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Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Childhood Background
The man who ruled the Philippines with an
iron fist was born on September 11, 1917 in
Sarrat, a small town in Ilocos Norte. Named by
his parents, Mariano Marcos and Josefa
Edralin, after King Ferdinand of Spain,
Ferdinand Edralin Marcos
Childhood Background
He was a champion debater, boxer, swimmer and
wrestler while in the University of the Philippines.
As a young law student of the University of the
Philippines, Marcos was indicted and convicted of
murder (of Julio Nalundasan, the man who twice
defeated his father for a National Assembly seat).
Childhood Background
While in detention, he reviewed and topped the 1938 Bar
examinations with one of the highest score in history.
According to Former First Lady Imelda Marcos He (Pres.
Marcos) wanted to be the top of tops. So his record was
unprecedented in history. In bar history, he had 98.8, Many
said it is impossible, siguro nandaya yun (maybe he
cheated). He had to had an oral exam so that they (the
Supreme Court) *can+ revalidate (the score).
He appealed his conviction and argued his case before the
Supreme Court. Impressed by his brilliant legal defense, the
Supreme Court unanimously acquitted him.
Rise to Power
He won the election, and was sworn in on
December 30, 1965.President Marcos
promised economic development, improved
infrastructure, and good government to the
people of the Philippines. He also
pledged help to South Vietnam and the US in
the Vietnam War, sending more than 10,000
Filipino soldiers to fight.
Martial Law
Within weeks of his reelection, Marcos faced violent
public protests against his rule by students and other
citizens. Students demanded educational reforms; they
even commandeered a fire truck and crashed it into
the Presidential Palace in 1970.
The Filipino Communist Party reemerged as a threat.
Meanwhile, a Muslim separatist movement in the
south urged succession. President Marcos responded
to all of these threats by declaring martial law on
September 21, 1972. He suspended habeas corpus,
imposed a curfew and jailed opponents like Benigno
"Ninoy" Aquino.
This period of martial law lasted until January 1981.
Death of Ninoy
Opposition leader Benigno Aquino was released in 1980
after nearly 8 years in prison. He went into exile in the
United States.
In August of 1983, Aquino returned to the Philippines.
Upon arrival, he was hustled off the plane, and shot dead
on the runway at the Manila Airport by a man in a military
uniform.
The government claimed that Rolando Galman was the
assassin; Galman was immediately killed by airport security.
Marcos was ill at the time, recovering from a kidney
transplant. Imelda may have ordered Aquino's killing, which
sparked massive protests.
Marcos Falls
August 13, 1985 was the beginning of the end for Marcos. Fifty-six
members of Parliament called for his impeachment for graft,
corruption, and other high crimes.
Marcos called a new election for 1986. His opponent was Corazon
Aquino, the widow of Benigno.
Marcos claimed a 1.6 million vote victory, but observers found a
800,000 win by Aquino. A "People Power" movement quickly
developed, driving the Marcoses into exile in Hawaii, and affirming
Aquino's election.
The Marcoses had embezzled billions of dollars from the
Philippines. Imelda famously left over 2,500 pairs of shoes in her
closet when she fled Manila.
Ferdinand Marcos died of multiple organ failure in Honolulu on
September 28, 1989. He left behind a reputation as one of the most
corrupt and ruthless leaders in modern Asia.
PLEDGES
P-Peace and Order
L-Land Reform
E-Economic Development
D-Development of Moral Values
G-Government reforms
E-Educational Reforms
S-Social Service
References
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/profilesofasianleaders/p/fmarcosbio.htm
Marcos of the Philippines. Manila: Department of Public Information, 1975
Mauricio, Luis R. Renato Constantino and the Marcos Watch. Quezon City: Karrel, Inc.,1986.
Pagoso, Cristobal M. Progress and Development. Manila: Rex Book Store, 1984.
Caoili, Manuel A. The Philippine Congress and the Political Order, Philippine Journal
of Public Administration, Vol.XXX no. 1 (January, 1986).
Caoili, Olivia C. The Batasang Pambansa: Continuity in the Philippine Legislative
System, Philippine Journal of Public Administration, Vol. XXX, No.1 (January, 1986).
de Roos, Robert. The Philippines: Freedoms Pacific Frontier, National Geographic
(September 1966).
Moser, Dan. The Philippines: Better Days Still Elude An Old Friend, National
Geographic (March 1977).
Let the Marcos Truth Prevail.
Marcos, Ferdinand E. Todays Revolution: Democracy. Manila, 1971