Boon and Bane of Martial Law from a 1985 kid’s perspective
Having been born at the end of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law Regime, I have no personal experience with what the Filipino majority would say as the darkest era in the Philippine government’s history. It was at this time where the writ of habeas corpus was suspended which took away the citizen’s right to defend themselves in court. This event allowed the Marcos regime to rein the Philippines in two decades inflicting terror and fear in the hearts and minds of every Filipino.
Though I have no insight about the Martial Law era, its consequences have been bugging not only me but also the Filipino nation.
Some historians say that during Marcos’ term, the Philippines reached its highest in the field of Economy and the Arts. The Peso to Dollar rate was once 2:1 compared to today’s 50:1 which corresponds to a 2500% increase in the exchange rate. The Cultural Center of the Philippines was established to promote Arts in the country. However, these events were like one hit wonders as later in Marcos’ term, the Philippine economy gradually dropped and succumbed to the power of the US dollar. The Philippines had a chance of recovering from economic drought when the World Bank offered then Pres. Cory Aquino a chance of a lifetime but with pride on her way (and possibly a foresight of future glory with her own means) Pres. Aquino declined the offer. (As her daughter Kris would say is it a deal or no deal? Sadly, Cory answered no deal and the rest is history).
Though the Philippines is currently lagging behind the rest of Asia due to the economic misfortunes that arose from the Marcos regime, I must say that the Filipino people have also gained some respect from not only Asia but from the rest of the world as well because of an unarmed movement that forced the tyrant in Marcos to step down and flee. It was a first in many years that the Filipino people have risen and held their arms together to put an end to a dictator’s rule.
These I believe are the significant effects of Martial law in the Philippines. However, it does not mean that it will be good to have another Martial law era now especially that the economy is still trying to recover from several terms of mismanagement (not excluding the current term).
Having been born at the end of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law Regime, I have no personal experience with what the Filipino majority would say as the darkest era in the Philippine government’s history. It was at this time where the writ of habeas corpus was suspended which took away the citizen’s right to defend themselves in court. This event allowed the Marcos regime to rein the Philippines in two decades inflicting terror and fear in the hearts and minds of every Filipino.
Though I have no insight about the Martial Law era, its consequences have been bugging not only me but also the Filipino nation.
Some historians say that during Marcos’ term, the Philippines reached its highest in the field of Economy and the Arts. The Peso to Dollar rate was once 2:1 compared to today’s 50:1 which corresponds to a 2500% increase in the exchange rate. The Cultural Center of the Philippines was established to promote Arts in the country. However, these events were like one hit wonders as later in Marcos’ term, the Philippine economy gradually dropped and succumbed to the power of the US dollar. The Philippines had a chance of recovering from economic drought when the World Bank offered then Pres. Cory Aquino a chance of a lifetime but with pride on her way (and possibly a foresight of future glory with her own means) Pres. Aquino declined the offer. (As her daughter Kris would say is it a deal or no deal? Sadly, Cory answered no deal and the rest is history).
Though the Philippines is currently lagging behind the rest of Asia due to the economic misfortunes that arose from the Marcos regime, I must say that the Filipino people have also gained some respect from not only Asia but from the rest of the world as well because of an unarmed movement that forced the tyrant in Marcos to step down and flee. It was a first in many years that the Filipino people have risen and held their arms together to put an end to a dictator’s rule.
These I believe are the significant effects of Martial law in the Philippines. However, it does not mean that it will be good to have another Martial law era now especially that the economy is still trying to recover from several terms of mismanagement (not excluding the current term).
posted by feelingpunny @ 6:45 AM
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