Our Country as an American Colony

 The Philippines was once a part of the united states. This happened when we were an American
colony between 1898 and 1946 minus the years of the Filipino-American war (1891901) and the second
world war 919445). The American promised to leave as soon as the Filipino showed they could run their
own government.
 Philippine territory in American times changed during the American era. Compered to the
territory under the Spanish era. The us island archipelagos of the Marianas, Carolines, and Palaus in the
south pacific no linger belonged to the Philippines.
 *Mindanao and Sulu became part of the Philippines. To bring the muslim Filipinos (moros) of the
Sulu archipelago into American power, general john c. bates made an agreement with the sultan of
Sulu on august 20,1899.
 *interior mountain regions of Luzon and Visayas were now included in the Philippines territory.
The gold mines of cordilleras were developed and the Igorots joined the armed forces of the
Philippines.
 American Colonial Policy-American colonial policy in the Philippines was unique in the world of
colonialism.
 1.The American said they would go as soon as the Filipinos could stand on their own as free nation.
 2.The Americans were kinder and more generous the other colonial power of the same era.
 3.The Filipinos adopted Americans ways very well.
American Colonial Government The United States was really too far away to rule the Philippines
directly.

Military Government (August 14, 189 July 4,1901). This Government was run buy military generals
appointed by the American president. Lasted for three years during the Filipino-American war.

*Civil Government (July 4,1901-August 1902). This government was run by American civilian officials
appointed by the American president. Several kinds of civilian government are.

1.The Philippine Commission

2.The American Governor-General together with the Philippine Assembly or the Philippine Legislature;
3.The Commonwealth of the Philippines.

The Philippine Commissions The Philippines commissions were composed of special American
advisers to U.S president.

*The first Philippine commission came to the Philippines in (1899) led by Dr. Jacob C. Schurman Cornell
University president.
*The second Philippine commission came on (1990-1916) led by Judge William Howard Taft.

American Governor-General On July 4,1901 the civil government was inaugurated in the
Philippines. Willam H. Taft became the first American Governor-General.
Filipino Participation in Government The American shared power with the Filipinos unlike the
Spanish imperialists. American appointed Filipino to important positions in government. To train our people in
democracy rule.

*In 1903, Cayetano Arellano was appointed Chief Secretary. He was appointed secretary of Finance and
justice.
*In the civil service, or lower position in government more and more Filipinos were given permanent jobs. By
1921.96% of civil service jobs were done by Filipinos.

Philippine Bills of 1902 The American congress had pass laws for the Philippines at the time.
Congressman Henry A. Cooper stood up and recited the immortal last peon of Dr. Jose Rizal. This noble
poem proved to them that the Filipinos had a beautiful culture.
July 1, 1902 the Philippine bill of 1902 was passed by congress. It created the Philippine assembly.

The Philippine Assembly On July 30, 1907 the first national elections were held in the Philippines.

The Philippine Legislature the national election were held for members of the Philippine legislature.
Manuel L. Quezon of Tayabas was elected president of the senate. Sergio Osmenia again became speaker
of the House.
Filipino Loyalty During World War 1 the Filipinos appreciated the American policy in the
Philippines . When the united states entered the first World War in Europe (1941-1918), the Filipinos became
heir allies. About 25,000 Filipinos joined the U.S. Army and 6,000 Filipinos joined the U.S. Navy.

Filipino Loyalty During World War 1 the Filipinos appreciated the American policy in the
Philippines . When the united states entered the first World War in Europe (1941-1918), the Filipinos became
heir allies. About 25,000 Filipinos joined the U.S. Army and 6,000 Filipinos joined the U.S. Navy.

Private Tomas Claudio the first Filipino who died under the American flag in world war 1. He died in
the battle of chateau Thierry, France, on June 29,1918.

History Values our colonial government under the united states teaches us the following.
1.The Filipinos cooperated with the Americans we were treated well as compared to other colonial people.
2.During the American regime, the interior mountain regions were developed.
3.The Filipinos were a models for other colonial peoples because shared power with the American.
4.The Americans and the Filipinos began to work together as allies in space and in war.
 Economic Progress under America
The Filipinos enjoyed a better life under American than as a colony of Spain. The American Yankees
taught us to work harder and be more practical than the lazy and proud Spaniards.
During the American era, the Filipinos earned more money, worked in better jobs, and lived in better houses.

