Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos entered the world on the 11th of September 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. His father Mariano was a lawyer and congressman who later died as a Japanese collaborator executed by Filipino guerillas in 1945. His mother Josefa worked as a schoolteacher until her death in 1988. The young Ferdinand attended primary schools including Sarrat Elementary School and Shamrock Elementary School before moving to Ermita Elementary School in Manila from 1923 to 1929. He completed secondary education at University of the Philippines High School and earned his liberal arts degree there before entering law school. At the UP College of Law he excelled academically while joining swimming boxing and wrestling teams. He became an accomplished orator and writer for the student newspaper. In 1939 he scored 92.35% on the Bar Examinations placing him in the top ten of his class. Future chief justice Felix Makasiar was their class salutatorian. He received the Most Distinguished Member Award from Phi Kappa Phi thirty seven years after graduating. He also served as ROTC battalion commander and was commissioned as a third lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary Reserve. A national rifle champion he joined Upsilon Sigma Phi where he met future government colleagues and critics. In December 1938 Marcos and his father were accused of murdering political rival Julio Nalundasan who had defeated Mariano Marcos twice for a National Assembly seat. Two witnesses claimed four men conspired to kill Nalundasan on the 21st of September 1935. The Supreme Court overturned the conviction on the 22nd of October 1940 acquitting both men except for contempt charges.
After World War II Ferdinand Marcos acted as one of eleven special prosecutors trying those accused of collaborating with Japan. He ran for his father's old post as representative of the 2nd district of Ilocos Norte winning three consecutive terms from 1949 to 1959. He joined the Liberal Wing that split from the Nacionalista Party becoming its economic spokesman. He chaired the House Neophytes Bloc which included future president Diosdado Macapagal and future vice president Emmanuel Pelaez. From 1963 to 1965 he served as Senate President introducing significant bills many of which were enacted. In 1962 he claimed to be the most decorated war hero in Philippine history garnering almost every medal available. His claim included twenty seven medals such as the Distinguished Service Cross and Medal of Honor. The opposition Liberal Party later confirmed many medals were awarded in 1962 specifically to aid his Senate election campaign. United States Army documents described his claims as fraudulent and absurd yet he won the presidential election in 1965. He was inaugurated as the tenth president on the 30th of December 1965 launching an aggressive infrastructure program funded by foreign loans. He remained popular during his first term despite debt-driven spending triggering inflation in November and December 1969. Major projects included the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex marking the start of what critics called his edifice complex.
Marcos began taking massive foreign loans to fund his reelection campaign promises of rice roads and school buildings. Tax revenues proved inadequate for a 70% increase in infrastructure spending from 1966 to 1970 so he covered the gap with loans creating a budget deficit 72% higher than the government's annual deficit from 1961 to 1965. This loan-funded spending continued throughout his reign producing economic instability that lasted decades. The balance of payments crisis characterized his second term beginning social unrest. Opposition groups formed moderate groups calling for political reform and radical groups espousing leftist ideology. Marcos responded with military force notably during protests known as the First Quarter Storm between January and March 1970. At least two activists died and several were injured when police dispersed crowds at the presidential palace. Five more major protests took place around Manila before the 17th of March 1970 ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 people. Students declared a week-long boycott of classes meeting instead to organize rallies. Violent dispersals radicalized Filipino students against the administration. By 1984 high inflation caused by US interest rate hikes triggered the worst recession in Philippine history. The economy contracted by 7.3% for two successive years leaving poverty incidence at 49%. The administration relied heavily on debt since the 1960s making the Philippines vulnerable to global financial shifts.
On the 23rd of September 1972 President Marcos declared martial law extending his rule beyond the constitutional two-term limit. Press secretary Francisco Tatad announced Proclamation No. 1081 which dissolved Congress closed media outlets and ordered arrests of opposition leaders including Benigno Aquino Jr. and Jose W. Diokno. He claimed this was the prelude to creating Bagong Lipunan or New Society based on new social values. His administration produced propaganda materials including speeches books lectures slogans and songs to promote it. A youth organization called Kabataang Barangay led by his daughter Imee was instituted under Presidential Decree 684 enacted in April 1975. Martial law was put to a vote in the 1973 referendum resulting in 90.77% support despite controversy over viva voce voting systems replacing secret ballots. The ratification was challenged in Ratification Cases but shelved when Marcos declared martial law. By 1977 reports of gross human rights violations had led to international pressure. US president Jimmy Carter pressured the administration to release Ninoy Aquino and hold parliamentary elections. The 7th of April 1978 election for 166 regional representatives was contested by Aquino's party Lakas ng Bayan and the regime's Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. Irregularities included prestuffed ballot boxes phony registration flying voters manipulated returns and vote buying. All LABAN candidates lost despite restrictions on their campaigning.
During martial law the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People's Army experienced significant growth continuing into the 1980s. The NPA established itself in urban areas while the NDF formed relationships with legal opposition organizations. Violence reached its peak in 1985 with 1,282 military and police deaths and 1,362 civilian deaths. Davao City became known as the Killing Fields or Murder Capital due to killings of key leaders in the opening years of the decade. Over 60,000 Filipinos were arrested for political reasons by 1977. The Philippine Constabulary then headed by future president Fidel V. Ramos was accused of inflicting human rights violations on leftists rebels and Muslim insurgents. Marcos organized the Civilian Home Defense Force a precursor to CAFGU to battle communist and Islamic insurgencies. The Jabidah massacre exposed in March 1968 ignited the Moro insurgency when Jibin Arula testified that Moro army recruits had been executed en masse on Corregidor Island on the 18th of March 1968. Despite trials none of the officers implicated were convicted leading many Filipino Muslims to believe the Christian government in Manila disregarded them. This created furor within the community especially among educated youth and intellectuals who had no prior involvement in politics. By 1970 campus study sessions on Marxism-Leninism became common and many students joined organizations like Kabataang Makabayan founded by Jose Maria Sison.
