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Marcos Elected President
Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos were considered the "Love Couple", which had won them the vote. Because of their actions and acts of service towards the people, the society believed that they would provide a change in the country. Through this popularity, Ferdinand Marcos eventaully won the Presidential Election, which started his term as president. -
Marcos Takes Office
After winning the Presidential election in November, Ferdinand Marcos was inaugurated as the President of the Philippines. Previously in the position was the 9th President of the Philippines, Diosdado Macapagal. -
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Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Term
This is from when Ferdinand Marcos was first elected as President to when he was forced to flee the country. -
Marcos Sends Philippine Troops to Vietnam
A symptom that triggered the outbreak of University students was when Ferdinand Marcos sent Philippine troops to Vietnam. Since Marcos was working with the US to fight communism, he lent Philippine troops to Vietnam in order to strengthen their alliance. University students were angered because the Philippines had no direct relation with the conflict between Russia and the US in Vietnam. University students also thought that Marcos was a "puppet" to the US. -
Ninoy Aquino Elected as Senator
At the age of 34, Ninoy Aquino became the youngest senator in the Philippines. Born into a politically driven family, he was also the youngest mayor and vice governer at 27. By the age of 29, he was the governer of Tarlac and later on became the secretary general of the Liberal Party. -
Marcos is Re-Elected as President for Second Term
After a successful first term as President, Ferdinand Marcos decides to run again for his second term. He won the election and was inaugurated for his second term on December 30, 1969. -
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First Quarter Storm
This period of time was the peak to University students and youth protests. Events like the Battle of Mendiola happened during this time period. -
Battle of Mendiola
University students and the youth marched on Mendiola street towards Malacanang Palace. These students were angry and held a violent protest. Students took control over a firetruck and attempted to break the gates of Malacanang Palace. Eventually, police arrived to shoot protestors, resulting in the death of 4 students. This ignited the formation of more activist groups against Marcos. -
First Constitutional Convention
President Ferdinand Marcos held the first Constitutional Convention in an attempt to change the Philippine Constitution. He proposed to switch the government system to a parliamentary system, which would mean that there would be no term limitation. Although he tried to bribe attendees, he failed to change the system. -
Bombing in Plaza Miranda
Senators and others attend a political rally at Plaza Miranda. This rally was going against Marcos and later resulted in a bombing. Senator Ninoy Aquino, a prime opposer of the Marcos government, was fortunate to have not arrived before the bombing had taken place. Many senator candidates were among the wounded after the bombing, which led to the majority vote in the Senate. -
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Philippines Under Martial Law
Martial Law was effective before Ferdinand Marcos announced it on September 23, 1972. Marcos terminated the use of martial law due to the visit by Pope John Paul II. -
Declaration of Martial Law
Ferdinand Marcos decides to declare martial law over the country. Although Marcos announced the declaration of martial law on the 23rd of September, it had been in use since the 21st of September. This date is significant because the Marcos' are normally in favor of the number 7, however, the 23rd of September is not divisible by 7. Media, such as the newspaper, radio, and TV stations were immediately shut down and anyone in opposition would be handled with otherwise. -
Arrest of Ninoy Aquino and Jose Diokno
After the declaration of martial law, Senators Ninoy Aquino and Jose Diokno, leaders of the opposition, were arrested and held at a camp. Senators Ninoy Aquino and Jose Diokno were joined by other journalists, politicians, and activists. This was significant because they were the prime leaders in the opposition party against Marcos. -
Imelda Assassination Attempt
As Imelda Marcos was closing her speech at an awarding ceremony, a man armed with a bolo attacked Imelda Marcos, attempting to kill her. During the spur of the moment, it wasn't clear what was going on and Imelda didn't know who the attacker was trying to hurt. Once Imelda realized, she luckily was able to protect herself and was only left with a few cuts on her arms. -
Marcos Constitution Ratified (approved)
Ferdinand Marcos holds another Constitutional Convention to try the presidential system to a parliamentary system again. Since all opposition has been silenced or arrested, Marcos believes he has a chance to get the parliamentary system approved. The parliamentary system is later approved due to a change in the voting procedure. Instead of voting with a yes or no, voters needed to raise their hand. Voters were tricked into raising their hand by asking questions that would make them vote in favor -
Ninoy Aquino Sentencing
