40 years after Martial Law

On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos (father of Sen. BongBong Marcos) signed Proclamation 1081 putting the entire Philippines under Martial Law.  This would start the end of democracy in the Philippines.  Congress was suspended including the judicial courts.  People were being arrested (and disappearing) everyday including prominent politicians and personalities who were considered as a threat to the state and President Marcos.  All prisoners were taken to military and police camps and were sentenced by a military court controlled by the state.  It was only in 1981 that martial law was lifted and a new republic was established by Marcos.  However this new republic would remain under the control of President Marcos.  It was during this period that the Philippine economy suffered and was labeled by the international community as "The Sick Man of Asia".

Remembering Martial Law 1972

On September 21, 1972, former President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire Philippine archipelago under the state of Martial Law.  Immediately upon its proclamation, all media outlets (tv, radio, newspapers) were closed, anyone who were against President Marcos were arrested including politicians and journalists.  For the next 14 years, Filipinos suffered economic hardships, oppression and no guaranteed freedom.

Today as we celebrate another year of this momentous event, we should never forget the hardships and suffering our heroes have gone through to achieve our freedom from Marcos dictatorship.  It is quite sad that we again elected another Marcos (Senator Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr.) in the Senate.  It seems we have already forgotten how their family drove our country to what it is today, a sick man of Asia.