THE PERIOD OF THE

FOURTH REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

INTRODUCTION:

The Fourth Philippine Republic, also known as the Fourth Republic of the Philippines was
established after Ferdinand Marcos Sr won the June 16, 1981, Philippine Presidential Election.
Marcos announced the beginning of the Fourth Republic on June 30, during his inauguration
speech. On February 25, 1986, due to the 1986 EDSA Revolution, Marcos ended into exile in
Hawaii and Corazon Aquino became the 11th president of the Philippines. The Fourth Republic
would come to an end under Aquino's leadership, and the Fifth Republic would commence with
the adoption of a new constitution.

BIOGRAPHY: Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28,
1989)

Ferdinand E. Marcos, born on September 11, 1917, in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, was a
teacher and lawyer. He attended various schools and graduated from the University of
the Philippines. Marcos was commissioned as a third lieutenant in the Philippine
Constabulary Reserve. In 1935, he was arrested for conspiracy to murder and found
guilty in 1939. He later received his bachelor's degree in law from the U.P. College of
Law. Marcos served as an officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines during World
War II. Marcos led a controversial political career, serving as Senate President and
serving as a member of the House of Representatives. He introduced numerous
significant bills, many of which were later included in the Republic statute books.
Marcos's political career was marked by his significant contributions to the country's
history.

The Administration of Ferdinand E. Marcos

n FIRST TERM

Ø Ferdinand Marcos became the 10th President of the Philippines in 1965, leading
to increased industrialization and infrastructure development. He appointed a
cabinet of technocrats and intellectuals, increased funding for the Armed
Forces, and established more schools and learning institutions.

Ø Marcos' first State of the Nation Address (SONA) outlined plans for economic
development and good government, including immediate construction of roads,
bridges, and public works.

Ø He urged the revitalization of the judiciary, national defense posture, and fighting
against corruption. Marcos mobilized the Armed Forces for infrastructure
construction and economic planning.

Ø He liberalized trade with the free world, hastening industrialization, and improved
agricultural production to make the Philippines self-sufficient in food, particularly
rice.

ØMarcos also strengthened foreign relations by hosting a summit conference on the

South Vietnam crisis in 1996.

n SECOND TERM

Ø In 1969, Marcos won a second term, creating a personality cult and mandating
public institutions to carry his image. His second term was marked by economic
turmoil, student demands, rising crime rates, and a growing communist
insurgency.

n OCTOBER 30, 1970

 Ø The First Quarter Storm, a massive protest in Mendiola, led to intense student
protests and violence in Metro Manila, particularly near the University Belt.
Student activists took over Diliman campus, declaring it a free commune, and
dissolved it. Violent protesting continued over the next few years until the
declaration of martial law in 1972.

n PLAZA MIRANDA BOMBING

Ø On August 21, 1971, the Liberal Party held a campaign rally at Plaza Miranda,
where two grenades injured everyone. Marcos lifted the writ of habeas corpus to
arrest those involved. They tried to shift blame from their party to Sen. Aquino,
insinuating he may have had a hand in the bombings. The writ was briefly
restored on January 11, 1972, amid widespread protests.

Martial law and the New Society

n PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW

Ø In 1972, President Marcos declared a state of anarchy and lawlessness in the

Philippines due to bombings and subversive activities. He declared that public
order and safety demanded immediate action to protect the nation and maintain
government authority.

Ø On September 21, 1972, he issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1081, placing

the country under martial law. Marcos assured the public that martial law was
not a military takeover and that civilian government continued to function. His
initial measures included arresting people, governing by decree, controlling
media, observing a curfew, banning fire-arms, and banning strikes and
demonstrations. He also issued general orders and letters of instruction to
enforce these measures.

The 1973 Constitution

 Ø In 1972, President Marcos declared a state of anarchy and lawlessness in the
Philippines due to bombings and subversive activities. He issued Presidential
Proclamation No. 1081, placing the country under martial law, but only two days
later. Marcos stated that martial law had two objectives: saving the republic and
reforming social, economic, and political institutions.

Ø The 1973 Constitution was approved by the Philippine Congress on March 16,
1967, and the Constitutional Convention began on June 1, 1971. The
Convention approved its Proposed Constitution of the Philippines on November
29, 1972. However, martial law was proclaimed before the convention could
finish its work. Several delegates were placed under detention and others went
into hiding or voluntary exile.