American Economic policy In the beginning, American economic policy as unselfish. The
Philippine Bill of 1902 declared that all public lands and natural resources of the Philippines were for “the
benefit of the inhabitants”. William H. Taft, the first American Governor General, said that the Philippines was
for the Filipinos.

New Prosperity However, under the practical leadership of America. The Filipinos enjoyed a better life.
The new prosperity of the Philippines as a colony of America as shown in the following ways;

1.Population explosion, 6.New industries

2.New land policy, 7.Improvent in transformation and communications,
3.Agricultural increase, 8.Better government budget,
4.Free trade with America, 9. New banks,
5.Business boom, 10. Participation in international exhibitions.
New Land Policy The Americans improved land policy in the Philippines in three ways.
Firstly, friar lands were resold to Filipino farmers. Secondly, the homestead Act in 1924 allowed any Filipino to
own up 24 hectares of public land. Thirdly, all lands had to be registered, and their owners got Torres titles.

Agricultural Increase When the American came, there as very little food. The Filipino farmers ere fighting
in the revolution, and the farms were neglected. Hunger, sickness and death came after the war. When
peace came, the Filipinos and the Americans cooperated to revive agricultural. In 1903 the American
Congress sent a $3 million emergency fund to import rice and carabaos from other Asian countries. Modern
farm tools were introduced. The Filipinos how to produce more crops, fight farm pests, and market their
product.

Free Trade with American This was the most important economic change in the American era. A
country has to trade (buy and sell) with other countries abroad in order to develop. We were introduced to
big American market. Philippines products (copra, sugar, cigars, hemp, etc.)

Business Boom Retail trade inside the Philippines also doubled from 1907 to 1935.Filipinos had more
money to buy foods, shoes, and even cars. However , the Filipinos liked to buy more imported goods.

New Industries During the American era, The Philippines entered the industrial Age. The Industrial Age
favored the use of machines and the mas production of goods in big factories.
Improvement in Transportation and Communications The Philippines became an Asian
leader in transportation and communication. The Filipinos enjoyed the automobile, electric street car,
(tranvia) airplane, telephone, wireless telegraph, radio, and movies. Airplanes were used for domestic and
foreign travel. The telephone and telegraph system in our country was the best in Asia. We also had the best
news paper, radio stations. And postal service in Asia.

Better Budget The Philippine budget was balanced even during the Great World Depression in the 1930s.

New Banks In 1906 the postal Savings Banks was introduced. People could deposit and withdraw money
in savings accounts at post offices. The Philippine National Bank, the country's largest bank today, was
established on 1906.

International Exhibitions and Meetings The Philippines as projected to worlds limelight because
of its participation in international exhibitions, conference, and meetings. Hanoi, St. Louis, Panama, San
Francisco, and Ne York, the Philippine Army Band became world-famous at the Golden Gate Exposition,
held at San Francisco, California, in 1939.

Economic Problems Our economic progress under America also had its problems. Because the
Philippines as still a colony, we were not really free to make our own policies. The economic problem which
started during the American era were:
1.We sold our raw materials cheap and bought expensive manufactured goods from America.
2.Colonial mentality became worse. Filipinos preferred imported good s to those made in the Philippines.
3.Labor and peasant unrest spread in the 1920’s and 130’s. The world depression hit the poor masses worst of
all. Many of them lost their jobs or accepted less salary.
4.American capitalists and businessmen controlled the new companies. Some of these American
businessmen came to the Philippines as soldier or government officials.

Historical Values The Philippines during the American colonial era we learn the following lesson from
the past.

1.Our country’s natural resources and wealth as developed by the United States.
2.The Americans benefited the most from our economic development because we were not yet
independent.
3.There was tremendous progress then in population, agriculture, trade, business, ne industries, transportation
and communication, government budget, banks, and international prestige.
4.The new opportunity in our country made our people ant independence even more.
 Our American Heritage
Philippine life changed tremendously as an American colony. Before the Filipinos had priests, churches,
passions, chorizos, carromatas, and pabitins. Now we had teachers, School, and Bibles. Our life today is still
influenced a lot by our American heritage.