In 1977, after 5 years in prison and a 40-day hunger strike, Ninoy Aquino was sentenced to death by musketry. The sentence did not follow through. This was because the Marcos government was under critical observation internationally due to the high record of human rights violations. -
Founding of LABAN
LABAN was the official opposition party in the Philippines that went against Marcos. Although Ninoy Aquino was still in jail, he was the leader of this party. The opposition party ran in the election against Marcos, even after many assumed that it would result in fraud. -
Noise Barrage
The night before the election, protesters went out to the streets with pots and pans and made loud sounds to show their support for LABAN. Streets were filled with protesters and cars that were honking and banging their pots in order to spread awareness about their vote. -
Aquino Heart Attack and is Sent to the US
While in prison, Ninoy Aquino suffered a heart attack. This made Ferdinand Marcos think about Aquino stance, which eventually led him to send Ninoy Aquino to the US for treatment. -
Ronald Reagan Elected as President of the US
Ronald Reagan was elected as the 40th President of the United States of America. His presidency was significant to the Marcos government, as he was the one who made Marcos step down from power. Reagan realized that instead of stopping communism in the Philippines, Marcos was creating more communism. Eventually, Marcos stepped down due to the People Power Revolution and Reagan still offered to escort Marcos to the US, where he lived in exile. -
Marcos Elections are Boycotted by Opposition
In May of 1981, Ferdinand Marcos decides to hold another "fake presidential election" to extend his term. The 2 other candidates play an insignificant role during this election, and as a result, Marcos wins another term, lasting 6 years. -
Aquino Assassination
After Ninoy Aquino takes his heart bypass surgery, he decides to spend time outside of the country before coming back to the Philippines. Ninoy stays in Boston, Malaysia, and other countries before returning to the Philippines. While he was in the US, he spoke about his dying wishes for the Philippines and wrote a letter, in hopes that the Filipino people would come together to overthrow Marcos. Upon his arrival at the airport, he was shot by an unknown shooter, and died. -
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Confetti Revolution
Ninoy Aquino's assassination was the symbol of heroism for the citizens of the Philippines. His death opened the eyes of many, including business owners, and others who were in the higher class. Within the first year, the Confetti Revolution united citizens regularly and showed the true meaning of People Power. -
Marcos Calls for Snap Elections
On an American talk show, Ferdinand Marcos was questioned of his popularity among the Filipino people. To prove his popularity, he called for a snap election to take place. The 2 dominant parties were LABAN, led by Cory Aquino, and KBL, led by Ferdinand Marcos. As citizens were voting, some did not find their name on the registration sheet. This sparked controversy and led to the success of Marcos. As the results were being counted, computer operators and members of the National Assembly left. -
Marcos Wins Snap Elections
On February 7th of 1986, Marcos won the election with his running mate, Arturo Tolentino. Although Marcos proved his "legitimacy" and "popularity", many of the Filipino citizens felt that this was a fraudulent election. Eventually, the Filipino citizens and members of Marcos' joined the opposition which would later be called the People Power Revolution. -
Defection of Fidel Ramos and Juan Enrile
Fidel Ramos, in charge of the police force, and Juan Ponce Enrile, in charge of the military, defected Marcos' government. This marked a significant moment in Philippine history as it was the beginning of the EDSA uprising. Once they announced their defection, Cardinal Sin, encourage Filipino citizens to join the protests and protect Ramos and Enrile at their camp in Camp Crame. -
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EDSA Uprising
Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile pulled out of Marcos' government. They were both barricaded at Camp Crame. Cardinal Sin then announced on Radio Veritas, that all in support should come out to the streets and protest. As military troops were trying to get to Ramos and Enrile, they were blocked off and retreated. The protest lasted until Marcos and his family eventually fled to the US. The protest lasted 4 days. -
Corazon (Cory) Aquino Sworn In as President
Corazon Aquino, the widow of Senator Ninoy Aquino, was sworn in as President of the Philippines immediately after Marcos was forced to flee. Cory Aquino was head of the LABAN party, the main opposition of the Marcos (KBL) party during the snap elections. -
Marcos and Family Flees to America
After the EDSA Uprising, Ferdinand Marcos and his family are forced to leave the country. With the assistance of the United States, the Marcos family is able to flee to Guam. The family eventually fled to Hawaii, living in exile. -
Ferdinand Marcos Dies in Hawaii
During his presidency, Ferdinand Marcos had already been suffering from the disease lupus. After fleeing to America, Marcos' condition did not get any better. Marcos later died in 1989. His body was kept at a museum in Ilocos Norte, where he was originally from. In November of 2016, his body was moved to the Heroes Cemetary in Taguig, despite the amount of controversy behind the history of former dictator.
