The Rise and Fall of Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos made history by becoming the first president of the independent Republic to be re-elected. Very popular in his first term and decreasingly so in his second term. The imposition of martial law marked the beginning of the Marcos dictatorship. As a congressman, Marcos had built himself a small fortune through corruption. As president, corruption escalated to new heights never before seen. Although martial law initially had a stabilising effect on the economy, the rampant graft and corruption and the rise of crony capitalism would eventually bleed the Philippine economy dry. Shortly after Marcos proclaimed the end of martial law, he announced the establishment of a New Republic (the Fourth Republic) of the Philippines. The assassination of Senator Ninoy Aquino and the fraudulent elections of 1986 were the final straw. Civilian protesting and a military defect resulted in the EDSA Revolution or People Power Revolution. In an historical moment, Ferdinand Marcos was forced to flee the country.
The Demise of the Third Republic
December 30, 1965: Ferdinand Marcos is elected president for the first time. He maintains popularity during his first term with a spending program on public works, which includes building roads, bridges, health centres, schools and beautification projects.
August 8, 1967: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is created after a summit held in Manila.
December 26, 1968: The New Communist Party of the Philippines is founded by Jose Ma. Sison. The original Communist Party of the Philippines was subdued by President Magsaysay.
December 30, 1969: Ferdinand Marcos is re-elected for a second term. Later into his term, his popularity begins to decline. Criticism begins to grow from the dishonesty of his 1969 campaign and his lack of response concerning the issue of bribery and corruption within the government, human rights violations, high student tuition fees, militarisation, abuses of the military, the presence of the US military bases and the subservience of the Marcos administration to US interests and policies. Poverty and violence increase as the population grows faster than the economy. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) take advantage of the growing discontent with the Marcos administration to increase number and strength. The CPP also forms the New People's Army (NPA), a communist guerrilla army. Fighting erupts in Muslim Mindanao with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Labour strikes and student protests follow.
January 1970: The most violent student protest takes place as thousands of students try to storm the gates of Malacañan Palace (Battle of Mendiola).
June 1, 1971: The 1971 Constitutional Convention is held to review and rewrite the 1935 Constitution with Carlos Garcia elected as president.
June 14, 1971: Carlos Garcia dies from a heart attack. Diosdado Macapagal replaces Garcia as president of the Constitutional Convention. The convention is tarnished by a number of scandals. The 1935 Constitution stated that the president may not serve more than eight consecutive years in office. Some delegates are bribed into voting against this in the new constitution, meaning Marcos could continue in power after his second term ended. Delegate Eduardo Quintero was harassed by the government for exposing the bribery attempt.
August 21, 1971: A Liberal Party rally being held at the Plaza Miranda is bombed. Marcos blames the communists.
Martial Law Period
September 21, 1972: Marcos issues Proclamation No. 1081 which places the entire country under martial law.
September 22, 1972: Marcos justifies the need for martial law after a staged assassination of Juan Ponce Enrile, the Secretary of Defence. Proclamation No. 1081 is signed into effect.
September 23, 1972: Marcos addresses to the nation concerning the need for martial law. He imposes curfew, bans public assemblies, outlaws protest movements and takes control of the media. Senator Ninoy Aquino of the Liberal Party had become increasingly popular with the people, and an increasing political threat to Marcos. He is amongst the first of the 30,000 people to be arrested which also includes political opposition, journalists, critics, activists, communists and other such forces that contribute to deterioration of the law to be detained under martial law. While the 1935 Constitution stated the president may not serve more than eight consecutive years in office, it was not very specific about how long martial law should last, leaving it to the president's own judgement.
January 17, 1973: Marcos brings in a new constitution, which replaces Congress with a National Assembly (the semi-parliament, Batasang Pambansa), and extends the presidential term from four years to six with no limit on the number of terms. With pay rises and selective promotions, Marcos uses the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under General Fabian Ver, his means of maintaining power. With his wife, family and friends, he establishes monopolies in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing and financial sectors (this would eventually lead to the extraction of billions from the Philippine economy). Political parties are suspended. The only time political parties are permitted to resurface was for elections for either the National Assembly or elections held for local offices (such as mayor and governor offices).
