TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 Background
Author
of the
03 Content Presentation and
Analysis

02 Historical Context of the

Document
04 Contribution and Relevance of
the Document in understanding
the Grand Narrative of the
Philippine History
 01
Background of
the Author
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino

Born: January 25, 1933 – Died: August 1, 2009.

was a Filipina politician who served as the 11th

president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992.

She was the most prominent figure of the 1986

People Power Revolution, which ended the two-
decade rule of President Ferdinand Marcos and
led to the establishment of the current
democratic Fifth Philippine Republic.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
Corazon Aquino was married to Senator Benigno
"Ninoy" Simeon Aquino Jr., who was one of the most
prominent critics of President Marcos.

After the assassination of her husband on August 21,

1983, she emerged as leader of the opposition against
the president. In late 1985, Marcos called for a snap
election, and Aquino ran for president with former
Senator Salvador Laurel as her running mate for vice
president , which prompted allegations of electoral
fraud and Aquino's call for massive civil
disobedience actions. Subsequently, the People
Power Revolution, a non-violent mass demonstration
movement, took place from February 22 to 25.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
From this, she detailed how the task to free the
Filipinos and fight for democracy fell into her
shoulders. As the new President of the country, she
went over some of her plans to restore the
government first by reinstituting and amending the
Philippine Constitution, as well as to start
reintegration programs for the healing of the
different localities in the country.
She also acknowledged the 26 billion-dollar debt
acquired by the Marcos regime, managed to create
negotiations to be able to gradually pay for it in
behalf of the previous administration, and lodged an
appeal from the foreigners for further assistance.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
She abolished the 1973 Constitution that was in
force during martial law, and instead promulgated
the provisional 1986 Freedom Constitution, pending
the ratification of a new Constitution by the people.

In her speech before the US Congress, Cory shared

her experiences and sorrows for losing a loving
husband and a good father of her family. She
provided a brief narration of how Marcos suspended
the Philippine Constitution and shut down the
Congress, which eventually led to Ninoy’s exile and
death, highlighting the cruelty she has experienced in
the hands of the military and the dictator.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
As her speech neared its end, she recognized and
thanked the efforts of the American people to help
achieve the democracy the Filipino people have
fought for.
"I find it extremely exciting the fact that democracy
and freedom mattered to the Filipinos more than
their socioeconomic situation. The people had
strong values and beliefs that they would not let
oppressors abuse their rights and privileges as
citizens of the country. The power of a peaceful
protest is also rewarding and motivating, which
inspires me to take good care of and give
importance to the democracy I am enjoying right
now."
 02
Historical Context of
the Document
 Historical Context of the Document
Introduction
1972 - Arrested & incarcerated

1980 - Permitted to travel to the US

1983 - Returned and Assassinated

Historical Context of the Document

Resurrection of Freedom

1986 Snap Election

Historical Context of the Document
1986 People Power & Edsa Revolution

1987 New Constitution of the Philippines

Restoration of Democracy
 Historical Context of the Document
Problems
$26 Billion foreign debt

Insurgencies

Poverty
Unemployed
 03
Content Presentation and
Analysis
Content Presentation
Benigno “Ninoy” Simeon Aquino Jr. - (died August 21, 1983)
(Ninoy Aquino)(Corazon’s Husband)
Speech is held 3 years after Ninoy Aquino’s death (September
18, 1986)
14 years ago which is 1972, The constitution was Suspended,
Shut down the Congress, detained anyone who spoke for
Democracy.
Ninoy was seen as a threat to Marcos
A President Turned Dictator and traitor to his oath =
Ferdinand Marcos (Presidential term: Dec 30 1965 - Feb 25
1986) (20-21 years)
Aquino was arrested, he was stripped, and was sent to solitary
confinement shortly after Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law
during 1972, his imprisonment lasted 7 years
Content Presentation
He went on a hunger strike that lasted 40 days to prove his determination
against President Marcos

3 years ago which was 1980, he suffered a heart attack in prison, he was then
granted permission from Imelda Marcos to leave the country to America but in
the process of Exile, he would spend 3 years in Boston happily with his family

He then came back to the Philippines after 3 years of exile in hopes of making a
peaceful offering to Marcos but was assassinated as he got out the plane, while
his family was still at Boston America.

