MIDTERM EXAM ON READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Name: Rose Marie T. Revilla

Question:
1.) What kind of source (i.e., primary or secondary) do you think the entire film
can be categorized? Explain why. Do you think that the people/personalities
who were interviewed are reliable and credible? In what way? Explain your
answer.
2.) How would you describe the Martial Law period under Pres. Ferdinand
Marcos Sr.? Describe the benefits and the disadvantages of the Martial Law as
depicted on the video. Do you think that the Martial Law was generally beneficial
to the Filipinos and/or to the country? Explain your answer.
3.) How did Pres. Marcos Sr. sustain his power with the use of fear behind
Martial Law? Describe his strategies/tactics, those instances, actions, or events.
Explain how Filipinos defied/opposed these.
4) How did “crony capitalism” behind the projects (e.g., road developments,
buildings, and other infrastructure projects), initiatives (agrarian reform, etc.), and
owners of private businesses benefitted Pres. Marcos Sr.? How did the Filipinos
suffer from this kind of economy?
5) Describe the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Explain its causes and/or events that
led to it.
6) Based on the film, how would you DISPROVE the following:
a) Pres. Marcos Sr. was the “best president the Philippines ever had;”
b) Martial Law period was the “glorious or golden age of the country”.
7) How important is it to remember the Martial Law period and EDSA Revolution?
What is/are the purposes and/or reasons of remembering these events?
8) With the coming National Election on May 9, 2022, how should we AVOID the
suffering, maleficence, oppressions, abuses, among others, being done to the
nation? What should be done? How can we choose the best & sincerest
government officials amidst today’s phenomena on false propagandas, face
news, misinformation, and disinformation?
Answers:
1. The film can be categorized into secondary sources, because it was already
documented. It was analyzed, assessed or being interpreted with historical event.
As we can see in the film, it was being critique. Out from the people who have
given interviewed some of it found to be incridible. For example, the false claims
of Juan Ponce Enrile on Martial Law. Former Marcos efense minister Juan Ponse
Enrile, the chitect and implementer of Martial Law, also wrongly claims that there
were no massacres during that time.
2. .Ferdinand Marcos will never be categorized as a hero. True heroes were the
ones who fought for freedom and change during his dictatorship. While some
would rather state the projects of Marcos contributed to the national
development, we should look deeper. Marcos’ ‘achievements’ necessitated
unscrupulous measures for his personal advantage. Our group stands firmly as
the country commemorates the 47th year of nationwide proclamation of Martial
Law, a truly blood-stained period in the Philippines’ history. During this phase,
enormous political gains were achieved at the people’s expense, such as the
disregard of rights, mass killings, and abuse of power. The declaration of Martial
Law in 1972 was a prelude to agony of the Filipino people. To this day, the
shadows of the tyranny, injustice, and dictatorship of Marcos resurface with the
ruling of the current president. With Duterte’s explicit disrespect for the Filipino
people, the
present mirrors the past. His misogyny, incompetence, brutality, and
heedlessness are nothing but traits not worthy to be within a leader of the nation.
We should view martial law as an integral part of history that even our fellow
teenagers should understand. Since our generation is technologically inclined,
information is on the tip of our hands, this generation is not really aware of what
is happening and what really happened during martial law. Martial law is relevant,
it is an integral part of history and whether we like it or not, it has been a game
changer on the democracy of our country, In order for us to understand the
meaning of democracy, therefore, we must really learn about this dark chapter in
our Philippine history. On September 21, 1972, the Marcos administration
enacted Presidential Decree 1081 which placed the entire Philippines under the
rule of Martial Law. During the Martial Law, various records of human rights
abuses, economic stagnation, moral controversies and sabotages have occurred,
wherein its remnants are still evident up to this day. During the Martial Law era, I
firmly believed that not to mention the benefits that this announcement provided
us, such as discipline, obedience, and allegiance to the ruler. The authorities
have used the declaration of martial law in such a way that the citizens of this
country will despise them, violating their constitution, corrupting the people's
money, corrupting thecitizens' rights, and corrupting the minds of the military
whose primary goal is to defend the country, not to harm its citizens. Martial law
reawakened patriotism and a desire for democracy rather than dictatorship by
those in control. Citizens' minds were opened to move, join, and fight due to
martial law.Human rights should not be compromised to achieve a common aim.
We must outline our goals and vision regarding citizens' rights and our
constitution to move forward.
3. There is Nothing to be fear of Martial Law during the Marcos era was
characterized by killings, torture, disappearances, and censorship. However, a
number of netizens argued that it was a peaceful time, and that Filipinos who
didn’t oppose the government had nothing to be afraid of. In January 1973
Marcos proclaimed the ratification of a new constitution based on the
parliamentary system, wit himself as both president and prime minister. He did
not, however, convene the interim legislature. There was a sustained campaign
of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. And this nonviolent
revolution led to President Marcos departure.
