CHAPTER VII: POST WORLD WAR II
PHILIPPINES
THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC: INTRODUCTION
 On July 4, 1946, the Philippines joined
the World community of free nations.
 That day of freedom was the
realization of the years of struggle
for Independence beginning with
the Philippine Revolution of 1896,
through the Filipino-American War,
the American Period and the
Japanese occupation.
 President Manuel A. Roxas who was
the last President of the Philippine
Commonwealth was also the first
President of what is known as the
fourth Philippine Republic.
 While it was a joyous occasion, the
Independence day of 1946 also opens to
an era of enormous challenges:
1. First of which was the task of
economic and social reconstruction
following the end of the second
World War.
2. The Second great challenge was the
rising rural-based communist
insurgency where the militant
groups were trying to overthrow the
Philippine Government which they
saw as feudalistic and subservient to
the United States.
3. The Third challenge was one of
disunity as there was animosity
among Filipinos who collaborated with
the Japanese and those that fought
the Japanese.
 The leaders of the post-war
government including Roxas himself
were collaborators of the Japanese.
Roxas had to find ways to heal the
great divide among the people.
4. Last but not the least challenge was
the growing rift between The rich and
the poor among Filipinos. Eventually
the rift would be the cause of social
upheavals in the post-war period.
TOPIC I: INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HIS
EXCELLENCY MANUEL A. ROXAS (RELEASED
JULY 4, 1946)
"We Have Reached the Summit of the Mighty
Mountain of Independence"
My Countrymen: .
 A historic drama has just been unfolded
before our eyes. The American flag has
been lowered from the flagstaffs in this
land...not in defeat, not in surrender, not by
compulsion, but by the voluntary act of the
sovereign American Nation.
 The flag which was first raised in conquest
here have been hauled down with even
greater glory. The Stars and Stripes will no
longer fly over this land; but in the hearts of
18,000,000 Filipinos and in the eyes of
many millions more in this part of the
world, the American flag flies more
triumphantly today than ever before in
history.
 Some hundred of yards from here at Fort
San Antonio Abad, the American flag was
first planted in 1898.
 As its brave colors fluttered down from the
flagstaff a moment ago, the cycle of history
had completed a full turn.
 In the culmination today, America justified
her destiny. For America, todays act of
renunciation was the climax of
triumph.....for enlightenment, for
democratic values, for liberty. We mark
 here today the forward thrust of the
frontier of freedom.
 I have raised the Philippine flag to wave
henceforth alone and unshadowed over the
entire Philippines. American sovereignty
had been withdrawn. It has been
transferred and is now possessed in full
measure by the Filipino People. We have
reached the summit of the mighty
mountain of independence toward which
we and our fathers have striven during the
lifetime of our people.
 The last sentence of President Manuel A.
Roxas address states that:
“Our Independence is our pride and our
honor: We shall defend Our Nation with our
lives and our fortunes. “
 As the Poet wrote long ago:
“Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost.
Ever grateful for the prize.
Let its altar reach the skies.”
 Note: The historic drama referred to in the
opening sentence of this address is
described on pages 4 and 5 of the Blue Book
of the first year of the Republic of the
Philippines as follows:
 "In a moment, we saw a silver poles - so
tall, so bright, so magnificent. Then we
saw ambassador Paul Vories McNutt, he
of the silver hair, arise and slowly,
gradually, patiently pull the great
American Flag from the top of the pole.
The United States Army band struck up
the opening strains of the Star-spangled
Banner and kept the music solemn,
sweet and sad. And we sang in our
hearts with tears streaming down our
cheeks. "Ov'r the land of the free and
the home of the brave."
 Forty seven Years! This was our song
too. This was our Flag. Beneath it we
fought the epic battles of Bataan and
Corregidor.
 Beneath it we felt that it was not a
mere path of tropical soil with swaying
palms and tawny sunsets and silver
breakers creeping on the oozing sands.
This was a piece of America. This was
American Democracy. This was the last
outpost of freedom. This was the last
outpost of freedom in the Pacific.
 "Then the President of the New
Republic of the Philippines slowly,
gradually, patiently raised the Flag of
the Filipinos to the top of the silver
Pole. The Philippine Army Band
began to play the Philippine National
Anthem. As it gathered volume and
reached for the climax we intoned in
silent determination, a tingling thrill
running through our hearts:
 "Never shall invaders trample thy
sacred shores. Never again! No, never
again shall a foreign power set foot
upon this, our heart and home. Never
shall the barbarian crush beneath his
booted heel the writing bodies of our
women and children.
