The Fall of Marcos: 1986

Elections, and on the road to

EDSA Melissa Nichols

March 9, 2011

Assassination of Aquino

Created serious unrest

1986 Snap Election

Why was it called?

Economy

US pressure

Marcos’ health

Catholic Church

Economy Capital began to leave the country at the rate of US$12

million a day.

Land prices fell, stock market fell and corporate profits tumbled.

National debt- $24.6 billion USD.

The country was bankrupt.

The Peso suffered a 21% devaluation.

Inflation rate 50% spike 1984

Economy contracted by 6.8% 1984, 3.8% in 1985.

United States Pressure Military bases

Cold War

No Successor

Communism growing

Crony monopolies

Nat’l Security Study Directive

Marcos…what was he

thinking? Striving for Perceived legitimacy

Health- lupus erythematosus

Dynastic ambition

Repeat of the 1981 election in which he had taken 86%

of the vote

Election relieved some pressure

Election Candidates

Campaign

Election day

Results

Candidates

Aquino/ Laurel Corazon Aquino declared her candidacy for President after 1

million people signed a petition urging her to run

Senator Salvador Laurel for Vice-President who led the United National Democratic Organization (UNIDO);

Aquino and Laurel families had been rivals in Philippine politics,

Cardinal Sin had advised Laurel to sacrifice his presidential ambitions

Cory Aquino, was portrayed as a simple housewife, had become the unifying moral symbol of opposition to Marcos

CampaignThe campaign period was from December 11, 1985 to February5,

1986. (57 days).

Marcos invested $500 million vs. Aquino $ 6million.

Marcos

o Guns, Goons, Gold.

Aquino

o Honesty, simplicity and religious faith. Model after Magsaysay.

“A woman’s place is in the bedroom” vs. “I concede that I cannot match Mr. Marcos when it comes to experience. I admit that I have no experience in cheating, stealing…”

Election Day

Feb 7-Election Day-COMELEC/NAMFREL

Feb 8- Catholic Church declares elections are fraud

Feb 9-Computer workers walkout

Election Results

On the road to EDSA Feb15- Nat’l Assembly declare Marcos the winner

Feb 16- Aquino refuses results/ declares a boycott

Feb 19- US condemns the election

RAM

EDSA

Feb 22- Ramos & Enrile at Camp Aquinaldo

Feb 23 Tanks ordered

Feb 24 Airborne attack ordered

Feb 25 simultaneous inaugurations

EDSA

Feb 22- Ramos & Enrile at Camp Aquinaldo

Feb 23 Tanks ordered

Feb 24 Airborne attack ordered

Feb 25 simultaneous inaugurations

Marcos Flees

People Power Revolution