Orat, Ryan M.

BS Chem 2 GE-RPH MWF 2:30-3:30 PM November 29, 2019

Eyewitness Accounts of Philippine Society under Martial Law

Name of Grandparent: Anita Maloloy-on Malingin

Residence or Location during the Martial Law: Soong, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

A. Purchasing Power
According to the personal account of my grandmother, the economy during the
Martial Law was robust, in fact the prices of basic commodities such as rice grains, milk,
sugar, and other necessities were cheaper. However, there were problems regarding the
accessibility of some products since some stores were closed. But overall, despite her
senile memory, she could still muster enough recollection to judge that the purchasing
power during the Marcus regime was bolstered due to lower prices of goods and
increasing wages in the workplace. This was of course based on her current situation
during that time, thus subjective and context-dependent. Moreover, she deemed the
economic status of the Philippines during that time as overall desirable.
B. Freedom of Speech and Expression
In my interview, she vehemently emphasized the degradation of the freedom of
speech and expression during the time of Martial Law. She pointed out how the freedom
of the people to protest against the administration was being curtailed. Even talking
about the government casually was taken as resistance and thus punished without the
treatment of fair trial. Hence, according to her, they could not talk about the government
openly in the streets without any fear. In addition, the media, especially the news media
during that time, was curated by the government to reveal only the good angles about the
administration and to avoid any source of resistance. Hence, the available news media
was not reliable and accurate. In conclusion, my grandmother stressed out how the
freedom of speech and expression was greatly challenged during the Marcus regime.
C. Human Rights
Based on the descriptions of my grandmother, the human rights during the time of
Martial Law was jeopardized. In fact, she could attest that extrajudicial killings occurred
during that time. Although she did not witness it first hand, she was aware about the
presence of abuse done by the military. The cases of rape and torture were rampant. The
visibility of military personnel in the streets, although it signified the imposition of
security, counterintuitively mortified her, thus she tried as much as possible to avoid any
sightings of them at any moment. Additionally, she though that the reason why the People
Power thrived was due to the people’s vehement contention against any tolerance of
human right violation. She too was done turning a blind eye against the fall out of human
rights preservation.