 "At this point the two Flags met on the
way - one going up, the other going
down. There was a brief, split-second
pause. They touched each other for a
fleeting instant as if in a last caress, a
last kiss. A breeze was rising from the
west. It brought echoes and memories.
We harked back to the dark days of
1942 when the whole world seemed
crashing about our ears. We heard the
voice of the American President - the
incomparable Franklin Delano
Roosevelt.
  "Your Freedom will be redeemed and
your Independence established and
protected".
 "This was the Voice that sustained us
through the long unequal fight. This
was the promised that now found
consummate realization and fulfillment.
It was worth the sterling valor and the
unspeakable sacrifice. It was worth the
blood, sweats, tears and treasure that
any Nation could offer upon the altar of
Immaculate Liberty."
 "In another moment the American Flag
was folded carefully, solemnly,
tenderly. At that moment the Philippine
Flag, its red bar below the blue in token
of beneficent and dearly bought peace
at last, began to wave in the sweeping
wind. The wind came in swift, low
guests. The spell was broken.”
 "Guns-big guns of the army began to
bark not in accents of defiance but in
salvos of applause. A siren sounded
screeching like a New Year's greeting.
From a hundred spires church-bells
began to peal the mellow golden song
of Freedom".
 Source: PAHIWATIG A Guide for
Understanding Readings in Philippine
History, By: A V. De Vianna and Mo, V.
M. Peaczo 2018 edition, p. 297; diting o
M. (1954) Paper, addresses and other
writings of Manuel Toxas Vol. 1), Manila
Bureau of Public Libraries
TOPIC II: US-PHILIPPINE MILITARY BASES
AGREEMENT
 One of the provision of the Philippine
Independence Act of the Philippines was to
allow the presence of US Military and Naval
Bases in the Philippines.
 On March 14 1947, the Military Bases
agreement was signed by President Manuel
A. Roxas and Paul V. McNutt of the United
States high Commissioner in the Philippines
and concurred by the Senate on March 26,
1947, and accepted by the US on January
21, 1948.
 There were 18 Philippine Senators who
voted in favor of the treaty and none
opposed.
 Three senators were recorded as absent for
the vote, presumably as a protest.
 Three other senators had been barred from
the body on the grounds of vote fraud in
the April 1946 elections, a concocted charge
engineered by the Roxas administration.
 Under the original agreement those
facilities were to remain for 99 years.
However, under the 1956 Serrano-Bohlem
Agreement during the Garcia
administration, the term was reduced to 25
years.
 After that negotiations were to be held
every five (5) years, Yet the presence of
these facilities were a source of irritation
among the Filipinos.
 Nationalist elements saw them as an affront
to our country's independence.
 Through these years the American may
interfere with Philippine Internal Affairs.
Extraterritorial rights were given to the
Americans exempt them from being tried in
Philippine Courts for crimes committed in
the Philippines.
 Meanwhile, On August 30, 1951, the
Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the
US and the Philippines was signed in
Washington.
 Politicians such as Claro M. Recto clamored
for their removal in the 1950's.
 They believe that by siding with the
American's in the time of Cold war would
automatically make the Philippines the
enemy of the America's enemies, and the
bases would become a target of their
nuclear weapons in case of a shooting wars.
 It was common knowledge that many f the
American Ships and planes are known to
carry nuclear weapons but the Americans
adopted a "No confirm Nor deny policy"
about the presence of those weapons
aboard the ships and planes & in the bases
themselves.
 However, politician especially those in
administration see the bases as a defensive
umbrella against other world powers
especially against communist countries. .
 They also perceived the Philippines cannot
adequately defend themselves from an
external aggressor thus the need for the
bases and the United states.
 They also se the economic benefit in
keeping the bases as its operations creates
jobs.
 They were however blind to the negative
social impact as the bases spawned brothels
and crime in areas where they were located
and it promoted a colonial or stateside
attitude among the Filipinos.
 Even as Filipino Commander was installed in
bases like Clark in Pampanga in 1981, this
was highly cosmetics as the Americans was
guaranteed access to the bases and they
need not inform the Filipinos of their
activities.
