Summary of the Speech

The speech entitled “ Encounter with Destiny” states all the accomplishments,
reforms, and implementations that Marcos have done during his term, including
transformations in the lives of every Filipinos during martial law and the impact it
brought to them. Take a look back on the evening of September 23, 1972 the military
rule began in the country , which was imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Under the declaration of this rule or commonly known as Martial Law , the country was
under a martial discipline which is needed in order to save the republic. Due to the
rampant corruption , rebellion , crisis and other forces that put our country into a
dilemma, the late president has to declare martial law where it puts all the power of
government in the hands of one man. The starting point where the unforgettable events
during the 70's in the midst of Marcos regime has truly shaped the history of our
country.
In the beginning of Martial law, Marcos made many specific promises in order to
achieve his dream of the New Society in which every individual Filipino could be free to
fulfill their potential as human beings, such as no longer would Filipinos live in poverty,
hunger, corruption, mass deception, and violence. And this was what the Filipinos ever
dream to achieve. But from the past eight years,the consequences fell upon Marcos
administration's social order in which the privileges of the few were enjoyed over the
degradation of the many that brought about the destruction of the Republic of the
Philippines—the death of a nation, through violent revolution. That due to the
selfishness of some conflict became evident to the many.

End Violence and Usher in Peace

History shows how societies are saved and regenerated in different ways. In
the eight short years of the New Society, they were able to disarm the criminal
syndicates and significantly defused the dangers of subversion, sedition, rebellion, and
secession. By confiscating all the firearms such as artillery, machine guns, and armored
cars etc. or surrendering it to the government in order to reduce the rebellion .The
Armed Forces of the Philippines and the intelligence agencies have succeeded in
conceiving the leaders as well as the members of the Partido Nagkaisang Sosyalistang
Demokratiko ng Pilipinas, or SOCDEM. Even some of the members and leaders belong
to the rebellion like Assemblyman Luis Taruc was there, to join them to strengthen their
commitment to the republic.
End Hunger and Drive Development

Social reforms, including the nutrition program were implemented, the increasing
number of day care centers all over the land,which has been adopted by the United
Nations—health program, a family planning program . They also give way to the
educational system it has been reoriented to determine its needs, emphasizing
vocational and technical skills. As well as the colleges , science and engineering are
emphasized too. They believed that they were able to show their capacities and the
economic status for their society for the last eight years.

End Poverty and Create Equality

In economic terms , it is known by some that the debts of the country ballooned
during Marcos regime, inefficient management is one of the reasons why our debts
toward other countries have been shifted in long-term which result in bad credit
worthiness that could be considered one of the downsides of His administration. But
despite of that they are able to make the standard of living of Filipinos, by increasing the
salaries and wages of Filipino workers.

End Corruption and Enact Justice

The corruption before is truly rampant up until now in our current generation,
but during the time of Marcos administration many officials have been kicked out in the
government, more than 6,000 officers and employees , In the armed forces, more than
8,800 men over a period of eight years were punished.
Also, along his speech He mentioned the crisis on energy has been met up,
but they come up to the solution by means of accelerating the energy program, which
includes the intensified search or prospecting for oil and gas and other hydrocarbons
within our jurisdiction. They have discovered and are beginning to exploit new coal
deposits. In the entire island of Semirara, they discovered coal deposits. In Cagayan
Valley, in Bicol, Mindanao and Samar, they have discovered geothermal sources.
Making the Philippines has been next to the United States when it comes to rural
electrification.
In the latter part before Marcos disclosed His speech , he states that upon the
request of the residents therein, the two autonomous regions in Mindanao,shall
continue the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and in other
places.
 There have been a lot of criticisms thrown into him, lack of support upon his
countrymen but the blame cannot be put on them, Marcos regime were clothed with
different controversies that are still hanging up in the air, Ferdinand E. Marcos can be
considered as a great President in the history but sadly the bad things outweighs all the
good things He have done in the country due to his selfish motive and changing all the
constitutions according to his want favoring His sake than many. That along with His
projects and his contributions there is a hidden agenda behind all of that.