Ø On January 15, 1973, the Citizen Assemblies voted for ratification of the 1973
Constitution, suspension of the convening of the Interim National Assembly,
continuation of martial law, and moratorium on elections for at least seven
years.

Ø On January 17, 1973, the proposed Constitution was ratified by an overwhelming

vote of the members of the Citizen Assemblies, organized by Marcos himself
through Presidential Decree No. 86. Various legal petitions were filed with the
Supreme Court assailing the validity of the ratification of the 1973 Constitution.

Ø A divided Supreme Court ruled in Javellana vs. Executive Secretary (6 SCRA

1048) that "there is no further obstacle to the new Constitution being considered
in force and effect."

Ø The 1973 Constitution would have established a parliamentary government, with

the President as a ceremonial head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of
government. However, this was not implemented due to the referendum-
plebiscite held on January 10-15, 1972, where an overwhelming majority
rejected the convening of a National Assembly. From 1972 until the convening
of the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978, the President exercised absolute
legislative power.

1976 Amendments to the Constitution

On October 16-17, 1976, the majority of barangay voters approved martial law
continuation and ratified amendments to the Constitution proposed by President
 Marcos. The amendments included an Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP)
replacing the Interim National Assembly, the President becoming Prime
Minister, and continuing legislative powers until martial law was lifted. The Sixth
Amendment allowed the President to legislate in cases of grave emergencies or
failures of the Interim Batasang Pambansa or regular National Assembly.

The Batasang Bayan

Ø The Interim Batasang Pambansa was not immediately convened. Instead, President
Marcos created the Batasang Bayan through Presidential Decree No. 995 on September
21, 1976. The Batasang Bayan is a 128-member legislature that advised the President on
important legislature measures it served as the transitory legislature until convening of
the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978. The Batasang Bayan was one of two temporary
legislative bodies before the convening of the Regular Batasang Pambansa in 1984.

First national election under martial law

Ø On April 7, 1978, the first national election under martial law was held, with the
administration coalition party, the "Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ng Nagkakaisang
Nacionalista, Liberal, at iba pa" (KBL), winning 165 members of the Interim
Batasang Pambansa. First Lady Imelda Marcos won the highest number of
votes in Metro Manila, while only 15 opposition candidates won in other parts of
the country. Opposition denounced votebuying and cheating, and the Liberal
Party boycotted the elections.

Ø On April 21, 1978, the election of 14 sectoral representatives (agricultural, labor, and
youth) was held.

Ø On June 12, 1978 the Interim Batasang Pambansa was convened with Ferdinand E.
Marcos as President-Prime Minister and Querube Makalintal as Speaker.

1980 and 1981 amendments to the Constitution

 Ø The 1973 Constitution underwent amendments in 1980 and 1981, extending the
retirement age of Judiciary members to 70 years. The 1981 amendments
modified the parliamentary system, restoring executive power to the President,
restoring direct election, creating an Executive Committee, and making the
Prime Minister the head of the Cabinet. Additionally, electoral reforms were
introduced, allowing natural-born citizens who lost citizenship to transfer private
land for residence.

Lifting of martial law

Ø President Marcos lifted martial law on January 17, 1981, after implementing
constitutional amendments and legislation. However, the writ of habeas corpus
continued in Western Mindanao and Central Mindanao. Opposition viewed this
as a "face lifting" for Pope John Paul II's visit.

1981 Presidential Election and the Fourth Republic

Ø In 1981, the first presidential election in twelve years was held in the Philippines,
with President Marcos winning a massive victory over Nacionalista candidate
Alejo Santos and Federal Party candidate Bartolome Cabangbang. The
opposition parties, Unido and Laban, boycotted the elections.

Ø Marcos won an overwhelming 88% of the votes, the highest in Philippine electoral
history. He was inaugurated on June 30, 1981, and proclaimed the "birth of a
new Republic." However, the new Republic lasted less than five years due to
economic and political crises.

The Aquino assassination

Ø After seven years of detention, former Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. left the
Philippines for a coronary bypass operation in the United States. Aquino agreed
to not criticize the Marcos regime, but broke his promise and called for
reconciliation between the government and opposition. After three years of exile
in the United States, Aquino returned to the Philippines and was shot dead in
 1983. President Marcos created a fact-finding commission to investigate the
assassination, but it lasted only two sittings due to public criticism. In October
1983, he issued Presidential Decree No. 1886 creating an independent board of
inquiry.