His death lead to a revolution against Marcos which was later called “The People
Power Revolution” or famously known as EDSA Revolution.

She is giving the speech in The Congress of the United States in Washington DC
Content Presentation
Corazon Aquino lead a rally against Ferdinand Marcos winning of
the 1986 elections with 2 million people supporting her

The 1984 election was a parliamentary election, bribery and

corruption was in fact present
She was running for the position of President

The United Nationalist Democratic Organization (Supporting Aquino)(61)

lost to Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (Supporting Marcos)(114) in the total of
200 because of fraud and corruption
She challenged dictatorship with the power of Democracy
Content Presentation
America had involvement in helping Aquino in democracy against
dictatorship
She did became the President of The Philippines from February 25,
1986 - June 30, 1992
Marcos was exiled to Hawaii, this caused for supporters or
insurgencies to rise
Philippine debt when Marocs became president was $600 million
dollars, when he was exiled debt was $26 Billion dollars

Cheapest Revolution?
 Content Analysis
How close was the author to the event being studied?
Cory Aquino was present and an eyewitness during the time of the Marcos dictatorship and totalitarianism in the
Philippines, as well as she, served as a prominent figure during the People Power Revolution. After winning the
presidency, she spoke to the Americans, and especially to the Filipinos, in her speech about what happened during the
events of Martial Law and the fight for freedom and democracy in our country.

When was the account made?

The event occurred during the President's rise to power of dictatorship which was from Dec 30, 1965, till Feb 25, 1986.
The speech given was spoken on Sept 18, 1986.

Who was the recipient of the account?

The recipient of the account was the whole world since the speech of president Cory Aquino had been broadcasted all
over the world. However, the speech was most meaningful and impactful to the Filipino people since it marked the
end of such a difficult and painful chapter in our country’s history.
 Content Analysis
Is there a bias to be accounted for?
The speech was told in the perspective of Corazon Aquino and what she had learned and saw during the Presidential era of
the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, she was mostly focused on the freedom of the people and the revival of democracy in
the Philippines. She was against a totalitarian government that the Marcos Administration established which permits no
individual freedom and that it seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the government.

Does informed common sense make the account probable?

Considering Corazon Aquino’s involvement during the revolution. She was inspired to continue her husband's principles and
ideals about democracy and freedom, her speech is without a doubt telling the truth about what happened to our country during
the 20-year long dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. She based her speech to the US Congress on her personal experiences during
the revolution, candidacy, and presidency.

Is the account corroborated by other accounts?

There is no evidence that the speech of President Cory Aquino was corroborated by other sources because the speech was
written in her own opinion. Moreover, she was most definitely telling the truth about what she had written in her speech because
she was writing about her experiences during the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos, the totalitarianism form of
government that the Marcos Administration established, the EDSA revolution, her candidacy, and the presidency.
 04
Contribution and Relevance of the Document
in understanding the Grand Narrative of the
Philippine History
 CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The speech of the former President Corazon Aquino gives us the insights on how Filipinos struggled to attain
freedom and between the insisted resistance from the past have inspired Filipino revolutionaries in our current
era. It also gives clarification about what really happened during the time of Ninoy Aquino. The document
describe the struggles faced by the Aquinos to help the Philippines achieve freedom.

The document also mentioned about the debt incurred by the former government before Cory Aquino. This
speech also shows how the dictator ship transforms into democratic government. From its president down to
its laws, order ,and rules. The document also mentioned the killing of Ninoy Aquino and the terror from torture
and conviction during the Martial Law.

It shows the problem faced by Cory Aquino as soon as she became the President. For instance the poverty
and unemployment. The document mentioned two elections occurred after the death of Ninoy Aquino. His
wife participated during the election and lose in the first election. During the second which is snap
election, she became the President and declares democracy in the Philippines.
 CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Also this publication contributed to the Philippine History by tracing the country’s first steps toward restoring
democracy, which the Marcos regime had prohibited. This publication allows Filipinos to understand and
remember the brutal realities of the Marcos tyranny and as the country’s first female president, Corazon
Aquino’s speech had a great influence not just on the country but also on the words view of women in
leadership roles.
The document is relevant in the Philippine history especially in the diplomatic and political history since
this has arguably cemented the legitimacy of the EDSA government in the international arena. Moreover,
the ideology of the new democratic government can also be seen in the same speech. Furthermore, this
document contributed to the Philippine history as it also traced back the first step of the country to restore
the democracy that the Marcos government outlawed. This document allows the Filipino to people to know
and to not forget the harsh reality during the dictatorship of Marcos. Lastly, since Corazon Aquino was the
first female president of the country, her speech had a strong impact not just in the country but also on the
world's perception of women in power.
 CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The author’s main arguments focused on the constitutional and economic recovery of the country after the
dictatorship of Marcos. Corazon Aquino wanted to seek financial assistance from the Americans to help the
country recover. Moreover, Corazon’s speech was also to officially declare and mark the freedom of the Filipino
people and to express how the Filipino citizens united to take back the democracy that was taken away from
them during the Marcos’ era.