 Even as the Americans returned of of the
bases to the Philippines, they still kept the
Clark Air Base & Subic Naval Base until the
1990's.
 Note: The agreement was set for a period of
99 years subject to the extension thereafter
as signed by the two governments.
 The agreement would undergo
amendments over the years. Notably in the
1966 amendment, the agreement was cut
down to 25 years of the unexpired portion
of the 99 years, expiring in 1991.
 The 1979 amendments would reaffirm
Philippine sovereignty over the bases and
provided for a thorough review of the
agreement every five years.
 The first review in 1983, resulted in several
further concessions to Philippine demands
for increase sovereignty.
 The united States also pledged its best
efforts to provide the Philippines with US
$900 Million in economic and Military aid
over the next five years (1984-88), up from
US$ 500 million over the previous five
years.
 On September 16, 1991, in a vote of 12 - 11,
the Philippine Senate rejected a negotiated
treaty that would allow an extension of the
stay of the U.S. Bases in the country.
 The 11 senators who voted in favor of the
new treaty where five short of the two-
thirds (2/3) majority needed for the
ratifications.
TOPIC III: FERDINAND E. MARCOS,
PROCLAMATION ON “A STATE OF MARTIAL
LAW IN THE PHILIPPINES” (PROVLAMATION
1081)
“A STATE OF MARTIAL LAW IN THE
PHILIPPINES” (PROCLAMATION 1081)
 One of the most important documents in
postwar and contemporary Philippine
history is Proclamation 1081, series of
1972.
  The proclamation was issued by
President Ferdinand E. Marcos "To save
the Republic", and to reform Philippine
society.
 The basis for Martial Law was based on
a provision of the 1935 Philippine
Constitution which empowers the Chief
Executives to declare martial law in case
of rebellion, invasion and natural
calamities.
 Marcos cited the growth of the armed
communist movement, the activities of
criminal elements and finally the ambush of
his Secretary of Defense by unknown
gunmen which he said prompted him to
declare martial law.
 Though the date of Proclamation 1081
was September 21, 1972, Martial Law
came into effect on September 23,
1972.
 By imposing Martial Law President
Marcos made himself a dictator of the
Philippines.
 With the abolition of Congress he
issued Presidential Decrees, Letter of
Instructions and General Order, all of
which had the force of law.
 The government was reorganized and
all of those who were perceived to be
corrupt, ineffective or redundant were
removed.
 Sweeping changes were removed in the
sectors of the economy. agrarian
reform, education, industry and culture.
 Despite his image as dictator, Marcos
called the rule under martial Law as
Constitutional Authoritarianism as this
was covered by the previous
constitution.
 The underside of martial law were the
arrest of Marcos perceived political
enemies who consisted of his political rivals
and ideologues.
 Thousands were detained and many of
them languished in prison and endured
torture and abuse by the military jailers.
 A the time of the imposition of martial
law the government was trying to
replace the 1935 Constitution with a
new one which became the 1973
Constitution.
 When the Constitution came into force
in 1978 Marcos retained retained
dictatorial powers and he also retained
the power to detain anyone without
charge.
 In January 1981, Marcos issued a
decree lifting martial law one week
before the visit of Pope John Paul Il to
the Philippines.
 However, this lifting was only cosmetic
as Marcos still retains his dictatorial
powers until his ousters in the People
Power Revolution on February 25,
1986.
TOPIC IV: THE TRIPOLI AGREEMENT
 The agreement between the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines and Moro
National Liberation front with the
participation of the Quadripartite
Ministerial Commission Members of the
Islamic Conference and the Secretary
General of Islamic Conference.
 In accordance with the Resolution No. 4
Para, 5 adopted by the Council of
Minister of the Islamic Conference in its
fourth Session held in Benghazi, Libyan
Arab Republic during the month of
Safar 1393 H. corresponding to March
1973, calling for the formation of
Quadripartite Ministerial Commission
 representing the Libyan - Arab Republic,
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the
Republic of Senegal and the Republic of
Somalia to enter into discussion with
the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines concerning the situation of
the Muslims in the South of the
Philippines.
 And in accordance with the resolution
No. (18) adopted by the Islamic
Conference held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia in Jumada Alakhir 1393 H.
corresponding to June 1974 A.D. which
recommends the searching for a just
and peaceful political solution to the
problem of the Muslims in the South of
the Philippines through Negotiations. .
