Republic of the Philippines, The Marcos Regime

The 1965 elections gave the presidency to Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Senate president and Nationalist Party candidate. Rapid economic development created by the American military buildup in Vietnam and ambitious public-works projects, financed by foreign loans, brought prosperity during Marcoss first term. He was easily reelected in 1969, making him the first Philippine president to win a second term. The Marcos government soon faced several challenges on the domestic front, however. Government debt led to lackluster economic growth, while criticism increased over the dominant U.S. economic position in the Philippines. Many Filipinos actively opposed the continued presence of the U.S. military bases and Marcoss support for United States policy in Vietnam. In addition, by the early 1970s two separate forces were waging guerrilla war on the government: the New Peoples Army (NPA), the militant wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that included former Huks, and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a Muslim separatist movement based in the southern islands. Meanwhile, government and opposition political leaders agreed to draft a new constitution to replace the American-authored constitution of 1935. That constitution limited the president to two terms. The delegates in charge of drafting the new constitution never finished their work, however, and the 1973 presidential elections never took place. Marcos, citing the need for national security, declared martial law on September 21, 1972. Congress was dissolved, opposition leaders arrested, and strict censorship imposed. A new constitution was promulgated in January 1973, but transitional provisions attached to it gave Marcos continued absolute power, and elections were indefinitely postponed. Marcos ruled by decree. The United States continued providing military and economic aid to the Philippine government. The countrys continued borrowing and eventual inability to repay its foreign debts led to a severe economic recession in the mid-1980s. Meanwhile, monopolies were established in most sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, media, construction, financial services, and agriculture. Marcos and his wife, Imelda, and their closest associates and relatives controlled these monopolies through a system known as crony capitalism. Marcos ended martial law in 1981, but he retained sweeping emergency powers. Most opposition groups boycotted the elections held in June of that year, and Marcos won another six-year term as president. In 1983 the widely popular opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated upon his return from years in exile. The political archrival of Marcos, he was one of the first opposition leaders to be arrested after the declaration of martial law. The assassination led to mass demonstrations in Manila and revitalized the political opposition. For the first time the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church openly opposed the Marcos regime. Regular strikes and demonstrations demanded Marcoss resignation. Legislative elections were held in 1984 and, despite a boycott by some opposition groups and widespread government vote rigging, opposition parties registered large gains. Meanwhile, a commission concluded that Aquinos murder was the result of a military conspiracy. However, all 25 defendants were summarily acquitted in 1985.

History, part 11 The Ferdinand Marcos Regime (1965-1986)

1965 Ferdinand Marcos was elected President by defeating them incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal who ran for re-election. Macapagal was his former partymate with the Liberal Party. Marcos switched to the Nacionalista Party so that he can be its standard bearer during the presidential elections. 1968 Jose Maria Sison reestablished the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 27, 1968. 1969 Ferdinand Marcos was reelected president with overwhelming votes. He was the first president of the present Philippine Republic to win a second term of office. But his popularity declined rapidly after his reelection because of allegations of election fraud and widespread graft and corruption. Gloria Diaz won the Miss Universe contest held in Miami Beach, Florida. The then 18-year old sophomore student from St. Scholastica's College in Manila was the first ever Filipina to win the prestigious international beauty pageant. 1971 A political proclamation rally of the opposition Liberal party at Plaza Miranda, in Quiapo, Manila on Agust, 21 1971, was attacked by unknown assailants when two hand grenades were thrown into the crowd injuring many of the its political leaders notably Senators Sergio Osmena and Jovito Salonga. In response, President Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus to contain the looming political disorder and unrest. 1972 The writ of habeas corpus was restored on January 11, 1972. On September 21, 1972. President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 1081 declaring the entire country under martial law to "save the Republic" from crime and violence. Marcos ruled by decree, abolished Congress, and created the semiparliament Batasang Pambansa. Many private businesses were taken over by the government. The press and other media were severely curtailed. Many opposition leaders and individuals critical of the Marcos administration disappeared, imprisoned, or went into exile. Among the prominent opposition leaders arrested were Senators Jovito salonga, Jose Diokno, and Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. 1981 Ferdinand Marcos officially lifted martial law but he retained vast power of arrest and detention. The lifting of martial law was seen as an attempt to appease the powerful Roman catholic church because of the impending visit of Pope John Paul II. The Philippine Constitution of 1973 was amended. A presidential election was called which was boycotted by the opposition. Marcos ran against a political unknown retired General Alejo Santos. 1983 Political opposition leader former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (MIA) on August 21, 1983. He was returning to the Philippines from exile in the United States reportedly to lead the opposition against the government of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Ninoy Aquino's murder inspired the EDSA People's Power revolution that eventually led to the peaceful overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos from power. In later years MIA was renamed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in honor of the slain opposition leader.

1984 The Philippine Constitution of 1973 was amended for the second time. The first amendment was done in 1981. 1986 Thirty (30) computer technicians of the Commission of Elections (COMELEC) staged a dramatic walk-out of their jobs on February 9, 1986. They were reported protesting an order to tamper with the presidential election returns in favor of President Marcos. Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff General Fidel Ramos defected from the Marcos administration and led a military mutiny on February 23, 1986. Their forces holed up at Camp Crame in Quezon City where people gathered along the EDSA Highway near the camp to protect them from being attacked by pro-administration soldiers. Unable to quell the popular, but peaceful, people's revolt, President Marcos left Malacanang Palace and went into exile in Hawaii two days later. ABS-CBN resumed commercial operations in February 1986 during the height of the EDSA People's Power revolution. The 20-year rule of President Marcos ended when the "People Power" movement in Metro Manila installed Corazon C. Aquino, the widow of slain Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., as President. Corazon Aquino and Salvador Laurel were sworn into office on February 25, 1986 after the snap elections. Aquino's presidency signalled a return to democracy but it was marked by several coup attempts from a small faction of the military which undermined the political and economic stability of her administration.