A Dark Chapter: The Declaration of Martial Law

A position paper submitted by:

Abutal, Gloren Antonette B.

BSE-English 1B

Keren Happuch Valleser

Readings in Philippine History Instructor

May 2024
 A Dark Chapter: The Declaration of Martial Law

In times of emergency, when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to

preserve public order and safety, a government may declare martial law, which is
enforced by military forces. Before we delineate the reasons why martial law is one of
the darkest chapter of the Philippine History, let us define what is martial law. Martial law
substitutes civilian government into military government especially during times of war,
insurrection, and natural disasters. When martial is imposed, military commander has
the right to make and enforce laws. And this power is directed to the president of the
country since they are the commander-in-chief. But sometimes too much power makes
you greedy of it.

Philippine History tells us about the declaration of martial law, and we can even hear
a story about this event on our grandparents. The infamous “1081” of September 21,
1972, whereas former President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Sr. declared an issue. It
is one of the lengthiest, wordy, and detailed Presidential Announcement. Ferdinand
Marcos Sr., starting as a congressman in Ilocos to being a Senate President in 1963.
And during 1965 he won the presidential election against Diosdado Macapagal whose
running for his second term. During his first term, a lot of people believed in his
capabilities and he gained their trust easily, which also allow him to become the first
Philippine President to be re-elected. However, on his second term a lot of speculations
about his plans for the Philippines, corruption and poverty arose. These issues
provoked people from trusting Marcos’ presidency. A lot of protestants wants Marcos to
step down from his position. The constant bombings threaten the peace and security of
the country, and that’s when Marcos declared martial law. According to him, martial law
is one way to protect the country from increasing number of activists, protestants, and
terrorists. His reasons has a great point, but how come people are against of martial
law? This proclamation is a double-edged sword it comes with a positive and negative
impacts. And this position paper will delineate how martial law negatively impact our
society.
I. Abused of Human Rights
The declaration of martial law in the Philippines have a severe impacts in
human rights of the people. During his interview in 1975, Marcos told the
Amnesty International that over 50,000 had been arrested and detained
without proper questioning. Those who were arrested includes church
workers, human rights defenders, lawyers, and even journalists. Waves of
crimes, terrorists attack, protestants, and a thousands of people were tortured
that extensively violated the human rights.
II. Fostered a culture of Fear and Impunity
During the period of martial law under Marcos, the regime of authoritarian
rule created a culture of fear and impunity. The authorities, under the guise of
martial law, were able to act with impunity, which they can carry out actions
without facing a consequences or they were not held accountable for their
actions. Due to these, it allows them to abused power, threaten people, and
also allow them from corrupting the country. As a result, fear were instilled to
people making them powerless and have no rights to oppose or question the
action of the authorities.
III. Erosion of Democratic Institutions
During this period, the power was centralized and directed to the
president. The suppression of political opposition making it harder for the
people to drag Marcos from his regime, and losing their rights to pick a rightful
president who can lead the nation better. The Philippines’ democracy was
undermined by the absence of strong institutions and the martial law’s
subversion of the rule of law, which led to a political climate in which the
public was denied a voice and the government had no real accountability to
the people.
IV. Corruption
Marcos supposedly holds the Guinness World Record: “World’s Most
Brilliant President in the History”. Instead of getting that title, instead, he holds
 the Guinness World Record: “Greatest Robbery of a Government” to the tune
of $5 billion to $10 billion. And this record has yet to be beaten.
Meralco is one of the example that the Marcoses taken over. It was taken
over by one of Imelda Marcos’ brother Kokoy Romualdez, who not just
mismanage it but he also drained the money and finances of the company.
Marcos also monopolized the construction of the infamous Bataan Power
Plant which is now useless. He receives $50 million for the budget of the
construction but, Marcos himself got $30 million out of it. Aside from
monopolizing private sector he also monopolize public sector just like the
Central Bank of the Philippines By the end of his presidency, Central Bank
losses about 300 billion pesos, making it the cause of its abolishment. The old
Central Bank was replaced by a new institution, the Banko Sentral ng
Pilipinas.

There are many more reasons why martial law is one of the darkest chapter of the
Philippine History. Yes, there is also a positive impact of the martial, however it brought
scars to the people that they cannot forget. Martial can be a good thing, just like the
declaration of martial law during the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte. He declared
martial because of the countless attacks of the Maute group in Marawi City. And in order
to restore peace and order, he declared martial law in some particular places only. On
his declaration, peace is restored and did not cause many harm to other people not
unlike to the declaration of Marcos. Many attempts to downplay what really happened
during the time of Martial Law, and they even argued that the country and the people
should already forget the past and move on. However, we must not forget the past
because it will teach us to not be fooled again by this kind of leader. We were once
fooled by the Marcoses, we should not fall twice to their trap.

Overall, the declaration of martial leave a long-term effect in our country, on people,
economy, and even politics. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of wrong exercise of
power and the importance of upholding the democratic principles of the people for the
better future of our society, so that the history would not repeat itself.
References:

Punongbayan, J. (2019, September 19). [ANALYSIS] Just how bad was corruption
during the Marcos years? RAPPLER.
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/240477-analysis-just-how-bad-was-
corruption-marcos-years/ https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/240477-
analysis-just-how-bad-was-corruption-marcos-years/Punongbayan

Five things to know about Martial Law in the Philippines. (2022, September 21).
Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/five-things-to-
know-about-martial-law-in-the-philippines/

Declaration OF Martial LAW Position Paper – BSEDSOCSCI 11 JINNY ROSE C. RADO

JUNE 17, 2022 – Studocu. (n.d.). Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/negros-oriental-state-university/law-and-related-
studies/declaration-of-martial-law-position-paper/30877413