Before Edsa 1: Marcos and authoritarian rule in the Philippines

Ferdinand Marcos
Described by Abinales as the new breed of Filipino politicians
He became president in 1965 and was reelected in 1969.
He combine control over his local bailiwick, the ilocos region, with connections
established in college as member of an elite fraternity
Marcos centralized the old decentralized power order
His ability to combine the traditional use of patronage with more modern mechanism of
winning elections and sustaining power, he also used the media to win presidency
He declared martial law in 1972 using discourse of national crisis due to threats from
communist and oligarchy
He’s use of violence along with his economic mismanagement which plunged the country
to economic decline and failing physical health eroded his authority right after 1978.
Marcos regime came to its end due to the wake of the EDSA people power revolution
starting February 22 to February 25 1986.
Marcos died at 28 September 1989 in Hawaii

POST EDSA PHILIPPINES

The assassination of Ninoy Aquino Jr. in August 21 1983 created a crisis that accelerated
the downfall of the Marcos Regime.
Ninoy was the archrival of Marcos
Ninoy was expected to run for presidency in 1973 election but was imprisoned by marcos
Ninoy was freed by marcos in 1980 and was sent to America to cure his heart disease
The assassination of Ninoy led to the traditional elites to abandon marcos but also
organized the opposition efforts of her wife Corazon “Cory” Cojuanco-Aquino.
The opposition to Marcos can no longer be contained until he called for a snap election
on Febraury 1986
It woke up people power and gave an uprising in February 1986, Cory Aquino was
catapulted and Marcos was overthrown.
Cory replaced the 1973 Constitution with Freedom Constitution

Challenges during Cory Aquino’s Presidency

Cory Aquino bereft if political support coming from a political party or any political
organization
Constant threats of , and attempts at, unseating her from presidency
A series of coup attempts were launched by officers of the Reform the Armed forces
Movement or RAM
RAM – a Rebellious faction of the politicized military establishment
Total of 9 coup attempts were launched by disgruntled elements of the military
Cory was also forced to address the issue dealing with human rights violators among the
military and police.
 Cory vowed to seek justice for the victims of human rights in her campaign in 1986 snap
election

REFORMS BY POST-MARCOS GOVERNMENT

Corazon Cory Aquino (1986-1992)

Innovative political reform that undertaken on her administration
Republic Act No. 7160 or an Act providing for a local government code of 1991

Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998)

Came to power with a much stronger reform impulse
Dream of making the Philippine the next Asian Tiger economy
On Ramos 2nd SONA on July 26, 1993 he laid out his strategic framework to establish an
effective government (Philippine 2000)
Introduction of the party list system in the Philippines that was caused by the reform
during Ramos Administration
Republic Act No. 7941 or an act providing for the election of party list representatives

Joseph E. Estrada (1998-2001)

Won presidency with an overwhelming victory in 1998
He garnered 40% of the total vote
Presidency was cut short in 2001 due to charge of bribery and graft and corruption
People power 2 uprising during January 2001 protest that installed Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo to Presidency
Estrada was plunder charged and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, or a 40 year
imprisonment
Was later on given pardon by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010)

Took over when Estrada was ousted via the People power 2 uprising in 2001
First 2 years of her presidency was spent consolidating her hold on the presidency
2nd longest sitting president and the only one that sought reelection after Marcos
Best average of economic performance
SONA 2004 she outlined her anticorruption campaign
Lifestyle check and Integrity Development review were designed to detect corruption
Strengthen anticorruption agencies
Even through all of this Corruption only worsened and 59% was dissatisfied with her
performance as president
 Some incidents like scandals and charges on draft and corruption led to Arroyo being
called for an impeachment and Resignation in 2005,2006, and 2008

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III

Became president on 2010 with the slogan of “Daang Matuwid”
The framework of the rule of law serves as the foundation for a democratic society
Fighting Corruption is a major agenda of Aquino administration
During 2010 ranked as lowest Asian country in term of order and security and second to
the last in absence of corruption
Last SONA on July 27, 2015 he reported his achievements in his fight against corruption
Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was filed an impeachment case for betrayal of public
trust forcing her to resign
Former chief of justice Renato Corona was convicted and removed from office for
betrayal of public trust
Before he stepped down the Aquino administration has resulted to have a continued
economic growth and detention of key personalities
Disbursement Acceleration Program(DAP) was introduced “ as a reform intervention to
speed-up public spending and boost economic growth”
DAP violates Section 25 (5), Article VI of the 1987 constitution and doctrines of
separation of the executive and the legislative branch
Mar Roxas vowed to continue Daang Matuwid

Remaining Problems of Philippine Democracy

Issue in the government includes poverty, the weakly institutionalized party system, armed
challenges to central government authority from the communist guerrilla movement and Islamic-
based secessionist movement and economic mismanagement, to name a few.