Throughout the second term: To encourage economic growth, Marcos implements a number of economic programs. Farmers are given technical and financial aid and other incentives. By 1976, the Philippines is self-sufficient in rise and begins exporting. To attract foreign capital, investors are offered incentives, such as tax exemption and bringing out profits in foreign currencies. The number of tourists increases from 200,000 per year to 1,000,000 in 1980. The economic growth rate averages 6% - 7% during 1970 - 1980 compared with 5% in the previous decade. The GNP of the Philippines increases from P55 billion in 1972 to P193 billion in 1980. However, the economic boom is largely debt driven with the Philippines becoming increasingly dependent upon loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank with heavy borrowing from other banks and organisations. Debt rises from US$2.3 billion in 1970 to US$24.4 billion in 1983. Corruption within the government remains high and an estimated 10% of the GNP is being pocketed.
June 9, 1975: Relations with China are established. Marcos announces to the people his policies of establishing relations with communist and socialist countries.
June 2, 1976: Relations with the USSR are established.
November 25, 1977: A military court finds Ninoy Aquino guilty of subversion. He is sentenced to death. However, the sentence is not put into effect.
January 30, 1980: The United National Democratic Organisation (UNIDO) is founded by Salvador Laurel who turns away from President Marcos.
May 1980: After developing heart disease in prison, Ninoy Aquino is released and exiled to the US for treatment.
January 17, 1981: Marcos issues Proclamation No. 2045, lifting martial law. However, all the orders and decrees issued under martial law are still in effect. Martial law is lifted to show Filipinos and the world that the situation in the Philippines is back to normal and to show the 1973 Constitution and the government are working smoothly. However, Marcos maintains his vast powers and authoritarian rule. Communist guerrillas also contribute to the lifting of martial law by a campaign of bomb attacks in Metro Manila in an attempt to end martial law.
The Fourth Republic
June 16, 1981: In the first election since martial law, Marcos is declared the winner with 88% of the vote. Very few actually vote in the election.
June 30, 1981: Marcos takes his oath of office for a six-year term. He announces the establishment of a New Republic of the Philippines.
August 21, 1983: Ninoy Aquino arrives at Manila International Airport after returning from the US. As he prepares to descend the steps from the plane to ground level, he is shot in the back of the head by the military escort. The business community loses confidence by the assassination and capital begins to leave the country at about US$12 million a day.
August 31, 1983: Nearly two million people join Ninoy Aquino's funeral procession.
October 1983: The Central Bank of the Philippines is forced to notify its creditors that it is unable to meet the obligations on its US$24.4 billion debt. The Peso suffers a 21% devaluation. The country is bankrupt.
October 1984: The Agrava Commission, which Marcos had appointed to investigate the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, releases a report. The commission's findings reveal a military conspiracy and lists 26 names including General Fabian Ver. Originally, Marcos appointed Chief Justice Fernando to investigate the Aquino assassination. The Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin was asked to sit on the Fernando Commission. Soon after he publicly expressed his doubts in the military's version of events and refused to join, the commission collapsed. During 1984, the economy suffers a 6.8% contraction.
February 22, 1985: A trial begins based on the findings of the Agrava Commission and the 26 named. However, the prosecution proceedings are based on the military's story. Increasing numbers of protests call for Marcos to resign. During 1985, the economy contracts again by 3.8%.
November 3, 1985: Marcos realises his deteriorating credibility as president both home and abroad. During a live interview on American television, he announces a snap election. It is an attempt to restore his own legitimacy as president.
December 2, 1985: General Ver and the other 25 named are acquitted of any alleged involvement in Aquino's assassination. The communists are blamed for the assassination.
December 3, 1985: Ninoy Aquino's widow, Corzaon Aquino, declares her candidacy for president while Salvado Laurel is to run for vice-president. The Aquino and Laurel families are fierce rivals in Philippine politics, but through the efforts of Cardinal Sin, they work together to in an attempt to defeat Marcos. Cory Aquino lacks political experience as she was only a simple housewife before her husband's assassination. Salvador Laurel, an accomplished politician, leads the United National Democratic Organisation, a coalition of opposition groups in the National Assembly.
January 23, 1986: The New York Times reports Marcos' war medals as fraudulent. Marcos dismisses this as a smear campaign.
February 7, 1986: The snap elections are held. The election is officially organised and conducted by the government's Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) is an organisation of 300,000 volunteers determined to protect the electoral process from fraud and abuse. NAMFREL has close connections to the Roman Catholic Church and most of the volunteer work is done at local parishes by priests and nuns. The campaign is a travesty of vote buying, violence and intimidation. In many electoral districts 10% - 40% of the voters names are struck from the registration lists. In the count, COMELEC reports Marcos in the lead, while NAMFREL reports an Aquino-Laurel majority.
February 8, 1986: The Roman Catholic Church declares the election a fraud.
