As President (First Term)
Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos at the Presidential Inauguration in 1965 (top-destination-choice-the-philippines.com)
After spending time in the army, Marcos won the 1965 Presidential election and became a popular president during his first term. He started a public works program for the Philippines, such as building roads having projects for improving the conditions in the city. His accomplishments during his first term led him to winning a second term for his presidency.
As a Dictator (Second Term and Martial Law)
Marcos declaring martial law on September 23, 1972 (jackthescribbler.com)
Marcos did his best to win his second term of presidency. After
winning the election, similar problems plagued Marcos throughout his rule:
"The poverty was still there as was the widespread graft and corruption; and the enormous chasm between the lower and upper class still existed. There was little evidence that he had done anything to alleviate any of these problems."
- The Marcos File, pg. 119
President Marcos was also involved in a lot of scandals. On August 21, 1971, two grenades exploded in a political rally for politicians running against Marcos that was held in the Plaza Miranda in Manila. All Liberal Party candidates were injured in the incident. After a staged assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, Marcos declared martial law on September 23, 1972 to get more years of power.
Francisco Tatad, former press secretary of Marcos, stated what he thought about martial law:
Francisco Tatad, former press secretary of Marcos, stated what he thought about martial law:
"I would sit, dumbfounded, in Manila during the years of martial law and listen to Marcos tell the Rotary Club or the Business and Professional Woman's Organization that 'the Filipino is unable to govern himself, he is not ready for democracy. I am the only one who can lead.' "
- Francisco Tatad, "People Power: An Eyewitness History, The Philippine Revolution of 1986"
The Philippines became a poorer country because Marcos, along with his wife and friends, established monopolies in different sectors, such as financial and agricultural.
Many people faced difficult situations during martial law. Jake Solon, who was a student trying to stay in school at the time, describes his feelings about martial law:
Many people faced difficult situations during martial law. Jake Solon, who was a student trying to stay in school at the time, describes his feelings about martial law:
"My first reaction to martial law [was fear]. I was/we were scared because for the first time everybody realized that your freedom and rights to free speech and expression were taken away. The military rule suddenly was the reality in the country. Men in uniform and in civilian clothes can arrest anyone, and the civil courts did not exist; writ of habeas corpus was suspended. Curfew was first set at 11 p.m. to 5 or 6 a.m. Nobody, not a car was on the street. TheMetrocom ruled Manila. I was very optimistic that Marcos would end Martial Law. He was trying to impress the people with his roads and bridges, cultural, agricultural achievement, miracle rice, the Green Revolution, buildings. But still a lot of Filipinos lost their lives or disappeared and were never heard of again because of their fight to bring back democracy. People inside Marcos'
circle became powerful and rich."
- Jake Solon
(gmanetwork.com)
Marcos lifted martial law in January 17, 1981 to get the approval from the Pope and the Catholic Church to rule. He won the next election after getting the endorsement from the Church.