ANITA SALES FULO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK

STUDENT NUMBER: 201-1863

READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Martial Law

Discuss the following with citation (cite your reliable basis/sources).

1. Why did Ferdinand Marcos implement Martial Law?

- Martial Law is a military government. It is the suspension of ordinary law. The

declaration of Martial Law is one of the President's powers as Commander-in-Chief
of our nation's armed forces. This power can only be used in times of crisis for
people's security and to accelerate the distribution of justice. During such times, the
military and its accompanying superiors take over the executive, legislative and
judicial functions normally delegated to the civil government by virtue of its
constitution. Martial Law is the best example of the type of government which shows
the iron hand leadership.

- The reason why Martial Law was implemented to the Philippines on September 21,
1972 by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is the president himself believes that there is
existing actually and presently a serious danger to the republic. Another factor that
triggered the implementation of Martial law was the allegedly ambush on Juan Ponce
Enrile. And to the growing number of communists in the country. And the left and
right rallies during those era.

2. Was Marcos Martial truly the Golden Age, Corruption, and Abuses? Support your
answers.

- The Philippines, during the period, became one of the heaviest borrower-countries in
the world. The economy falls, debt slump. There was a big increased of
unemployment that leads people to starvation. Income inequality grew during the era
of martial law. After 6 months to 2 years of implementation, reports of corruption
started coming up. 10 billion dollars was plundered to the Philippines, and it just a
proportion. The monopolies built was used on self-interest. A large percentage of
government funds are allocated to non-significant items. Economically during that era
it was the worst.

- 75,730 is the total case of Human Rights Violations during Martial Law. About
70,000 people were imprisoned and 34,000 tortured, 800 were missing including Lina
while 3,240 were killed from 1972 to 1981. During this dark chapter of Philippine
history, thousands of people were subject to various forms of torture. Prisoners were
electrocuted, beaten up, and strangled. They were burned with a flat iron or cigars.
Water was poured down their throats, then forced out by beating. Women were
stripped naked and raped, various objects forced into their genitals.
 - So in the end, Marcos Martial Law was never a Golden Era. Never!

3. Why was Marcos overthrown?

- In 1986, over a million Filipinos took to the streets to overthrow the corrupt and
brutal regime of President Ferdinand Marcos. It was called the People Power
Revolution. President Marcos and his wife Imelda had ruled the Philippines for 20
years. Too many people were tired of his thieving and murdering, his refusal to leave
and his control of the press. On the eve of the revolution, President Marcos was
already a demoralized and beleaguered dictator. The international community of
nations was convinced that there was fraud in the February 7 snap election and that he
was a president who no longer had the mandate of the people. At that moment,
influential members of the U.S. Congress were already urging Marcos to step down
and over the presidency to Mrs. Corazon Cojuanco Aquino.

RESOURCES:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/magazine-35526200
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be3wLiPUN9A&feature=youtu.be
3. https://baliuagu.instructure.com/courses/8959/modules/items/149968
4. https://www.oocities.org/collegepark/pool/1644/marcosera