The Bible and Religions Freedom The greatest legacy of America as to bring the bible and
religions freedom to the Philippines. During the Spanish era, only the Catholic religion as allowed in the
colony. But under the Americans, the Filipinos became free to choose their own religion, and especially to
have and to read the bible.

Christian Churches allowed; Methodist Baptists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, etc.

Isabelo Delos Reyes and Gregorio Aglipay started their own Christian denomination- The Philippine
Independent Church ( or Aglipayanism).

Even non-Christian were allowed to freely choose their own religion, without being arrested or persecuted by
the government .The Muslims and mountain tribes were no longer treated as enemies of the government, but
as friends and true Filipinos. The Bible could now be read freely by anybody. American evangelists,
missionaries and pastors came to share God’s World and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus with the Filipinos.
Many Filipinos and their families were converted to evangelical Christian beliefs.
Training in Democracy the democracy means government of the people. The American did not
really give us democracy. However, the American allowed us to practice democracy as a colony under
their protection.

Free Education The education was no longer the privilege of just a few rich families. But during the
American era, All children could study in school. The brightest children from poor families could go as far as
university. The first American teachers were the Soldier. In their free time these kind American soldiers set
aside their rifles and taught Filipino children their first words in English.

In 1901, the first batch of professional teachers came from the United States. Hundreds of Filipinos scholars
were sent to the United States on free government pensions. These “pensionados” studied in American
colleges and universities. Many of them became outstanding professional and government officials later on.

Better Health During the American era, the Philippines led other Asian nations in health and sanitation.
The government built the free Philippine General Hospital in Manila and other free hospital in the provinces.

English Language Under the Americans, the Filipinos learned the English language, the most important
language today.

Free Press. At first, the Filipinos were not allowed to campaign for independence or say anything against
American officials. But starting in1902, e began to enjoy more and more freedom. In 1930’s the Philippines
had the freest press in Asia.
Diet and Dress The Americanization of the Filipinos influenced our diet and dress. The Americans
brought new types of food cornflakes, oat meal, ham, egg sandwiches etc.

Filipino mean began to ear trousers with belt and suspenders, polo shirts and tennis shoes. The older
generation was shocked because women’s hemlines became shorter. Women dressed in fancy hats, shirt
and blouse, high heeled shoes, silk stockings, and put on make-up.

Democratic Family Life and Social Classes During the American era began the more
democratic family and social life in the Philippines, gone were the old customs of addressing elders with
“po,” “ate,” “kuya,” or kissing hands of parents and elders (mano po). Instead of “Good morning” or “Good
evening” people greeted each other eith the short “hi”.

Women’s Right During the American era, Filipino women made history. Unlike omen in Asia, Latin
America, and Europe, the Filipino women enjoyed greater rights. They were free to work in an office, study
with men in co-ed schools and date without chaperons.

The first woman councilor of Manila as Carmen Planas in 1937. Mrs. Elisa R. Ochoa of Butuan became the first
congresswoman in 1941.

Recreation The sport minded Americans made our people more conscious of physical fitness and active
recreation. Physical Education became part of the school curriculum.
Movies and Vaudeville The first movie house, Cine Rizal, as built in 1903 at Tondo. An American Army
surgeon, Edward Meyer Gross, made the first local film in 1912, La Vide de Dr. Rizal it as an instant hit. The first
talking American movie came in 129, one year after it as shown in the United States.

Music and Dance The radio and movies helped to spread American songs and dance in the
Philippines. Filipinos learned to croon popular hit songs from America, to play American jazz and to dance
boogie.

Houses The Americans brought ne types of houses and contractions. Many accesorias (small apartments)
catered for workers ho flocked to cities. New bungalows, chalets, two-story concrete houses earthquake-
proof buildings were built.

Art Before the rich Spaniards and Filipinos anted artist to paint religions works and portraits of famous men
and women. But during the American era, rural landscape and scenes from ordinary life became the new
style. The famous painters of this era is Fabian de la Rosa, Fernado Amorsolo, Emilio Alvero, and Victorio C.
Edades.