February 9, 1986: The computer workers at COMELEC notice discrepancies. They walk out of the computer centre in protest of the election fraud. The election count drags on for several days with both sides claiming victory.
February 15, 1986: Marcos refers to the National Assembly, which he controls, for a decision on the election result. The National Assembly declares Marcos the winner.
The EDSA Revolution
February 16, 1986: Cory Aquino and almost a million of her supporters attend a rally in Rizal Park, Manila. She calls for a national campaign of civil disobedience and a general strike to commence February 25 in protest. Marcos intends to bring back martial law and he makes plans for the arrest of Aquino and 10,000 of her followers in an attempt to deal with her campaign of disobedience and general strikes. Marcos issues warnings against the strike movement, which he threatens to crush using his vast powers. Marcos makes plans to send out some of his most loyal soldiers in civilian clothing. They would pretend to be Aquino supporters and would go onto the streets of Metro Manila spreading terror and violence. Marcos could then use this to justify imposing martial law again, and have Aquino and her supporters arrested.
February 19, 1986: The US Senate passes a resolution condemning the election.
February 22, 1986: A group of young officers in the military begin making their own plans to overthrow President Marcos. The officers involved want reform within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Their previous pleas for reform had been ignored by Marcos and General Ver. Secretary of Defence Enrile and vice-chief of staff, Lieutenant General Ramos sympathise with the officers that want reform. However, Marcos finds out about the coup attempt by the military rebels. Those who escape being arrested make their way to the Ministry of Defence at Camp Aguinaldo. Directly across from Camp Aguinaldo is Camp Crame. In between there is the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which is the main means of access to both camps. EDSA is one of the main and most important highways for traffic flow in Metro Manila. Enrile and Ramos appeal to the military to join them in the revolt against Marcos. They have only a few hundred soldiers to defend them. At 7pm, they hold a press conference calling for Marcos to resign. At 11pm, Agapito Aquino, Ninoy's brother, asks people to defend the rebels through the church-operated station, Radio Veritas. A few hours later Cardinal Sin repeats Agapito's call for support. Throughout the night, somewhere in the region of a million people come out to defend the military rebels. The EDSA Revolution or People Power Revolution begins.
February 23, 1986: EDSA and access to the military camps is now completely jammed. A column of tanks roll down EDSA to remove the rebels. However, the tanks stop when they reach the crowds of people who stand their ground. The soldiers do not expect this kind of resistance, and are not prepared to kill many unarmed civilians in order to reach the military rebels. Radio Veritas is the only station broadcasting news of the revolt. At 6pm, the station's transmitters are blown up. At 11:45pm, Radio Bandido broadcasts news of the revolt.
February 24, 1986: At 6am, a formation of helicopter gun ships approach Camp Crame. The crowds below can do nothing to stop an airborne attack. After several minutes of hovering, the gun ships land at Camp Crame and the crews join the revolt. At 9am, the government's main broadcasting complex in Quezon City is taken over by rebels. The air force refuses orders from General Ver to bomb Camp Crame. At 11am, a single helicopter approaches the presidential residence and fires six rockets at Malacañan Palace. The naval base at Cavite reports to the rebels that warships were on station at the mouth of the Pasig River and are standing by for orders to shell Malacañan Palace. The US ambassador in the Philippines personally forwards a message from the US to Marcos that if he does not step down, civil war will be the outcome. Later, Marcos receives a message from President Reagan that he, his family and close associates would be welcome to live in the US.
February 25, 1986: Most of the military have deserted Marcos in support of Aquino. At 10:30pm, Aquino and Laurel are sworn in as president and vice-president respectively, in a suburban Manila nightclub, Club Filipino, by Associate Justice Teehankee. President Aquino immediately restores the basic civil liberties of free speech, freedom of assembly and a free press. President Aquino issues Proclamation No. 3, the adoption of a temporary constitution and a transitional government. This is known as the Freedom Constitution. Only two hours after Aquino has been sworn in as president, Marcos also tries to take office in a separate ceremony in Malacañan Palace. Only the Soviet Union ambassador attends. The broadcast of the ceremony is cut off just after it begins. Angry crowds gather outside Malacañan Palace in the afternoon. Marcos telephones Enrile to ask for American protection while leaving Malacañan Palace. At 9:05pm, American helicopters evacuate Marcos and 120 others to Clark Air Base.
February 27, 1986: Although Marcos wants to recoup at Laoag, his political base in Northern Luzon, he and his party leave at dawn for Guam and then Hawaii at the insistence of President Aquino. Marcos has left the Philippines in a bankrupt state with a debt of about US$28 billion.
