Speech of Corazon

Aquino
Before the US Congress

GROUP 4
Cabading, Katherine
Cabalteja, Jenny Marie
Dampulay, Riz Erbium
Lazaro, Sidnie Ivan
Rebanal, Lorraine Hellery
Tabil, Hazel Anne
Tapuro, Keith
Who is Corazon Aquino?
• Born as Maria Corazon Aquino Sumulong

Cojuangco on January 25, 1933.

• Graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent

in New York in 1954, with Bachelors degree in both

French and Mathematics.

• A widow of late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino,

the oppositions of former President Ferdinand

Marcos.
• Corazon Aquino was the 11th president (and first female
president) of the Philippines.

• She was widely accredited as the “Mother of Asian

Democracy.

• Function as the symbol of the restoration of the democracy

and the overthrow of the Marcos Dictatorship in 1986.
• Was named timed Mgazine’s Woman of the year in 1986.

• Presidential term: (6 years) February 25,1986- June 30, 1992.

• Died: August 1, 2009 at the age of 76.

WhyCorazongivesspeechintheUSCongress?
Corazon Aquino gave a speech in th US Congress on
September 25 1986

• She sought help in addressing the 26 billion dollars

foreign debt and a communist insurgency that grew from
500 armed guerillas to 16,000 during Mrcos Regime.

• In her speech she called the Americans to help Philippines

in preserving the freedom and democracy.
• She managed to influence the votes to favor the 200
million dollars financial aid towards rebuilding the
Philippine Economy.

• The speech was written by Foreign Affairs Secretary

Teddy “Boy” Lacson. A cyrrent ambassador to the United
Nations.

• Thanking the US government and the people who

supported during revolution.
Batas Militar ( Martial Law)
Proclamation of Martial Law: On September
21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed
the Philippines under Martial Law. The
declaration issued under Proclamation 1081
suspended the civil rights and imposed military
authority in the country.
 Martial Law is a strategic approach to
legally defend the Constitution and protect
the welfare of the Filipino people from the
dangerous threats posed by Muslim rebel
groups and Christian vigilantes that places
national security at risk during the time.
Martial Law would officially end on January 17, 1981 with
Proclamation No. 2045. Marcos, however, would reserve
degree-making powers for himself.

Today, the 1987 Constitution safeguards our institutions

from a repeat of Marcos’ Martial Law regime.
EDSAPeople Power Revolution
The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution gathered millions of
Filipinos from all walks of life to march along Epifanio de los
Santos Avenue (EDSA), the main artery of Metro Manila, to
end the dictatorship of President Ferdinand E. Marcos and
begin a new era marked by true freedom and democracy. This
spirit of the movement was not confined to Manila; it
manifested through non-violent demonstrations staged in
different cities nationwide—it was a revolution marked by its
peaceful means, led by a nation united to reclaim liberty.
• The People Power revolution of 1986 was widely recognized
around the world for its peaceful character.

• When former senator Ninoy Aquino was shot at the Mnila

International Airport on August 21, 1983, the Marcos
regime greatly suffered a crisis of legitimacy. Protest from
different sectors frequented different areas in the country.

• Marcos called for a ‘Snap Election’ in February 1986,

where Cory Aquino was convinced to run against Marcos.
• The canvassing was rigged to Marcos’s favor, but the people
expressed their protests against the corrupt and
authoritarian government.

• The civillians in EDSA successfully turned a coup into

civillian demonstration. The thousands of people who
gathered overthrow Ferdinand Marcos from the presidency
after 21 years.
What are the bias’s in CorazonAquino Speech?
The speech centers on the miserable experiences of the
Aquino family, how the family mourns about their loss
and how the government treated their family. She did
not state the positive contributions of Marcos
administration and only focused on the negative term.

Corazon Aquino’s speech was based on her insights on

the primary experiences before and after the death of
her source husband, Ninoy Aquino.
Personal bias: We certainly observe and analyze the
speech based on her personal bias, depicted her personal
experiences, challenges, struggles and the loss of her
husband.

Political bias: As for political, being a leader. Aquino

highlighted the freedom and struggles between the
dictatorship and insurgency.
Historical bias: It is also included in the speech that it
focuses the changes from the dictatorship to democracy
during her reign.

National Bias: It is also emphasized the strong support

of our national pride and identity as she stand on behalf
of us Filipino.

Emotional bias: We can forget the emotional biases such

as the losses, struggles, and hopes to speak up on behalf
of Filipino people.
What is the relevance of the speech ?
Readings through Aquino’s Speech, we
can already cues, not just on a Cory’s
individual guiding principles and
aspirations, but also the guiding
principles and framework of the
government that she represented.
• Revisiting the speech is not onle a reflection but
also a timeless call.
• To support the ideas of democracy and freedom.
• It reminds us of the importance of international
solitary.
• The role that shared values shape Global relations
and supporting nations in their pursuit of
democratic government.
REFERENCES

• https://youtu.be/-NJnWXL8oHY?si=1lUKH6JxGRTIFBqj

• ttps://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/edsa/

• https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/Martial-law

• https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Philippines-since-c-1990

• https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2017/03/21/speech-before-the-joint-session-of-the-united-states-
congress-sept-18-1986/

• https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/09/18/speech-of-president-corazon-aquino-during-the-
joint-session-of-the-u-s-congress-september-18-1986/
Thank you
for
listening!
 "Anarchism is not a romantic
fable but the hardheaded
realization, based on five
thousand years of experience, that
we cannot entrust the
management of our lives to kings,
priests, politicians, generals, and
county commissioners."
-Edward Abbey