Science The Americans introduced modern science in the Philippines and trained the Filipinos to become
good scientist. Filipino scholar were sent to America to train in modern science. Dr. angel Arguelles, first
Filipino Director of the Bureau of Science; Dr. Eliodoro Merado, Leprologist; Dr. Miguel Calizares, noted
surgeon; Dra.Honoria Acosta, first woman Doctor; Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, orchidologist; Dr. Joaquin
Maralon, botanist; and Dr. Hilario A. Roxas, zoologist.
American Blood Many Americans married Filipino women, and Filipino married American women. The
children of these marriages looks taller, fairer in complexion, and were more energetic, practically and
progressive.

Historical Values The Americans left us a rich heritage. Because of the coming of the Americans, the
Philippines is the only country in the world to have a mixture of four different cultures, Asian, Spanish,
Mexican and American.

The Cultural Legacies of American:

1.We got a training in democracy under the protection of the United States.
2.The widespread use helped the country religious freedom caused a religious revival in the Philippines.
3.Free education also helped the country because it enable bright but poor students to become professional
and leaders.
4.Knowledge of the English language kept us up-to-date because it became the most important language in
the world.
5.A free press, equal tights for women, and better health and hygiene were signs of our progress and
maturity as a nation.
6.Americanization if our diet, dress, family life, recreation, art, science and popular culture enriched our life.
7.Many Filipinos have American ancestors, and many Americans have Filipino blood.
8.We developed a liking for imported things like household appliances etc. sometimes we even thought
anything imported, or made in U.S., was better than the goods made in the Philippines.
 The Commonwealth of the Philippines
After the Filipinos lost the war to the Americans in 1901, they did not really stop fighting for independence.
The Filipinos carried on the fight for freedom in three ways. (1.)Theater and literature; (2.)Peasant revolts and
the communist party of the Philippines; (3.)Peaceful pressure by the Filipino politicians ending in the
establishment of the commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935.

Freedom Theater and Literature From 1902-1905, some Tagalog zarzuelas became popular with
the masses and were banned by American authorities. These dramas championed Philippines freedom.
Tanikalang Ginto, Ngayon at Bukas by Aurelio Tolentino. Out of these plays came popular music reminding
Filipinos that we were not yet free.

The song “Bayan Ko” during the American regime was made popular again by singer Freddie Aguilar during
the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980’s. Lope K. Santos wrote the first Tagalog novel, Banaag at Sikat in 1935.
Amado V. Hernandez was both writer and labor leader.

Peasant revolts and the Communist Party The colonial government was threatened by several
peasant revolts in the provinces and by the Communist Party of the Philippines. The most serious peasant
revolt was by the Sakdalistas in 1935. Benigno Ramos a popular Tagalog writer and orator founded a
newspaper and a political party named Sakdal. On May 2, 1935 his followers in Laguna and Bilacan rise in
arms.
Political Campaign for Independence After the first World War, Filipino Politicians united to
campaign for immediate Philippine independence. In 1932, the American Congress passed the Hare-
Hawes-Cutting Law. It was the first Philippine Independence law passed by the United States. The law was
passed after the 1931 OSROX mission of senator Sergio Esmena and House Speaker Manual A. Roxas.

The 1935 Philippine Constitution To prepare for Independence and the commonwealth, Filipinos
wrote a new constitution. On July 10, 1934, 202 delegates were elected to a constitutional convention. Claro
M. Recto was elected as convention president. The 1935 Philippine Constitution was also ratified (approved)
by the Filipino people in a plebiscite on May 4, 1935.

The Commonwealth of the Philippines The first national elections in the Philippines were held on
September 17, 1935. At stake were the offices of president, and vice-president of the new Commonwealth of
the Philippines and members of the National Assembly, the new lawmaking body.

Three political parties fielded their candidates for president Quezon, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Bishop
Gregorio Aglipay. Quezon and Osmena ended their political feud and ran for president and the vice-
president under the Coalition (Nacionalista) party.

