Enabling Environments for Civic Movements and the Dynamics of Democratic Transition - Philippines
- Document source:
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Date:
10 July 2008
Period of democratic transition: 1985–1986
Pro-democracy civic movement: present
Longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos became president in 1965 and ruled under martial law between 1972 and 1981. Under a constitution written during emergency rule, Marcos was empowered to rule by decree. Heavily manipulated parliamentary elections held in 1978 gave 151 of 161 seats to Marcos's Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement), ensuring Parliament would function only as an extension of Marcos's authority.
Although the end of martial law led to some modest liberalization in 1981, the 1983 assassination of Bengino Aquino, a leading opposition figure, gave momentum to a growing opposition movement. In November 1985, plagued by mounting popular discontent and pressure from the United States, Marcos agreed to hold presidential elections. An election took place in February 1986, and by official count, Marcos defeated the opposition United Nationalists Democratic Organizations. However, the vote was marred by widespread irregularities as Marcos's supporters manipulated the count, stole ballot boxes, and even shot opposition supporters. The crisis provoked "People Power" protests in late February, in which Corazon Aquino, the widow of Bengino Aquino and an opposition candidate in the February elections, led hundreds of thousands of people in street protests in Manila. The movement included students, members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, workers, and a faction of the armed forces. The demonstrators attracted broad-based support across the country. Following the protests, Marcos fled the country and Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency.
Over the next five years, the Aquino administration was plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement and survived seven coup attempts. In 1992, however, the Philippines experienced its first peaceful transition of power when Fidel Ramos won elections in June.
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