And in accordance with the resolution
No. 12/7/s adopted by the Islamic
Conference held in Istanbul in Jumada
El-Ula 1936 H. corresponding to May
1976 A.D. empowering the
quadripartite Ministerial Commission
and the Secretary General of the Islamic
Conference to take the necessary steps
for the resumption of negotiations.
 And following the task undertaken by
the quadripartite Ministerial
Commission and the Secretary General
of the Islamic Conference and the
discussion held with H.E. Ferdinand
Marcos, President of the Republic of
the Philippines.
 And in realization of the contents of
para. 6 of the joint Communique issued
in on Tripoli on the 25th Zulgeda 1396
H. corresponding to 17th November
1976 A.D. following the official visit paid
by the delegation of the Government of
the Republic of the Philippines headed
by the First Lady of the Philippines, Mrs.
Imelda R. Marcos, to the Libyan Arab
Republic and which calls for the
resumption of negotiations between
the two parties concerned in Tripoli on
the 15th of December 1976 A.D.
 Negotiations were held in the City of
Tripoli during the period between 24th
Zulhija 1396 H. to Second to Moharram
1397 H. corresponding to the period
from 15th to 23rd December 1976 A.D.
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
presided over by Dr Ali Abdussalam
Trecki, Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs of the Libyan Arab Republic.
 During the negotiations which were
marked by spirit of conciliation and
understanding, it has been agreed the
following:
1. First: the establishment of
autonomy of the Southern
Philippines within the realm of the
sovereignty and territorial Integrity
of the republic of the Philippines.
2. Second: the areas for the
autonomy of the Muslims in the
southern Philippines shall
comprise the following: Basilan,
Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Lanao Del
Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur,
Zamboanga del Sur, Davao Del Sur,
Zamboanga del Norte, South
Cotabato, North Cotabato,
Palawan and Maguindndo.
3. Third: Foreign policy shall be of the
competence of the Central
Government of the Philippines (15
conditions) etcetera.
4. Fourth: This agreement shall come
into force with effect from the
Date of its Signature.
 Done in the City of Tripoli on second
Muharram 1397 H. corresponding to the
23rd December 1976 A.D. in three original
 copies in Arabic, English, French Languages
All equal in Legal Power.
 For the Government of the republic of
the Philippines:
 Hon. Carmelo Z. Barbero -
Undersecretary of National Defense
for Civilian Relations
 For the Moro National Liberation Front:
 Professor Nur Misuari
 Dr. Abdulssalam Treki - Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs, Libyan
Arab Republic and Chairman of the
Negotiations
 Dr. Amado Karim Gaye - Secretary
General of the Organization of
Islamic Conference.
TOPIC V: EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION
 The event that led to the ouster of
Ferdinand Marcos as President of the
Philippines was the so called People Power
Revolution of 1986.
 The Philippines was praised worldwide in
1986, when the socalled bloodless
revolution erupted, called EDSA People
Power Revolution.
 February 25, 1986 marked a significant
national event that has been engraved
in the hearts and minds of every
Filipinos.
 This part of Philippine History gives us a
strong sense of pride especially that other
Nations had attempted to emulate what we
have shown the world of a True Power of
Democracy.
 The true empowerment of democracy was
exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts to
oust a tyrant by a demonstration without
tolerance for violence and bloodshed.
 Prayers and rosaries strengthened by faith
were the only weapons that the Filipinos
used to recover their freedom from
President Ferdinand Marcos's iron hands.
 The Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA)
stretch 54 kms, where the faithful
demonstrations was held on that faithful
day.
 It was that day that gathered all Filipinos in
unity with courage and faith to prevail
democracy in the country.
 It was the power of the people, who
assembled in EDSA, that restored the
democratic Philippines, ending the
oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came
to be known as the EDSA People Power
Revolution.
 The revolution was the result of the long
oppressed freedom and the life threatening
abuses executed by the Marcos
government to cite several events like
human rights violation since the tyrannical
Martial Law Proclamation in 1972.
 In the years that followed Martial Law
started the suppressive and abusive years -
incidents of assassinations were rampant,
particularly those who opposed the
government, individual, companies alike
were subdued.
 The Filipinos reached the height of their
patience when former Senator Benigno
"Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at
the Airport in August 21, 1983, upon his
return to the Philippines from exile in the
United States.