Ø The Agrava Fact-Finding Board conducted public hearings and invited witnesses
to shed light on the crimes. After a year of thorough investigation, the board
submitted two reports to President Marcos: the Majority and Minority Reports.
The Minority Report confirmed the assassination was a military conspiracy but
cleared Gen. Ver. The majority of the board submitted a separate report, the
Majority Report, indicting several members of the Armed Forces.

Ø After a brief trial, the Sandiganbayan acquitted all the accused on December 2,
1985, and Marcos re-instated Gen. Fidel V. Ramos as acting AFP Chief. The
Sandiganbayan ruling and the re-instatement of Ver were denounced by several
sectors as a "mockery" of justice.

The failed impeachment attempt

Ø After seven years of detention, President Marcos allowed former Senator Benigno S.
Aquino, Jr. to leave the Philippines for a coronary bypass operation in the United States.
Aquino agreed to the President's request that he would not make any statements
criticizing the Marcos regime. However, Aquino broke his promise and called on
President Marcos to return the Philippines to democracy and end martial rule.

Ø After three years of exile in the United States, Aquino returned to the Philippines and was
shot dead at the Manila International Airport while in the custody of the Aviation
Security Command (AVSECOM). The assassination stunned the nation and the world.
President Marcos created a fact-finding commission to investigate the assassination but
only lasted two sittings due to intense public criticism.

Ø The Agrava Fact-Finding Board convened on November 3, 1983, but before it could start
its work, President Marcos charged the communists for the killing of Senator Aquino.
The board conducted public hearings and invited several persons who might shed light
on the crimes, including AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver and First Lady Imelda R.
 Marcos. After a year of thorough investigation, the Agrava Board submitted two reports
to President Marcos – the Majority and Minority Reports.

Ø The Majority Report confirmed that the Aquino assassination was a military conspiracy
but cleared Gen. Ver. The majority of the board submitted a separate report – the
Majority Report – indicting several members of the Armed Forces including AFP Chief-
of-Staff Gen. Fabian Ver, Gen. Luther Custodio, and Gen. Prospero Olivas, head of
AVSECOM.

Ø After a brief trial, the Sandiganbayan acquitted all the accused on December 2, 1985, and
Marcos re-instated Ver. The Sandiganbayan ruling and the re-instatement of Ver were
denounced by several sectors as a "mockery" of justice.

Ø On August 13, 1985, fifty-six Assemblymen signed a resolution calling for the
impeachment of President Marcos for graft and corruption, culpable violation of the
Constitution, gross violation of his oath of office, and other high crimes. The Committee
on Justice, Human Rights and Good Government dismissed the impeachment complain
for being insufficient in form and substance.

Ø The martial law in the Philippines was initially well-received due to social turmoil, but
the world was surprised by the acceptance of Marcos' dictatorship. Crime rates dropped
after dusk curfews, and the country experienced economic prosperity in the 1970s.
However, growing dissent led to political opponents being forced into exile, and
Marcos' repressive measures turned opinion against him.

Economy

Ø During the Marcos era, the Philippines experienced a slow economic growth, with
an average GDP per capita of only 1.4% from 1966 to 1986. The government
borrowed money to finance development projects, such as infrastructure, and
offered incentives to foreign capital to invest in industrial projects. The Kilusang
Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran program, initiated in 1981, aimed to promote livelihood
 projects and increase the nation's economic growth rate from 6% to 7% from
1970 to 1980. However, economic growth was largely financed by U.S.
economic aid and loans made by the Marcos government. The country's foreign
debts were less than $1 billion when Marcos assumed the presidency in 1965
and more than $28 billion when he left office in 1986.

Ø Remittances of overseas Filipino workers also contributed to economic growth.

The Philippine economy suffered a significant decline after the Aquino
assassination in 1983, with anti-Marcos demonstrations and political troubles
hindering foreign investment and loans. Marcos negotiated with foreign creditors
to launch a national economic recovery program, but the economy continued to
decline despite recovery efforts. This failure was caused by civil unrest, graft,
corruption, and Marcos' lack of credibility. The unemployment rate increased
from 6.30% in 1972 to 12.55% in 1985.

