Presidency of Corazon Aquino
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President of the Philippines
Post-Presidency |
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Corazon Aquino became the 11th President of the Philippines following the People Power Revolution or EDSA 1, and spanned a six-year period from February 25, 1986, to June 30, 1992. Aquino's relatively peaceful ascension to the Philippine presidency signaled the end of authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, and drew her and the Filipino people international acclaim and admiration.
During the first months of Aquino's presidency, the country experienced radical changes and sweeping democratic reforms. Aquino created the
1986 presidential election
Administration and cabinet
Supreme Court appointments
Aquino appointed the following to the Supreme Court of the Philippines:
- Chief Justice
- Claudio Teehankee – (appointed Chief Justice, April 2, 1986)
- Justice Jose Feria – April 7, 1986
- Pedro Yap – April 8, 1986 (appointed Chief Justice, April 19, 1988)
- Marcelo Fernan – April 9, 1986 (appointed Chief Justice, July 1, 1988)
- Andres Narvasa – April 10, 1986 (his last SC Chief Justice, December 1, 1991)
- Associate Justices
- Justice Isagani Cruz – April 16, 1986
- Justice Edgardo L. Paras – April 16, 1986
- Justice Florentino P. Feliciano – August 8, 1986
- Justice Teodoro R. Padilla – January 12, 1987
- Justice Abdulwahid Bidin – January 12, 1987
- Justice Emilio A. Gancayco – January 12, 1987
- Justice Abraham Sarmiento – January 25, 1987
- Justice Irene R. Cortes– February 1, 1987
- Justice Carolina Griño-Aquino – February 2, 1988
- Justice Leo D. Medialdea – May 2, 1988
- Justice Florenz Regalado – July 29, 1988
- Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.– January 24, 1991
- Justice Flerida Ruth Pineda-Romero – October 21, 1991
- Justice Rodolfo A. Nocon – December 2, 1991
- Justice Josue N. Bellosillo – March 3, 1992 (her last SC justice appointee)
Domestic policies
Economy
Aquino inherited an economy that was bankrupt and debt-ridden as a result of twenty years of mismanagement under the
Aquino moved quickly to tackle the issue of the US$26 billion foreign debt incurred by her predecessor, deciding to honor all the debts that were incurred previously under different administrations instead of repudiating it; her decision proved to be unpopular but Aquino defended it, saying that it was the most practical move and choice to make as it was crucial for the country at that time to regain the confidence of investors and the international community in the Philippine economy. Since 1986, the Aquino administration has paid off $4 billion of the country's outstanding debts to regain good international credit ratings and attract the attention of future markets. Nevertheless, her administration borrowed an additional $9 billion, increasing the national debt by $6 billion within six years since the ouster of President Marcos in 1986.
The Aquino administration sought to bring back
The economy posted a positive growth of 3.4% during her first year in office. But in the aftermath of the
Revolutionary government
Immediately after assuming the presidency, Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3, which established a
Aquino and other top officials fired pro-Marcos governors and mayors, replacing them in all provinces with people loyal to Aquino.
Landmark legislation
Aquino promulgated two landmark
Likewise, Aquino closed down the Marcos-dominated Batasang Pambansa to prevent the new Marcos loyalist opposition from undermining her democratic reforms, and reorganized the membership of the Supreme Court to restore its independence. In May 1986, the reorganized Supreme Court declared the Aquino government as "not merely a de facto government but in fact and law a de jure government", whose legitimacy had been affirmed by the community of nations.[12] This Supreme Court decision significantly affirmed the status of Aquino as the new, legitimate and rightful leader of the Philippines.
1986 Constitutional Commission
To fast-track the restoration of a full constitutional government and the writing of a new charter, Aquino appointed 48 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (Con-Com), led by retired activist Supreme Court Associate Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma. The Con-Com completed its final draft in October 1986.[13] On February 2, 1987, the new Constitution of the Philippines, which put strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights and social justice, was overwhelmingly approved by the Filipino people.[14] The ratification of the new Constitution was followed by the election of senators and congress that same year and the holding of local elections in 1988.