The newly-elected Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, Quezon was a stirring inaugural address.
President Quezon was reelected for another term on November 11,1941. It was not really the perfect
government, but It pleased the Filipinos. As President Quezon said: “ I would rather have a government run
like hell by the Filipinos than a government run like heaven by Americans.” Unfortunately, this experiment in
democracy was interrupted by the Second World War.
 The Second World War
The worst war in our country was the Second World War (1941-1945). It was also the worst war in the world.
The war started and the Japanese invaded the Philippines. They occupied the country for three years 1942-
1945. They established a puppet government, the second Philippine Republic.

But the American and Filipino Allied troops liberated the Philippines in 1945. The Japanese lost the war and
surrendered. Because of the damage to human lives and property, the second world war was the worst in
the world.

The Japanese Attack December 8, 1941 (Manila time) newspaper boys shouted the bad news” Extra
Extra ! Japan Attacks Hawaii” At 2;30 AM the Japanese had bombed the American. The second world war
had erupted in the Public.

General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE)
could not stop the Japanese invasion

The Commonwealth in Exile Because of the hopeless situation . President Roosevelt wired President
Quezon to escape to the United States. President Quezon , his family and war Cabinet secretly left Corregidor
by submarine on February 20 1942 to October 3, 1944 the Commonwealth government went in exile at
Washington, D. C.
President Quezon died of illness on August 1,1944, and he was succeeded by vice-president Osmena. They
kept the hopes of the Filipinos alive while they were abroad.

“I Shall Return !” The Filipino and American soldier protecting our country made their last stand at Bataan
and Corregidor. General Jonathan Wainwright took over the command of the Fil-American forces from
General MacArthur.

The Fall of Bataan and Corregidor of the other Asian nations attacked by Japan, the Philippines
fought the longest and the hardest one by one, the other western colonies in Asia fell to the Japanese; Inly
the Filipinos loyalty fought side by side with their Western colonizer.

The Death March One of the cruelest atrocities by the Japanese during the second world war was the
infamous Bataan Death March in April 1942. Some 62,000 Filipino soldiers and 11,000 American troops were
forced to March from 7 to 11 days without food, water or medicine. No wonder that 17,000 Fil-American
troops died in this death march – 16,000 Filipinos and 1,200 Americans.

Japanese Military Occupation The Philippines was under Japanese military occupation for three
years from January 3,1942 to July 5, 1945. On January 3,1942 the Japanese Military Administration was set up
in Manila. Headed by the first General Yoshihida Hayashi. The late military head was General Takazi Wachi.
The Japanese declared martial law in the Philippines. They imposed curfew black-outs, rationing, and
censorship. They punish the Filipinos for any hostile acts against Japanese soldiers.

The Second Philippine Republic The Japanese forced Filipino leaders to form a new government.
At first, Jorge B. Vargas became chairman of the Philippines Executive Commission. On January 23, 1942
Executive Commission sent a leader to the Japanese and promised to obey the Japanese order for the sake
of the Filipino people.

Propaganda War The Japanese tried to win the Filipinos by means of propaganda they did not fool us.
The Japanese propaganda section called Hodoo-Bu. The Second taught Nippongo, the Japanese language,
and the pro-Japanese propaganda. Barangays were organized into groups called the Samahang
Magkakapatid-Bahay.

The top agency of the Japanese propaganda was Kalibapi (Kapisanan ng Paglilikod sa Bagong Pilipinas.) It
was the only political party allowed during the Japanese occupation.

The Collaborators Most Filipinos had to collaborate with the Japanese during the war. The Japanese
controlled the food, medicine, and other supplies. They were strict and punished violently anybody who did
not obey their orders.
After the war many Filipinos were tried in peoples courts as collaborators. These included Laurel, Vatgas, and
the other officials who served in the puppet government. But most of them were acquitted and forgiven. They
were only forced to obey the Japanese to protect the other Filipinos.

Guerrilla Warfare The Filipinos and American Soldiers who escaped to the hills formed local guerrilla
movement became a people war against the Japanese. Civilian teachers, students, priest, doctors, rich or
poor, women and children joined the guerrillas. Evan the communists formed a guerrilla army called the Huk
or Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon.

