Manco, Rhea Jean D,

BSPsychology 1A
GE 2

SUMMARY OF LESSON 4.3

1973: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITARIANISM

What is a constitution?
The Constitution (1987) is the fundamental law of
the land in the Philippines. It establishes the
structure, policies, roles and duties of the
Philippines’ government.

The Philippines has had a total of six constitutions

since the Proclamation of Independence on June 12,
1898.

Ferdinand Marcos was a Filipino Lawyer and a

Politician. He was born on September 11, 1917 at
Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He passed away on
September 28, 1989 at Honolulu Hawaii.
So, it all started back in 1965 when Ferdinand E.
Marcos became the big boss as the president of the
Philippines. Fast forward to 1967, and the Philippine
Congress decided it was time for a change. They
wanted to change the country's constitution, which
had been hanging around since way back in 1935.

Marcos managed to won another term in 1969, but

let's just say there were some shady dealings going
on. There were rumors flying around about him
spending a ton of cash on his campaign and using
government stuff to give himself an edge. Not exactly
playing by the rules, right?

Anyway, the Congress put together this group of

folks called delegates to handle the constitution
revamp. But before they could finish up, Marcos
dropped a bombshell in 1972 – he declared Martial
Law. Why? Well, he said it was to deal with some
supposed communist trouble, but it really gave him
a whole heap of power.

Under Martial Law, Marcos had a say in pretty much

everything, including what went into the new
constitution. They came up with this idea for a new
government system where the president wouldn't be
as bossy, and instead, most of the power would go to
a Prime Minister chosen by the National Assembly.

Now, when it came time to vote on this new

constitution, Marcos got cold feet. He was worried
people wouldn't like it, so instead of a regular vote,
he set up these things called Citizen Assemblies
where people voted by raising their hands. He said
everyone loved the new constitution, but there were
whispers of some funny business going on during
the vote.

As the years went by, Marcos made himself even

more powerful, practically acting like a king. He even
got rid of the Senate and pretty much ignored the
whole idea of that new government system they'd
talked about.

Things really hit the fan in the early '80s, especially

after a big opposition leader named Benigno Aquino
Sr. got assassinated in 1983. People were fed up,
and they hit the streets in massive protests,
demanding Marcos step down and give power back
to the people.
The tipping point came in February 1986 with the
EDSA People Power Revolution. Millions of Filipinos
took to the streets in a peaceful uprising, saying
enough is enough. With the pressure mounting,
Marcos skipped town, and Corazon Aquino, the
widow of Benigno Aquino Jr., stepped up to lead the
country into a new era. And that's the story of
Marcos, the constitution, and the people's fight for
freedom!