sagittarius report.
Crony Capitalism – it’s in the book

Imelda Marcos – former First Lady. “Rosas ng Tacloban.” She was also called “Marcos’ secret weapon” and “The iron butterfly” because
she had the beauty of a butterfly and the toughness of steel. “The other president”. She was also famed for spending public funds.
She put up all sorts of buildings:
1. Folk Arts Theatre 4. Lung Center 7. Cultural Center
2. Philippine International Convention Center 5. Kidney Center
3. Heart Center 6. Film Center

For her daughter Irene’s wedding, Imelda Marcos spent 1 Million U.S. Dollars to have the Ilocos Norte Church repaired.
A favourite project of Imelda was the Manila Film Center. It was rushed for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF)
- During Marcos’ second term as president, he declared the Philippines as a land reformed country.
Geny Lopez – nephew of former Vice President Fernando Lopez, he was arrested and jailed for being accused of involvement in the Marcos
Assassination plot.
Marcos got the electric company Meralco and the TV network ABS-CBN.
- During his term, the Marcos’ controlled 48 companies.
- Imelda’s favourite brother “kokoy Romualdez” acquired 11 large companies.

Marcos’ Cronies:
Rodolfo Cuenca – he got the cpntract to build freeways
Antonio Floirendo – banana plantation
Ricardo Silverio – sole distributor of Toyota
Herminio Desini – cigarette filter monopoly
Roberto Benedicto – radio TV network
Eduardo Cojuangco – coconut monopoly
- Marcos brought technocrafts into the government such as, Vicente Paterno, Gerardo Sicat and Cesar Virata. These three were known
professional managers.
- The CPP and NPA grew stronger
National Democratic Fund – it was organized as a leftist alliance advocating armed struggle
Ninoy Aquino
- Headed an opposition alliance called Laban/ Lakas ng Bayan
- April 8, 1978 – noise barrage
Doris Nuval-Baffrey – she smuggled in a bomb at a meeting in Manila of the American Society of Travel Agents
- Because of the weakening economy, a new president of the US (Ronald Raegan), and the Pope’s visit, Marcos lifted Martial Law.