Downfall

Ø Marcos' regime was marked by corruption and political mismanagement,

culminating in the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. Critics viewed him as a
kleptocrat, looting billions of dollars from the Filipino treasury. Fidel Ramos was
reportedly responsible for diverting the money. Marcos was also a notorious
nepotist, appointing family members to high positions in his cabinet. This led to
widespread mishandling of government, particularly during the 1980s when he
was ill with lupus. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, a multi-billion dollar project,
was a white elephant, providing significant kickbacks to Marcos and his
businessman-friend, Herminio Disini. The Philippine government still pays
interest on over $28 billion public debts incurred during his administration.

Ø During his third term, Marcos' health deteriorated due to kidney ailments, leading
to political unrest and doubts about his ability to govern. His wife, Imelda,
became the government's main public figure. The 1983 assassination of Aquino,
a political tactic, was the catalyst for Marcos' overthrow. The opposition blamed
Marcos for the murder, while others blamed the military and Imelda. The 1985
acquittals of Gen. Fabian Ver and other military officers for the crime were seen
as a miscarriage of justice.
 Ø In 1984, Ronald Reagan distanced himself from the Marcos regime, which he and
previous American presidents supported even after martial law. The US
provided significant aid, but relations soured during the Carter administration
when Carter targeted the Philippines in his human rights campaign.

Ø Marcos called a snap presidential election in 1986 amid public discontent and
foreign pressure, with Tolentino as his running mate, while opposition united
behind Aquino's widow and Laurel.

Ø The National Movement for Free Elections reported Aquino winning by 800,000
votes, while Marcos won by 1.6 million. This led to accusations of vote-rigging
and condemnation by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and
the United States Senate. Aquino's popularity in Metro Manila sided with him,
leading to protests and the military's defection to Aquino. Marcos was driven
into exile and installed Corazon Aquino as president. Enrile claimed his ambush
was faked for martial law, but Marcos claimed he was elected for a fourth term.

EDSA I and The Restoration of Philippine Democracy

Ø The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution,
was a series of non-violent mass demonstrations that overthrew the Marcos
dictatorship and installed Corazon Aquino as president. The revolution, which
took place from February 22 to 25, was considered the precursor to nonviolent
demonstrations worldwide, including those in Eastern Europe. The EDSA
People Power's Revolution, also known as the Yellow Revolution, was a
significant national event in the Philippines, demonstrating the true power of
democracy. The peaceful demonstration, held on the 54-kilometer Epifanio de
los Santos Avenue, was a testament to the unity and courage of Filipinos, who
united to overthrow the oppressive Marcos regime. The EDSA People Power's
Revolution is a testament to the power of the people in restoring democracy in
the Philippines.
The Administration of Corazon Aquino

Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009)

Ø Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and
the first woman to hold that office. She was the first democratically-elected president
since Diosdado Macapagal left office in 1965 and the first female president in Asia.
Aquino was a prominent figure during the 1986 People Power Revolution, which
toppled the 21-year authoritarian rule of President Ferdinand E. Marcos and restored
democracy to the Philippines. She was named Time magazine's "Woman of the Year" in
1986.

Aquino's peaceful ascension to power signaled the end of authoritarian rule in the
Philippines and the dawning of a new era for Filipinos. She issued Proclamation № 3,
established a revolutionary government, abolished the 1973 Constitution during Martial
Law, and issued the provisional 1986 Freedom Constitution. This allowed her to
exercise both executive and legislative powers until the ratification of the 1987
Constitution and the restoration of Congress in 1987.

Aquino promulgated two landmark legal codes: the Family Code of 1987 and the
Administrative Code of 1987. The 1991 Local Government Code devolved national
government powers to local government units (LGUs), enhancing their power to enact
local taxation measures and ensuring a share in the national revenue. Aquino closed
down the Marcos-dominated Batasang Pambansa to prevent the new Marcos loyalist
opposition from undermining her democratic reforms and reorganized the membership
of the Supreme Court to restore its independence.

Aquino's land reform agenda was criticized due to her family background and social class as
a privileged daughter of a wealthy and landed clan. During her last two years in office,
she faced natural disasters and calamities, such as the 1990 Luzon earthquake and the
1991 Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption.
REFERENCE:

https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/senators/senpres/marcos.asp

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ferdinand_Marcos