Japanese Atrocities During the Second World War, the Filipinos saw the best and the worst in the
Japanese.

After the war the two Japanese commanders in the Philippines, Generals Masaharu Homma and Tomoyuki
Yamashita were executed for their crimes. The postwar Japanese government paid war reparation to
compensate for some of the damage. Later Emperor Hirohito apologized for his country's atrocities to the
Filipinos during the war.

The Japanese damage to the Philippines during the war was;

*Deaths of the Filipino Soldiers and Civilians 1,111,938 lives.
*Damage to property, goods and services US$ 6,411,732,000.
There were hundreds of cases of atrocities by Japanese soldiers in the Philippines. The atrocities included
murder, torture, and rape of civilians and prisoners of war, and the looting, burning and destruction of
property. For three years, the Filipino suffered under the Japanese. Our land was destroyed. We starved. We
dressed in rags. And we lived in fear of the cruel Kempeitai ( Japanese Military Police.)

Liberation of the Philippines On October 20,1944 the American liberation forces landed at Palo,
Leyte with more than 350 ships and four army divisions. On January 9,1945 the Americans landed at
Lingayen in Luzon. The Japanese troops began to retreat to Baguio.

End of the Second World War Two days later, President Laurel announced the end of the Second
Philippine Republic at Nara.

Restoration of the Commonwealth The Commonwealth government was restored to power as

soon as the Americans landed at Leyte, on October 23,1944. On February 22,1945, President Osmena was
installed at Malacanang Palace after the liberation of Manila.

Manila was damaged heavily during the war. Government buildings and offices were destroyed. The
Philippines treasury was empty.

On June 9,1945, the members of the power commonwealth Congress were recalled. They won in the
November 1941 election but not yet served in office.
 The Third Philippine Republic
The Philippine became the first country to win independence after the Second world war. Other country
admired us. We were the light of Asia. The Philippine Republic lasted from July 4,1946 to September 21,1972.

Birth of the Republic A new postwar government was organized. The First Republic was headed by
General Aguinaldo from 1899 to 1901.The Second Republic was headed by President Laurel during the
Japanese occupation in 1942 to 1945.

Problems of the New Republic The Third Philippine Republic was born after the worst war in history.
It faced serious problems. These problems of nation were:

1.Reconstruction the government buildings and records were destroyed . The factories, Schools, and roads
were ruined by the war.
2.Poor government and poor people The government and the people were broke. Millions of people were
jobless and homeless.
3.Peace and order Manila and other cities were full of criminals and rebels.
4.Moral spiritual decline our people had poor moral and spiritual values .Many Filipinos forgot about God
and were very selfish.
President of the Third Republic The Third Philippine Republic had six presidents;
1.Manuel A. Roxas (1946-48); 4.Carlos P. Garcia (1958-61);
2.Elpidio Quirino (1948-53); 5.Diosdado Macapagal (1962-65);
3.Ramon Magsaysay (1954-57); 6.Ferdinand Marcos (1966-86);

Each President faced very serious national problems. But the people voted them into office because they
promised to solve these national problem.

Roxas Administration Roxas was the first president of the third republic. He took office in May 26,1946.
He worked hard on the serious problems of our country that he died early. He died of a heart attack on April
15, 1948, while he was visiting Clark Air Base on Pampanga.

Quirino Administration After Roxas died, Vice President Elpidio Quirino became the president in April
17, 1948. He completed the four year tern of Roxas and won the 1949 election . So Quirino was the president
until December 30,1953. His Vice president wae Fernando Lopez.

President Quirino continued the policies of president Roxas. He gave special radio talks to the people, like
President Quezon. He also helped the poor by starting rural banks in the provinces.

Magsaysay Administration Ramon Magsaysay was the defense secretary under President Quirino.
In the 1953 elections, he defeated Quirino and became the third president of the republic. His vice president
was Carlos P. Garcia.
President Magsaysay saved democracy in the Philippines . This was his greatest achievement. He stopped
the Huk or communist rebellion. Luis Taruc, Huk Supremo or chief communist leader, surrendered to him. Thus
Magsaysay was called the “Savior of Democracy.”

