Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand Edralin Marcos (September 11, 1917–September 28, 1989) was the tenth President of the Philippines, serving from 1965 to 1986. As president, he instituted an authoritarian regime that allowed him to stay in power. He was removed from office by the peaceful EDSA Revolution in 1986.

As President

His first term in office showed a lot of promise, building on the relatively robust economy by developing the country's infrastructure and intensifying tax collection.

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He liberalized trade with the free world, hastening the industrialization of the Philippines. He improved agricultural production to make the country self-sufficient in food, especially in rice. Marcos also tried to strengthen the foreign relations of the Philippines. He hosted a seven-nation summit conference on the crisis in South Vietnam in October, 1966. In support for the U.S. military efforts in South Vietnam, he agreed to send Filipino troops to that war zone.

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Throughout his 20-year tenure, Marcos maintained a close alliance with the United States and was a close friend of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Lyndon Johnson. He launched major military campaigns against Communist New People's Army and Moro insurgents. He was an outspoken critic of communism. He sent forces to Vietnam to assist the Americans, as well as medical teams to do humanitarian work.

Related Topics:
United States - Richard Nixon - Ronald Reagan - Lyndon Johnson - Communist - New People's Army - Moro - Vietnam

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He was re-elected in 1969, along with Fernando Lopez, becoming the first president of the Republic of the Philippines to be elected to a full second term.

Related Topics:
1969 - Fernando Lopez - Republic of the Philippines

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In 1971, Marcos called for a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of revising the 1935 Constitution. The Convention was composed of 321 elected delegates headed by former Presidents Carlos P. Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal. However, the Convention's image was tarnished by scandals which included the bribing of some delegates to "vote" against a proposal to prohibit Marcos from staying in power under a new constitution.

Related Topics:
Carlos P. Garcia - Diosdado Macapagal

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Marcos' second term was marked by increasing civil strife known as the "First Quarter Storm." After a series of bombings in Manila claimed to have been carried out by the New People's Army of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Marcos warned of imminent Communist takeover. On September 21, 1972, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081, he declared martial law over the entire country, thereby extending his term indefinitely. By 1973, he had assumed dictatorial control—ushering in a so-called constitutional authoritarianism.

Related Topics:
First Quarter Storm - New People's Army - September 21 - 1972 - Proclamation No. 1081 - Martial law - 1973 - Dictator - Authoritarianism

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