On the 21st of August 1983 opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated on the tarmac at Manila International Airport after returning from three years of exile in the United States. He had undergone heart bypass surgery there before his return. Prior to surgery Ninoy along with NPA leaders Bernabe Buscayno and Victor Corpuz were sentenced to death for murder subversion and illegal possession of firearms. Popular speculation pointed to three suspects: Marcos through military chief Fabian Ver Imelda herself or Danding Cojuangco acting for political ambition. The 1985 acquittals of high-ranking officers were widely seen as a whitewash. On the 22nd of November 2007 soldier Pablo Martinez alleged that Danding Cojuangco ordered the assassination while Marcos recovered from kidney transplant. The Sandiganbayan later convicted 16 military personnel ruling Constable 1st Class Rogelio Moreno fired the fatal shot not Galman. In late 1985 facing escalating discontent Marcos called a snap election selecting Arturo Tolentino as running mate. The opposition united behind Corazon Aquino widow of the slain senator and Salvador Laurel. The Commission on Elections declared Marcos winner with 10,807,197 votes against Aquino's 9,291,761 votes. However partial tallies by NAMFREL showed Aquino winning with 7,502,601 votes versus Marcos's 6,787,556 votes. Cheating was reported on both sides culminating in the walkout of 35 COMELEC computer technicians who claimed results were manipulated.
At 15:00 PST on the 25th of February 1986 Marcos spoke to US Senator Paul Laxalt asking for advice. Laxalt advised him to cut cleanly which disappointed him. At 9:00 p.m. the family was transported by four Sikorsky HH-3E helicopters to Clark Air Base before boarding C-130 planes bound for Guam then Hawaii where they arrived on February 26. He brought 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million 300 crates of jewelry $4 million in gems 65 Seiko and Cartier watches a box full of pearls a solid gold statue covered in diamonds and deposit slips worth $124 million. The State Department announced the Marcoses were not immune from legal charges and hundreds of cases were filed within weeks. They lived in a luxurious house in Makiki Heights while Imelda entertained guests. Protesters later discovered over 2,700 pairs of shoes left behind in Malacañang Palace. Plans to return emerged when American attorney Richard Hirschfeld gained knowledge of a plot to overthrow Aquino. Marcos stated he required another $5-million loan to pay 10,000 soldiers $500 each as combat life insurance. He negotiated with arms dealers to purchase up to $18 million worth of weapons including tanks and heat-seeking missiles. Learning of this plan Hirschfeld contacted the US Department of Justice placing Marcos under island arrest limiting his movement. On the 28th of September 1989 he died at St. Francis Medical Center in Honolulu at 12:40 a.m. of kidney heart and lung ailments seventeen days after his 72nd birthday.
Roxas v. Marcos involved treasure hunter Rogelio Roxas who found a 3-foot-tall golden Buddha statue in tunnels under Baguio General Hospital in 1971. He was arrested tortured and the statue taken away. Upon exile Roxas assigned rights to form Golden Buddha Corporation pursuing the case against the former president. In 1996 the lower court awarded US$22 billion making it the largest award in civil case history though overturned by Hawaii Supreme Court which maintained an award of US$6 million for illegal arrest and torture. On the 9th of November 2018 Imelda Marcos was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by Sandiganbayan of seven counts of graft for private organizations set up in Switzerland from 1968 to 1986. The Fifth Division allowed bail citing her advanced age and health condition consistent with Enrile vs Sandiganbayan doctrine. A jury in Ninth Circuit Court awarded US$2 billion to human rights victims and their families before being reversed by US Supreme Court in Republic of Philippines v. Pimentel on the 12th of June 2008. The Swiss government returned $684 million of Marcos' holdings after initial reluctance. From 1989 to 1996 suits were brought alleging responsibility for executions torture and disappearances. In 2013 Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 10368 creating Human Rights Violations Claims Board providing reparations to victims of summary execution torture and enforced disappearances.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Ferdinand Marcos born and where did he die?
Ferdinand Marcos was born on the 11th of September 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. He died at St. Francis Medical Center in Honolulu on the 28th of September 1989.
What dates define the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines?
Ferdinand Marcos served as president from his inauguration on the 30th of December 1965 until his departure from power on the 25th of February 1986. He declared martial law on the 23rd of September 1972 to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits.
How many medals did Ferdinand Marcos claim to have received during World War II?
In 1962 Ferdinand Marcos claimed to be the most decorated war hero in Philippine history by garnering almost every medal available including twenty seven specific awards. United States Army documents later described these claims as fraudulent and absurd yet he won the presidential election in 1965.
Who were the key figures involved in the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.?
Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated on the 21st of August 1983 on the tarmac at Manila International Airport after returning from exile. The Sandiganbayan later convicted 16 military personnel ruling that Constable 1st Class Rogelio Moreno fired the fatal shot while speculation pointed to Marcos Fabian Ver Imelda or Danding Cojuangco.
What economic impact resulted from Ferdinand Marcos taking massive foreign loans?
Marcos began taking massive foreign loans to fund reelection campaign promises creating a budget deficit 72% higher than the government's annual deficit from 1961 to 1965. This loan-funded spending continued throughout his reign producing economic instability that lasted decades with high inflation causing the worst recession in Philippine history by 1984.