He was the first president to wear the native barong tagalog instead of the Western coat and tie. But
Magsaysay made it fashionable and high class. He did not put his relatives in government offices. Alas,
President Magsaysay died early. In March 17,1957, his plane crashed at Mt. Manunggal in Cebu.

Garcia Administration On Match 18,1957 Vice president Garcia took over as president after the
death of Magsaysay. He run again in the 1957 election and became president until December 30,1961. His
vice president was Diosdado Macapagal.

President Garcia continued the policies of the President Magsaysay. He strengthened democracy and
improved the living “Filipino First” policy. He sent the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and other folk dance groups
abroad. They won the prized and fame for the Filipinos.

Macapagal Administration Diosdado Macapal won the 1960 election and became the fifth
president of the republic. His vice president was Emmanuel Pelaez.

President Macapagal promised a “New Era” for the Philippines. He use the national language in passport,
stamps, traffic sighs and typhoon names. HE changed Philippine independence day from July 4th to June
12th. HE helped to start the MAPHILINDO a group to bring Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia closer. He
asked Congress to pass the first land reform law in 1963.
Marcos Administration Ferdinand Marcos defeated Macapagal in the 1965 election and became the
sixth president of the third Philippine republic. Marcos was the longest-serving president of our country (1966-
86). He was also the first and only president to declare martial law in the Philippines (1972-1981). He was the
only president to be ousted by a bloodless revolution called “People Power” in 1986.

In 1965, President Marcos promised, “This nation can be great again!” He was the president who built the
most number of roads, bridges, schoolhouses, government buildings, and irrigation systems.

President Marcos won a second term on the 1969 elections. He was the only president of the Philippines to
win re-election. During the second term of President Marcos, Pope Paul VI became the first pope to visit the
Philippines in November 1970.

The Marcos Dictatorship President Marcos became a dictatorship for 14 years frim 1972 to 1986.
While president Marcos was a dictator, democracy died in our country from 1972 to 1986.

Martial Law Declared Democracy in the Philippines died on September 21,1972 when martial law was
declared. For many years after the, September 21 was celebrated as the anniversary of martial law. But
people considered it the national day of “mourning” for the death of our democracy.

President Marcos secretly sign the Martial law order on September 21, but he announced it only two days
later. President Marcos said he ordered martial law in order to “save the republic and reform the society.”
Martial Law Changes During martial law, President Marcos ruled as dictator with the support of the
military. Under martial law, the Philippine government was changed by the president Marcos. These were the
changes during the martial law era:

1. A new constitution 4.Control by the Marcos family and cronies

2.Death of democracy 5.Stronger military power
3.Reorganization of government

Death of Democracy There was really no democracy during the Marcos dictatorship because of the
following orders:

1.Arrest and detention(imprisonment) of Marcos opponents and protesters against the government. Anti
Marcos politicians, journalist, professors, student activists, labor leader, businessmen, and communist were
thrown into military camps and secret jails all over the country. Among those jailed were Senators Benigno
Aquino Jr., Jose Diokno, and Ramon Mitra; Con-con delegates Teofisto Guingona, Jose Mari Velez and
Enrique Garcia; journalist Napoleon Rama, Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, Maximo Soliven and Amando Doronilla;
and publishers Joaquin Roces and Teodoro Locsin.
2.Closing down of all newspaper, radio and television stations, and printing presses. They were only allowed
to reopen, if they agreed to censorship. These ended freedom of the press in the Philippines.
3. Government control of all public utilities and important industries. The government took over the airlines,
railways, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Meralco and local electronics companies the water
districts, and even the Manila Hotel.
5. Ban on public meetings, student demonstrations and labor strikes. This ended freedom of speech and
protest.
6.Ban in private weapons. All citizens were ordered to surrender their guns, rifles and private weapons.
7.Torture and murdered of political prisoners. Many political prisoners were tortured and killed only because
they were against the government.

Government Reorganization Marcos changed the local government. The old barrios were now
called barangays. The country was divided into thirteen administrative regions, from Region I from Luzon to
Region XII in Mindanao, with the National Capital Region in Manila.

