Chapter 1

Introduction

Martial law In September 1972 Marcos declared martial law, claiming that it was the last
defense against the rising disorder caused by increasingly violent student demonstrations, the
alleged threats of communist insurgency by the new Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),
and the Muslim separatist movement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). One of his
first actions was to arrest opposition politicians in Congress and the Constitutional Convention.
Initial public reaction to martial law was mostly favourable except in Muslim areas of the south,
where a separatist rebellion, led by the MNLF, broke out in 1973. Despite halfhearted attempts to
negotiate a cease-fire, the rebellion continued to claim thousands of military and civilian casualties.
Communist insurgency expanded with the creation of the National Democratic Front (NDF), an
organization embracing the CPP and other communist groups. Ferdinand E. Marcos, 1972.
Ferdinand E. Marcos, 1972.

Slim Aarons/Getty Images Under martial law the regime was able to reduce violent urban
crime, collect unregistered firearms, and suppress communist insurgency in some areas. At the
same time, a series of important new concessions were given to foreign investors, including a
prohibition on strikes by organized labour, and a land-reform program was launched. In January
1973 Marcos proclaimed the ratification of a new constitution based on the parliamentary system,
with himself as both president and prime minister. He did not, however, convene the interim
legislature that was called for in that document. ADVERTISEMENT General disillusionment with
martial law and with the consolidation of political and economic control by Marcos, his family,
and close associates grew during the 1970s. Despite growth in the country’s gross national product,
workers’ real income dropped, few farmers benefited from land reform, and the sugar industry was
in confusion.

The precipitous drop in sugar prices in the early 1980s coupled with lower prices and less
demand for coconuts and coconut products—traditionally the most important export commodity—
added to the country’s economic woes; the government was forced to borrow large sums from the
international banking community. Also troubling to the regime, reports of widespread corruption
began to surface with increasing frequency. Elections for an interim National Assembly were
finally held in 1978. The opposition—of which the primary group was led by the jailed former
senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.—produced such a bold and popular campaign that the official
results, which gave Marcos’s opposition virtually no seats, were widely believed to have been
illegally altered. In 1980 Aquino was allowed to go into exile in the United States, and the
following year, after announcing the suspension of martial law, Marcos won a virtually
uncontested election for a new six-year term. Ferdinand Marcos waving, 1983. Ferdinand Marcos
waving, 1983. A1C Virgil C. Zurbruegg//U.S. Department of Defense The downfall of Marcos
and return of democratic government The assassination of Benigno Aquino as he returned to
Manila in August 1983 was generally thought to have been the work of the military; it became the
focal point of a renewed and more heavily supported opposition to Marcos’s rule. By late 1985
Marcos, under mounting pressure both inside and outside the Philippines, called a snap presidential
election for February 1986. Corazon C. Aquino, Benigno’s widow, became the candidate of a
coalition of opposition parties. Marcos was declared the official winner, but strong public outcry
over the election results precipitated a revolt that by the end of the month had driven Marcos from
power. Aquino then assumed the presidency. Aquino, Corazon Aquino, Corazon Corazon Aquino
(right), 1986. Gerald B. Johnson/U.S. Department of Defense Aquino’s great personal popularity
and widespread international support were instrumental in establishing the new government.
Shortly after taking office, she abolished the constitution of 1973 and began ruling by decree. A
new constitution was drafted and was ratified in February 1987 in a general referendum; legislative
elections in May 1987 and the convening of a new bicameral congress in July marked the return
of the form of government that had been present before the imposition of martial law in 1972.
Euphoria over the ouster of Marcos proved to be short-lived, however. The new government had
inherited an enormous external debt, a severely depleted economy, and a growing threat from
Moro and communist insurgents.

Background of the Study

The researchers aims to know “The Positive and Negative Effects of Martial Law in the Province
of Nueva Ecija”.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this research study is to know the positive and negative effects of Martial Law in
the province of Nueva Ecija

Research Objectives
This study will seek the positive and negative effects of Martial Law in the province of Nueva
Ecija

Hyphotesis
This is a supposition or propounds exploration made on the basis or limited evidence as a starting
point for further investigation. We, researchers believe that there’s a positive and negative effects
of martial law in the province of Nueva Ecija. The researchers suppose that peer pressure has an
impact to teenager students’ academic performance.

Significance of the Study

This is a part of the introduction section of a thesis. It provides details to the reader on how the
study will contribute such as what the study will contribute and who will benefit from it. The
researcher came up with a research study that will benefit a lot of people. In this study, the
people’s of Nueva Ecija will be the main beneficiary because the researcher will determine the
positive and negative effects of martial law.

Scope and Limitations

This practical research focuses on the peoples of Nueva Ecija whose age are ranging from 12 – 19
years old. The target respondents are 200 random peoples of Nueva Ecija. It tackles about the
positive and negative effects of Martial Law in the province of Nueva Ecija
Definition of Terms

Martial law
Regime
Rebellion
Communist
Organized
Against
Violent
Insurgency
Halfhearted
Organization
Embracing
Investor
President
Prime Minister