Context of the Document

Analysis

The Termination of Martial law speech by Former President Marcos on January 17,
1981 is a document subsequent to the Martial law Declaration since September 21,
1972. Martial law is known for having caused terror, suppression and deception to the
Filipino people at that time. Meanwhile, the Marcos Administration says that Martial Law
was a response to various leftist and rightist plans against the Administration, is a
means of saving the republic and to reform society. This statement discusses the great
quest to New Society Movement, or Bagong Lipunan vision by the former president
Ferdinand E. Marcos, up to its end or termination. In reading his statement one has to
keep in mind that Marcos is a politician, and under an authoritarian dictatorship. It
should also consider the state of the nation/people that time, their claims. In his
statement, he persuades us to look deeper and see the fruits of the said movement. He
professes how his implementation of martial law for 8 years has reduced communists,
rebels, subversion, sedition and secession, by the help of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines. He said that the martial law is a part of discipline of every individual man
that eventually transforms a nation. All through, he proudly states the political, economic
and social transformations. These claims are thought by the Filipinos as a deception at
that time, because they see the vision as a bait from a corruptible government who aims
for self-benefit. Moreover, it is persuasive to hear that many ‘trusts’ his governance but
actually with what happened on EDSA people power revolution is an absolute opposite.
Marcos’ reign is a big part of the history specially on his ability to control economic
stands, though it is inevitable for a politician to undergo corruption Marcos has its
different case. We can see it as a win-win principle, by a theory about short-term
governance vs. a long term governance or roving bandits vs. stationary bandits
accordingly. Mancur Olson was a great economist who came up with a very useful
analogy to help explain the behavior of many governments. He pointed out that a
“roving bandit” has an incentive to maximize short-run plunder by stealing everything
from victims (i.e. a 100 percent tax rate), whereas a “stationary bandit” has an incentive
to maximize long-run plunder by stealing just a portion of what victims produce every
year (i.e., the revenue-maximizing tax rate).
Background of its Author

The author of the speech is no other than His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos
former President of the Philippines, Marcos attended school in Manila and studied law
in the late 1930s at the University of the Philippines, near that city. He was a member of
the Philippine House of Representatives (1949-1959) and Senate (1959-1965) before
winning the presidential election. Marcos held onto the presidency until 1986, when his
people rose against his dictatorial rule and he was forced to flee.

Facts about the author :

● Known For: Philippines dictator
● Born: September 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Philippine
● Parents: Mariano Marcos, Josefa Edralin
● Died: September 28, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii
● Education: University of the Philippines, College of Law
● Awards and Honors: Distinguished Service Cross, Medal of Honor
● Spouse: Imelda Marcos(m. 1954–1989)
● Children: Imee,Bongbong,Irene, Aimee (adopted)
● Notable Quote: "I often wonder what I will be remembered in history for. Scholar?
Military hero? Builder?"

Importance of the Text

● It let us know what life was before when this law was declared in the country and
also on what happened to the Filipino before under Marcos regime, it gave us a
preview to know what their sufferings and situation during that time.
● Makes every Filipino united especially during the termination of Martial Law and
during the Edsa people power 1&2 millions of people gather to fight for our total
independence under the dictatorship of Pres. Marcos.
● It builds our moral and behavioral actions concrete because of how President
Marcos mold our fellow Filipinos under his dictatorship, especially the teenager
boys who undergo ROTC. It makes them well disciplined and act in a very good
manner.
● To remember the sacrifices of those people who stood up for our today’s
freedom, to serve as the basis of government for the future generation that will
lead the country.
Text Contribution to Understanding Philippine History

Through reading the speech it laid out what accomplishments the Marcos
regime have done in the country. Being subjective may it sound , it did not mention the
cruelty that goes along with his plans that brought great impacts to Filipinos today. In
this speech , it serves as one of the passages to know more deeply the real situation
and sufferings of our fellow Filipinos during the Martial Law. Including the effects that
this law has brought , such as tremendous crime, corruption, iniquities, inhumane
treatment and fear to the hearts of the Filipino people. That up until now the shadow of
the past has brought significant effects to us like corruption in our politics today, it is still
rampant in the government as well as the greediness of some person who is in the
position, who aspires more wealth and power while they are elected, the corrupt
government system in the country is still evident . And the trauma that Filipinos obtained
during martial law has its effect, still in their hearts, that is why they become very
passive today. Filipinos are very talented , smart , and innovative. They have different
potentials but they are not really confident to show it,because they brought the attitude
before that whatever told them by the authority there is no left choice for them but to
follow. Because those few who tried to oppose those in the government are getting
maltreated and some who tried to speak out their mind gets a threat from the other party
that is why justice in our country could be bailed out through money and power.
 Encounter with
Destiny

Speech
of
His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos
President of the Philippines
During the termination of Martial Law

Arcilla, Hazel Joy

Aranton, Valerie Joy
Velarde, Altavanille Faye