For a while Marcos became both the President and prime minister of the Philippines.
On June 12,1978 Marcos announced a new national motto: “Isang Bansa, Isang Diwa”(One Nation, One
Spirit).

Control by Marcos Family and Cronies President Marcos give his wife and some members and
friends important position in the government. The Filipino custom of “delicadeza” (shame) was gone.

Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos hade several position, including governor of Metro Manila and Minister of
Human Settlements.

Strong Military Power For the first time on the Philippine postwar history. Marcos created special
military courts to try even civilians.
The Fourth Republic On January 17, 1981, President Marcos ended martial law. However, he retained
his strong power. On June 16, 1981 the first president election were held after martial law. President Marcos
won 88% of the votes under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party. Marcos became the first and only
president of this Fourth Republic.

Aquino Assassination In the Afternoon of Black Sunday, August 21, 1983, China Airlines jet brought
back Senator Banigno Aquino “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to the Manila International Airport. He wanted peace and
reconciliation with president Marcos. But this top opposition leader was arrested by military security and shot
by a military assassin as he got down the plane.

The Funeral of “Ninoy” was held on Wednesday, August 31,1983. It was attended by over two million people.
This was the biggest funeral in the Philippine history.

Afterwards, many demonstrations, rallies and marches, Wearing yellow ribbons and t-shirt, driving yellow
cars and dropping yellow confetti from the buildings, the demonstrators demanded the resignation of
President Marcos and the return of justice and democracy. It was led by Mrs. Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco
Aquino, the widow of the beloved “Ninoy”
People Power Revolution and Democracy Again
After the Aquino Assassination, President Marcos was removed from the office by the “People power
Revolution” On February 22-25 1986. We returned to democracy again and a new government of the
Philippines.

Snap Presidential Election President Marcos was forced to call for a special “snap” Presidential
election on February 7, 1986. The Political opposition united and presented a surprise candidate, Mrs.
Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino (Ninoy’ widow) for president with Assemblyman Salvador H. Laurel for
vice-president.

The “People Power Revolution.” On February 22 to 25, 1986 the Filipino people united in a
peaceful, and successful revolution to bring back democracy in the Philippines.

The People Power revolution started at Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA, on February 22, 1986. Defense Secretary
Juan Ponce Enrile and deputy of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos. They admitted that Mrs. Aquino won the election
and that the government cheated. They asked President Marcos to resign for the good of the country.
President Marcos and his family and some friends left the country quickly in a U.S Air Forced jet. They went to
the United States. The former president and Mrs. Marcos lived in exile on Honolulu, Hawaii.

The “People Power Revolution” was over and the Filipino people had won. Democracy was back. Cried
tears of joy, people knelt and thanked God for the miracle of the bloodless revolution.

The Aquino Government President Aquino appointed a new Cabinet and restored democracy. She
set free all the political prisoners. March 25, 1986, she proclaimed a temporary “Freedom Constitution.” She
swept away the old constitution and government of the Marcos dictatorship.

The New Constitution President Aquino appointed delegates to a new constitution. The new
constitution was approved by the people in a free plebiscite on February 2, 1987.

On May 11, 1987 new senators and congressmen were elected to the new Congress. It was one of the most
peaceful and honest election in Philippine history.

Local Government was also returned to democracy. On January 18,1988 the people voted for a new
governors, mayors, and councilors. The new Barangay officials were also elected.
Achievement of the Aquino Government;

1.The return of democracy, freedom, and justice in the Philippines;

2.Partial recovery of the big sums of money stolen by Marcos family.

3.Stability of the government despite six successive military coups led by loyalist forces of Marcos, reformist
soldiers.

4.Easier credit terms and better conditions for repayment of the huge debt of the Philippines with foreign
creditors and international banks.

5.Pushed back the communist New peoples Army (NPA) rebels and the arrest of many top communist
leaders.

6.Passed the best agrarian reform ever made in the country.

7.Emproved the image of the Philippines abroad.

8.Mobilized national and international aid for the victims of various calamities which hit the Philippines. These
natural calamities included the Baguio and Central Luzon earthquake of July 16, 1990.