SOC SCI 102
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
MR. IREN JAN DONATO - INSTRUCTOR
Martial Law
OUTLINE
I. Defining Marcos and Martial Law
II. Pre-Martial Law Background
III. Declaration of Martial Law
IV. Implementation of Martial Law
Policies
V. Initial Economic Development
VI. Marcos’ Re-election
VII. Lifting of Martial Law
VIII. EDSA and the Bloodless
Overthrow
MARCOS AND MARTIAL LAW
Ferdinand Marcos
• Born: September 11, 1917.
• 10th President of the Philippines:
1965 to 1986.
• Marcos portrayed himself as a
charismatic leader with a military
background, leveraging his image
as a decorated soldier.
• Declared martial law in 1972, citing
the need to suppress communist
insurgency and restore order.
Martial Law
• Temporary military control over civil
functions or suspension of civil law.
• Implemented during emergencies
or civil unrest.
• Military assumes authority,
enforcing curfews, restricting
movement, and limiting personal
freedoms.
• Often justified for maintaining public
order, national security, or
responding to significant threats.
PRE-MARTIAL LAW
• Economic challenges in the late
1960s and early 1970s.
SEM 01
FINALS
• GDP growth slowdown, rising
unemployment, and inflation.
• New People's Army (NPA)
emerged in response to social
injustices.
• NPA aimed for a communist state
through armed struggle.
• Political opposition, led by figures
like Senator Benigno "Ninoy"
Aquino Jr., grew.
DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW
• September 21, 1972: President
Marcos issued Proclamation 1081,
declaring martial law.
• Justified as a response to
communist insurgency, political
instability, and civil unrest.
• Suspension of the Writ of Habeas
Corpus empowered authorities for
widespread arrests.
• Marcos consolidated power, ruling
by decree, bypassing traditional
processes.
• Initial public support due to fears of
insurgency and promises of
economic reforms.
IMPLEMENTATION OF MARTIAL LAW
POLICIES
• Media censorship imposed during
martial law, with government control
of major outlets.
• Political opposition suppressed
through arrests, detentions, or exile.
• Arbitrary arrests and human rights
abuses surged, including torture,
extrajudicial killings, and
disappearances.
• Martial law witnessed severe
human rights violations
documented by organizations like
Amnesty International (1977).
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READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
MR. IREN JAN DONATO - INSTRUCTOR
INITIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic Reforms
• New Society Program introduced
economic reforms.
• Aimed to restructure the economy,
address poverty, and inequality.
• Included land reform,
industrialization, and promotion of
agribusiness.
Infrastructure Projects
• Ambitious projects to modernize the
country.
• Construction of highways, bridges,
airports, and telecommunications
networks.
• Intended to enhance transportation,
communication, and overall
economic development.
Economic Growth
• Initial economic growth and
increased foreign investments.
• Notable GDP growth due to
implemented economic policies.
• Foreign investments attracted by
incentives and development
opportunities.
MARCOS’ RE-ELECTION
1978 Presidential Election
• Marcos secured re-election despite
concerns about authoritarian rule.
• Won by a significant margin,
extending his term in office.
• Marked a continuation of his
presidency and further
concentration of power.
Electoral Controversy:
• Legitimacy questioned by critics
and opposition groups.
• Allegations of electoral fraud,
manipulation, and coercion.
• International observers and human
rights organizations expressed
doubts.
Authoritarian Rule
SOC SCI 102
SEM 01
FINALS
• Marcos' re-election solidified
authoritarian rule.
• Tightened control, suppressed
dissent, and marginalized political
opposition.
LIFTING OF MARTIAL LAW
Martial Law Termination
• Formally lifted on January 17, 1981.
• Presented as a response to
improving security conditions and
political stabilization.
• Critics argued it was more symbolic
than substantive, as authoritarian
control persisted.
Constitutional Amendments
• Despite lifting, Marcos retained
authoritarian control through
constitutional amendments.
• Changes to the 1973 Constitution
allowed maintenance of vast
executive powers.
• Enabled ruling by decree, sidelining
checks and balances within the
government.
"New Republic"
• Marcos declared the establishment
of the "New Republic" after lifting
martial law.
• Presented as a continuation of the
New Society, maintaining
authoritarian rule.
EDSA AND THE BLOODLESS
OVERTHROW
Escalation of Dissent
• Escalation of dissent and opposition
throughout the early 1980s.
• Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.'s
assassination in 1983 fueled public
outrage and intensified opposition.
Snap Presidential Election (1986)
• Snap election initially aimed to
legitimize Marcos's rule.
• Corazon Aquino emerged as the
primary opposition candidate.
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 SOC SCI 102
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
MR. IREN JAN DONATO - INSTRUCTOR
SEM 01
FINALS
• Allegations of election fraud led to
widespread protests and
demonstrations.
People Power Revolution

• Key defections from military and

government officials weakened
Marcos's hold on power.
• EDSA became the focal point of
mass mobilization and protests.
• People Power Revolution:
Nonviolent protests leading to the
bloodless overthrow of the Marcos
regime.
Overthrow and Restoration
of Democracy

• Culmination of People Power

Revolution resulted in the bloodless
overthrow.
• Marcos fled in February 1986, and
Corazon Aquino sworn in as the
new president.
• Marked the end of decades of
authoritarian rule in the Philippines.

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