Batas Militar
The Marcos Years
In 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal attempted to win another term, but lost. He lost to former senate president Ferdinand Marcos of Ilocos Norte, a dynamic orator, brilliant lawyer, and a new political star. In his bid for presidency, Marcos switched party (from Liberal to Nacionalista Party), teamed up with Fernando Lopez from the rich Lopezes of Iloilo, and promised the Filipino voters that “this nation can be great again.”
During his first term, Marcos delivered unparalleled public works projects. He built roads, bridges, schools, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) introduced the “miracle rice” variety. Marcos pushed for aggressive agricultural programs to increase production of rice and other new export crops. Imelda, his former beauty queen wife, added charm to his rule. Different from previous first ladies, she took on an active role, especially in social and cultural projects, all throughout his husband’s rule. In 1966, through her influence, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ construction was started. More edifices would be built under her patronage.
With “more rice, roads, and schools,” listed under his growing and glowing achievements, Marcos won his second term in 1969. No other postwar president had the same success of being reelected. But in 1986, almost two decades after his first election, he would be ousted by the angry Filipinos who stormed EDSA. He would leave billions of dollars of debts and thousands of cases of human rights violation. Up until this day, Marcos still has loyal supporters who claim that he was the best president this country has ever had.
What went right and what went wrong during the presidency of Marcos? Read the following readings, and watch Batas Militar, a comprehensive documentary on the Marcos regime.
Imelda Marcos was the first lady fro 1965 to 1986
she misses the clout of being first lady
you can do so much
after 30 years Marcos is not yet buried
Ferdinand marcos - most powerful man to rule the Philippines
Imelda embraced fame with passion
giving money like that will solve the problem
saying the government has no soul and no heart
8 years old lost her mom
grew up in the province
became miss manila
ferdinand was a congressman and proposed to him
got married within 11 days
Marcos Family house 1946
help to him daw
marcos from north and imelda from south
she had a hard time in the beginning due to too many people
was in a psychiatric hospital in new york
she did not see the problem with the terrorizing leaders
Nixon was nice but misunderstood daw
sometimes it helps when you are not taken too seriously
beautiful married life and does not remember any bad or ugly time
Marcos had so many affairs
Imelda was heartbroken but she does not show it to the media
She would blackmail her husband
22 years after world war 2, marcos became president
she was spontaneous acquisitions
1976 marcoses evicted 254 families from Calauit to make room for safari park
you cannot quantify love daw
Bongbong - parents were never home
regretted the time he was away from his family
best politician daw was his mom
Manila 2015
bong bong ran for VP
leni for VP
The wealthy decide the fate of the poor
either you are the cause of freedom or the curse of
Benigno Aquino in prison for 7 years and 7 months
Who killed Aquino? - imelda obv
The killing of beningo aquino sparked the movement
“i would never be able to forgive myself to live with the knowledge that I could do something but not do anything.
Cory won the elections but they still stated otherwise
People Power movement
Dictator but if you don’t keep marcos you will lose
350 million dollars worth of property in US
Husband died in Hawaii
5-10 billion dollars stolen
September 21st 1972 - pres. ferdinand marcos enacted martial law
martial law was best years of marcos - ACCORDING TO IMELDA
that’s so shit tho
May Rodriguez, etta - tortured for being activists, burned with wax candle, sexually molested
agents -
may felt proud to not give way
Martial law lasted 8 years and he dissolved the congress making him have full control over the courts
70,000 ppl incarcerated
35,000 people tortured
3200 killed
paying off many people during the campaign
Filed a motion for a written attachment and took photographs of the walls
master’s bedroom was locked
imelda marcos has gotten away with murder
stealing billions which caused the poverty in the Philippines to really increase
if you’re rich and in power, it becomes easy for you to get the people on your side by promising them money
continued poverty nurtured that only strong money will last
you can’t fix all the problems in 6 years
students must be informed about martial law
revising martial law
PCGG created to find the ill-gotten wealth
those part of rolex 12
Tomas Diaz, PMA-Cl '51 - Vice Chief of the Philippine Constabulary[2]
Juan Ponce Enrile - Minister of National Defense[2]
Romeo Espino UP-ROTC - Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)[2]
Romeo Gatan - Chief of the Philippine Constabulary in Rizal[2]
Alfredo Montoya, PMA Cl-'51 -Chief of the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (METROCOM)[2]
Ignacio Paz, PMA Cl-'51 - Chief of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)[2]
Fidel Ramos, USMA Cl-'50; Honorary PMA Cl-51 - Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary (PC), President of the Philippines (1992–1998)[2]
Jose Rancudo - Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF)[2]
Hilario Ruiz - Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (PN)[2]
Gen. Rafael Zagala - Commanding General of the Philippine Army (PA)[2]
Fabian Ver, Honorary-PMA Cl '51 - Chief of National Intelligence Security Authority (NISA)[3][2]
Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr., Honorary PMA Cl-'51 - Governor of Tarlac (1967–1969), Chairman of San Miguel Corporation (1998–2020)[2]
at the age of 21 he was part of a murder case
Maharlika - guerilla
1966 declared the 6th president of the Philippines
dovie beams affair - marcos was having an affair with dovie beams, actress who played a role in movie called maharlika about the war efforts of marcos
citizens assembly - where anyone could vote thru raise of hands
during his 14 years as president, he signed 3000 orders and decrees
1986 people power
start of 1972 afp budget skyrocketed
Ver was so powerful, he was his chauffer and then became one of the most powerful people in military at that time
amnesty international report
70000 jailed
35000 tortured
3240 killed
signed by general ramos
arrests without warrant
Primitivo mijares - chief propagandista