The document is relevant to the understanding of the history of our country and our fellow Filipinos. In my part,
I have learned more from what I read about her speech and the research I research about its background.

It is way relevant in understanding how our fellow Filipinos react to the Martial Law and start a
revolution. The Filipinos, can be brave and peaceful at the same time. And that these people know their
rights and their power. It is relevant in the sense that one great thing is still possible throughout the
history. That we can do the same when facing some dilemma and rise up against who holds us back.
 CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT (CORAZON
AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE JOINT OF THE US CONGRESS) IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The document is relevant to the Philippine History especially in the diplomatic and political history since this
has arguably cemented the EDSA government in the international arena. Moreover, the ideology of the new
democratic government can also be seen in the same speech.

The document contributed to the Philippine History as it also traced back the first step of the country to restore
the democracy that the Marcos government outlawed. This document allows the Filipino people to know and to
not forget the harsh reality during the dictatorship of Marcos..

Lastly, since Corazon Aquino was the first female president of the country, her speech had a strong
impact not just in the country but also on the world’s perception of women in power.
 References
Background of the Author
Alolod, F. (2020).This documents provides a clear summary of the Corazon Aquino's speech during her visit in the United States
after she won the Presidency. Studocu https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-st-la-salle/readings-in-philippine-
history/corazon-aquinos-speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-congress/9926642

Aquino, C. (1986). President Corazon Aquino's Speech before the Joint Session of the U.S Congress. Iowa State
University.https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2017/03/21/speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-congress-sept-18-1986/

The Philippine Judiciary Foundation. (2011). The History of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila. Supreme
Court of the Philippines. https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/387/#:~:text=President%20Corazon%20C%2C%20Aquino%20proceeded,a
%20Provisional%20%E2%80%9CFreedom%E2%80%9D%20Constitution.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2022). Alternate titles: Maria Corazon Aquino, Maria Corazon Cojuangco. Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Corazon-Aquino

Historical Context of the Document

Angelo (2017). Corazon Aquino. "Corazon Aquino a Saint and a Hero." The MY HERO Project, Inc.
https://myhero.com/C_Aquino_dnhs_US_2012_ul
Aquino, C. (1986). Democracy by the ways of democracy : speeches of President Corazon C. Aquino, official visit to
the United States of America, September 15-24, 1986. Official Gazette.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/09/22/speech-of-president-corazon-aquino-on-non-violence-as-the-key-to-
peace/
 References
Content Presentation and Analysis
Speech before the joint session of the United States Congress - Sept. 18, 1986
https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2017/03/21/speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-congress-sept-18-1986/

Contribution and Relevance of the Document in understanding the Grand Narrative of

the Philippine History
Yadis, M. (2022). Corazon Aquino's Speech Before The U.S. Congress. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/530900150/Corazon-Aquin
s-Speech-before-the-U-S-
Lucena, Jm (2014). Corazon Aquino's speech before the US congress. Slide Share a Scribd
company.https://www.slideshare.net/jmlucena1/corazon-aquinos-speech-before-the-us-congress
Gonzaga A. (2022). Analysis ON THE Speech OF CORY Aquino During THE US Congress. Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/sti-college/accountancy/analysis-on-the-speech-of-cory-aquino-during-the-us-
congress/16218081
Keilse. (2022). Content and Contextual Analysis: Speech of Corazon Aquino. Scribd.
https://www.scribd.com/document/481513943/Content-and-Contextual-Analysis-Speech-of-Corazon-Aquino-
Moreno-Keilse