4. Certain associates of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos,
historically referred to using the catchphrase "Marcos cronies",benefited from
their friendship with Marcos – whether in terms of legal assistance, political
favors, or facilitation of business monopolies, during his administration. Marcos
critics, and the local and international press began referring to these individuals
as "cronies" during the latter days of the Marcos dictatorship, and the Philippine
government – especially the Presidential Commission on Good Government
(PCGG) – continued using the term after the ouster of Marcos in 1986. These
"cronies" were awarded government commissions, projects, and funds, many of
which were later investigated for corruption, misuse of funds, and disregard of
the Constitution of the Philippines. Marcos' cronies were given strategic positions
both in the government and in private sectors in order for the Marcoses to seize
control of the major industries of the country. The Philippines' economy during
the Marcos Regime had been severely affected not only due to the "crony
capitalism", but also with the 1979 Oil Crisis and the Early 1980s
Recession.Crony Capitalism, as defined by Cambridge Dictionary, is
characterized by an unfair treatment ofthe seated government official toward his
or her family members and friends, especially in theaspect of loans, jobs etc.
Government officials were able to tolerate corruption within the system,as well as
the abuse of the power they possessed. Thus, people who are in need are
deprived ofthe attention that they need.
5. The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless
revolution erupted, called EDSA People Power’s Revolution. February 25, 1986
marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and
minds of every filipino. This part of Philippine history gives us a strong sense of
pride especially that other nations had attempted to emulate what we have
shown the world of the true power of democracy. The true empowerment of
democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts to oust a tyrant by a
demonstration without tolerance for violence and bloodshed. Prayers and
rosaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that the filipinos used to
recover their freedom from President Ferdinand Marcos’s iron hands. The
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the
peaceful demonstration was held on that fateful day. It was a day that gathered
all filipinos in unity with courage and faith to prevail democracy in the country. It
was the power of the people, who assembled in EDSA,that restored the
democratic Philippines, ending the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came to
be known as the EDSA People Power’s Revolution.
6. A. Up to this very day, people are divided on views of Marcos. Many say he is
a real hero, a great statesman, and the best president the Philippines ever had.
Others say that he was a corrupt dictator who looted the national coffers dry and,
upon declaring Martial Law, committed grave human rights abuses. Ferdinand
Marcos, wo ruled the Philippines as a dectator from 972 to 986, is remembered
for the thousands of human rights violations he committed, as well as his
massive corruption. Indeed, Marcos holds the dubious title of being the most
corrupt Philippine president ( a little for which there is unfortunately stiff
competition), and has been identified in one study as the second most corrupt
government leader in the world, as measured by the value of public assets he
stole.
B. In fact, the Philippines was not even the richest country in Southeast Asia
during those two decades. Before Marcos won the presidency in November
1965, our GDP per capita was the third highest in the ASEAN region next to
Singapore and Malaysia. By the time he was ousted by the Filipino people
through the EDSA Revolution in February 1986, our GDP per capita had dropped
to fifth place behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Moreover, the
crony capitalism esoused by Marcos was a desincentive for the growth of private
enterprise in favor of cronies’ interests- which led to the stagnation of
manufacturing and prevented te Philippines from partaking of the so - called
“East Asian miracle” in succeeding decades. As a result, our economy lost so
much ground companied to neighboring countries and catching up with them has
remained a big challenge up to day.
7. The importance of properly remembering this period is becoming more urgent
given the political climate in the country, with President Rodrigo Duterte being a
close ally of the Marcoses, and even making possible the dictator’s burial at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). Just as alarming are the
President’s Marcosian measures which have also been noted by human rights
organizations and heavily criticized and opposed by civil society groups. The
challenge of remembering this critical period in Philippine history has never been
greater, especially in this age of social media and pandemic. But the challenge
must be faced, both for historical accuracy and justice. It is also important for the
Philippine’s integrity as a nation since its Constitution highlights the values of
human rights, democracy and social justice; values taken away from the Filipino
people during the dark days of Martial Law. Whenever Filipinos remember the
days of Martial Law that happen during the 1970’s, it always brings with it the
memories of the abuses and atrocities that happened during this dark time in the
history of the Philippines. But in recent times, some Filipinos especially the
current generation view the Martial Law era as a “golden age of the Philippines”.
In a special episode of “History with Lourd”, Lourd de Veyra tell his viewers from
the outset that he won’t be objective in this episode because he wants to bust out
the many myths and misconceptions people have about Martial Law. He invited
historians, political scientists, architects, from the De La Salle University and the
University of the Philippines to shed light on this topic. Also on the show was
former Senator Rene Saguisag to share some of his experience during Martial
Law. No people should forget their history so that the grievous mistakes of the
past will never be repeated again. The millennial generation never truly
experienced the horrors of martial law; and, it is very important for them to know
the truths about martial law.
8. As a student, we need a good political leader in our country who is capable to
take decisions, determined to work for the betterment, has the willingness to
manage & rectify issues and importantly stand up for what is right. Moreover, a
political leader should not be worried about his/her position, power and authority.
He should always work for the growth of the society and should value his
citizens. Every political leader should inherit the skills and research capabilities to
think and act towards future growth.