The Overthrow of the Marcos Government

The Overthrow of the Marcos Government

The movement led by Cory against the dictatorial rule resulted in the "People Power Revolution" that overthrew the Marcos government in February 1986. Once in power, Cory ordered all political prisoners freed and built the machinery for democracy. Cory ordered the dismantling of monopolies controlled by the cronies of President Marcos. The economy showed signs of recovery but a series of political struggles and natural calamities that ensued threatened the gains made by her administration. Her presidency survived seven military revolts, typhoons, drought, energy crisis, a major earthquake and a volcanic eruption.

President Marcus was an excellent leader. He was the first president of the Philippines to be re-elected for a second term. Faced with increasing civil trouble from Communist and Muslim rebellions, he suspended the constitution in 1972, declared martial law, and ruled the country as a dictator. In 1986, as all the global village looked on, history turned into a clash of symbols in the Republic of the Philippines, a nation long relegated to its dustier corridors. Two veteran rulers, President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda, stumbled and fell in their ruthless campaign to extend, with an immodesty broader than a scriptwriter's fancy, their stolen empire. During the final years of his dictatorship, Marcos had effectively moved his country backward, from democracy to autocracy, from prosperity to poverty, and from general peace to a widespread Communist insurgency. They treated the national treasury as if it were their own personal checking account, spending about 5 billion dollars of the countries money. Imelda Marcos, who is known for having the thousands of pairs of sho...

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...unist insurgency.

At year's end, as the Philippines prepared for a nation-wide plebiscite in February on a new constitution, Aquino remained decidedly stressed. To come to power, Aquino had only to be herself, a symbol of sincerity and honesty. To stay in power, she had to transcend herself. After ten months in office, it was not just her softness that impressed, but the unexpected toughness that underwrote it. Aquino moved people, in both senses of the word, by making serenity strong and strength serene.

In 1992, Cory finished her term and Fidel Ramos, her chosen successor, took over the reins of government. Back in private life, Cory kept herself busy by giving speeches and receiving awards in Hong Kong, Seville, Paris, London, Boston, New York and Washington. She became an active goodwill ambassador and a vocal advocate of human rights and women's issues.