 Aquino's death marked the day that
Filipinos learned to fight. His grieving wife,
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino showed the
Filipinos and the world the strength and
courage to claim back the democracy that
Ferdinand Marcos arrested for his personal
caprice.
 Considering the depressing economy of the
country. Ninoy's death further intensified
the contained resentment of the Filipinos.
 In the efforts to win back his popularity
among the people, Marcos held a Snap
Presidential Election on February 7, 1986,
where he was confronted with a strong and
potent opposition Corazon.
 It was the most corrupt and deceitful
election held in the Philippine history.
There was an evident trace of electoral
fraud as the tally of votes were declared
with discrepancy between the official count
by the COMELEC (Commission on Election)
and the count of NAMFREL (National
Movement for Free Elections).
 Such blatant corruption in that election was
the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos
of the Marcos regime.
 The demonstration started to break in the
cry for democracy and the demand to oust
Marcos from seat at Malacanang Palace.
COMMENCEMENT OF REVOLT:
 The revolt commence when Marcos’
Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the
Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff Command
of Fidel V. Ramos, both withdrew their
support from the government and called
upon the resignation of then President
Marcos.
 They responsibly barricaded Camp
Came and Camp Aguinaldo and had
their groups ready to combat against
possible armed attack organized by
Marcos and his troops.
 The Catholic Church represented by
Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with
the priest and nuns called for the support
of all Filipinos who believed in Democracy.
 Radio Veritas aired the message of Cardinal
Sin that summoned thousands of Filipinos
to march the street of EDSA.
 It was an empowering demonstration that
aimed to succeed peacefully with the
intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled in front
of tanks with rosaries in their hands and
uttering their prayers.
 With the power of prayers the Armed
marine troops under the command of
Marcos withdrew from the site.
 Finally in the morning of February 25, 1986,
Corazon Aquino took the Presidential oath
of office, administered by the Supreme
Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee
at Club Filipino located in San Juan
 Corazon C. Aquino was proclaimed the
11th President of the Republic of the
Philippines.
 She was the first Lady President of the
country.
 People rejoiced over their victory proving
the success of the EDSA People Power
revolution, the historic peaceful
demonstration.
 The Bloodless, People Power Revolution in
EDSA renewed the power of the people
strengthening the meaning of democracy
and restored the democratic institutions of
government, continue to the 5th Republic
(1986) up to the present time.
TOPIC VI: SPEECH OF HER EXCELLENCY =
PRESIDENT CORAZON COJUANCO AQUINO
DURING JOINT SESSION OF THE US CONGRESS
(SEPTEMBER 18, 1972)
 Following the overthrow of Ferdinand arcos
in the People Power Revolt, his successor
Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino, widow of the slain
Marcos opponent, Benigno S. Aquino Jr.,
made a state visit to the United States.
 The accession of Mrs. Aquino to the
presidency was not done the usual way as
she acquired power following the ouster of
her predecessor.
 Immediately following being sworn into the
Presidency, Mrs. Aquino declared a
revolutionary government, setting aside the
1973 Constitution and other democratic
process.
PRESIDENT CORA AQUINO’S SPEECH:
Enrile and her Vice President Salvador H.
Laurel withdrew their support.
 Later President Aquino's Government was
threatened by at least nine coup attempts
and mutinies.
TOPIC VII: SPEECH OF HER EXCELLENCY
PRESIDNET CORAZON AQUINO DURING JOINT
SESSION OF THE US CONGRESS (DELIVERED AT
WASHINGTON D.C., SEPTEMBER 18, 1986)

 She dismissed elected representatives of

the people starting with the Batasang
Pambansa or Legislature which was
perceived to be controlled by Marcos and
also dismissed local officials and replaced
them with officer-in-Charge.
 Mrs. Aquino even relieved career officials in
the executive branch who were supposed
to be protected by security of tenure.
 The new government released political
prisoners including "high-ranking officials of
the Communist Party of the Philippines
including its founding Chairman Jose Ma.
Sison and the founder of the New People's
Army, Bernabe Buscayno.
 Sison eventually fled to Netherlands and
continued directing the Communist
movement from Utrecht.
 The new Aquino government also declared
a truce with the New People's Army (NPA)
and began talks with the Communist
Representatives and also with the
secessionist Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF).
 These overtures were opposed by the
Military.
 Mrs. Aquino's action in the revolutionary
government resulted in the political and
social instability as some of her allies
especially Defense Secretary Juan Ponce