Introduction to Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand Marcos (Tagalog: Ferdinand Marcos, September 11, 1917 - September 28, 1989), Philippine politician, dictator, former President of the Philippines, 1965-1986 ruled the Philippines for years. He came to power by advocating economic and social reforms, and during his tenure became known as an authoritarian rule characterized by corrupt crony capitalism and political repression. Born on September 11, 1917 in Ilocos Norte. In 1941, he joined the U.S.-Philippine Allied Forces and served as a second lieutenant intelligence officer in the Infantry Division. Participated in the Battle of Bataan in 1942. He once served as the military judge of the Second Division of the Philippine Army. In 1945, he was appointed by General MacArthur as the administrator of the eight provinces of Northern Luzon and was promoted to colonel. Joined Roxas' Liberal Party in 1945. He joined the Kuomintang in 1964 and was elected President of the Philippines in December 1965. Elected president again in 1969. In 1978, he concurrently served as Prime Minister. In the same year, the New Social Movement Party was formed on the basis of the original Kuomintang and he served as its chairman. Elected president for the third time in 1981. In 1983, his political opponent Benigno Aquino was assassinated at Manila International Airport (today's Ninoy Aquino International Airport) after returning from the United States. Marcos was suspected of being behind the assassination. He was elected president for the fourth time in 1986, but was forced to go into exile in Hawaii, the United States, due to large-scale mass protests caused by electoral fraud (the People Power Revolution). On September 28, 1989, he died of heart disease in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, at the age of 72.