Lagaña, Rose Evon D.

BSBA - 1C
Activity 11

GEC 2: Readings in Philippine History

Chapter 11: Corazon C. Acquino’s Speech Before the United States Congress on September 18, 1986

Instructions: Identify five (5) points highlighted by President Corazon Aquino in her speech before the
U.S. Congress on September 18, 1968. Explain their significance.

I.

1. The Importance of Democracy - President Aquino emphasized the need for democracy in
the Philippines and thanked the United States for its support in restoring democracy in her
country.

2. The Need to Address Human Rights Situation in the Philippines – President Aquino stated
that there had nevertheless been human rights abuses occurring in the Philippines and
advised the U.S. Congress to assist efforts to tackle this issue.

3. The Need for Economic Assistance – President Aquino requested economic help from the
United States to help rebuild the Philippines after years of dictatorship and corruption.

4. The Importance of International Cooperation - President Aquino emphasized the need for
international cooperation in addressing world problems such as poverty, terrorism, and
human rights abuses.
 5. The Importance of U.S. - Philippines Relation – President Aquino expressed her grasp for
the long-standing friendship between the United States and the Philippines and emphasized
the need to further strengthen this relationship.

II. Write about the biggest contribution about Corazon Aquino during her administration.

However, her biggest contribution was her role in restoring democracy to the country.

When Aquino came to power, the Philippines was under a dictatorship led by Ferdinand Marcos,
who had been in power for more than 20 years. Aquino’s rise to power was the result of the People
Power Revolution, a peaceful uprising that saw millions of Filipinos take to the streets to protest the
fraudulent election result that had declared Marcos the winner.

Aquino’s administration took numerous steps to restore democracy to the country. She also created
the Presidential Commission on Good Government, which was tasked with recovering the wealth
that Marcos and his cronies had stolen from the country.

Under Aquino’s leadership, the Philippines held its first truly democratic election in 1987, which
resulted in a peaceful transfer of power from Aquino to his successor, Fidel Ramos. Her commitment
to democracy and human rights earned her worldwide administration, and she was awarded the
prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1986.

In summary, Corazon Aquino’s biggest contribution during her administration was the restoration of
democracy in the Philippines.