Agrarian reform
Upon her ascension into power, President Aquino envisioned agrarian and
In response to calls for agrarian reform, Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation 131 and Executive Order 229 on July 22, 1987, which outlined her land reform program, which included sugar lands. In 1988, with the backing of Aquino, the new
Despite the implementation of CARP, Aquino was not spared from the controversies that eventually centered on Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare (15,950-acre) estate located in the province of Tarlac, which was a shared inheritance among the Cojuangco clan.[18] She was scored for allowing Hacienda Luisita, which was now owned by the Tarlac Development Corporation, to opt for stock distribution, instead of land redistribution. As such, ownership of agricultural portions of the hacienda were transferred to the corporation, which in turn, gave its shares of stocks to farmers.[18]
The arrangement remained in force until 2006, when the Department of Agrarian Reform revoked the stock distribution scheme adopted in Hacienda Luisita, and ordered instead the redistribution of a large portion of the property to the tenant-farmers.[19] The department stepped into the controversy when in 2004, violence erupted over the retrenchment of workers in the Hacienda, eventually leaving seven people dead.[18]
Communist insurgency
Shortly after assuming the presidency, Aquino offered peace talks with the
Privatization
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When Aquino assumed the presidency in 1986, ₱31 billion, slightly more than 25 percent of the government's budget, was allocated to public sector enterprises—
Burdened with 296 public sector enterprises, plus 399 other nonperforming assets transferred to the government by the PNB and the DBP, the Aquino administration established the Asset Privatization Trust in 1986 to dispose of government-owned and government-controlled properties. By early 1991, the Asset Privatization Trust had sold 230 assets with net proceeds of ₱14.3 billion. Another seventy-four public sector enterprises that were created with direct government investment were put up for sale; fifty-seven enterprises were sold wholly or in part for a total of about ₱6 billion. The government designated that about 30 percent of the original public sector enterprises be retained and expected to abolish another 20 percent. There was widespread controversy over the fairness of the divestment procedure and its potential to contribute to an even greater concentration of economic power in the hands of a few wealthy families.[23][failed verification]
After the
Media and culture
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Since 1986, Aquino adopted
After the EDSA revolution, she removed Maharlika Broadcasting System (MBS), a Marcos government-owned TV network; the network ceased transmitting on February 24, 1986. The name of MBS was changed to its interim name The New TV-4 but it was officially rebranded as the People's Television Network (PTV) in April 1986. On March 26, 1992, PTV made a government broadcaster for the first time under Republic Act 7306 when it was signed.
Aquino encouraged the tourism sector to boost the national economy. Under her six-year term, the
Sports
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Under Aquino's administration, Filipino athletes brought home several medals in international sports events. The
Energy
The Philippines experienced daily power disruptions during a period of Aquino's administration.[28] As part of Aquino's revitalized rural electrification program, Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost island province of the Philippines, started its regular 24-hour power service in 1989.[29]
Aquino's decision to mothball the
Foreign policies
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United States
U.S. visit and emergency aid
In September 1986, Aquino made her first state visit to the United States. She gave a speech in a joint session of the United States Congress with U.S. lawmakers wearing yellow ribbons symbolizing support to Aquino.
Following her speech in the United States Congress in 1986, the
U.S. Bases Extension Treaty
On June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo, just 20 miles (32 km) from Subic Bay, exploded with a force 8 times greater than the Mount St. Helens eruption. Day turned to night as volcanic ash blotted out the sun. Volcanic earthquakes and heavy rain, lightning and thunder from Typhoon Yunya passing over northern Luzon made Black Saturday a 36-hour nightmare. By the morning of June 16, when the volcano's fury subsided, Subic Bay, once one of the most beautiful and well-maintained Navy bases in the Pacific, lay buried under a foot of rain-soaked, sandy ash.
That night, the threat of continued eruptions combined with the lack of water and electricity led to the decision to evacuate all dependents. U.S. warships and cargo planes began
After the dependents were evacuated, an intense clean-up was begun. American service members and Filipino base employees, worked around the clock to restore essential services.
Many months before the expiration of the
In December 1991, the two governments were again in talks to extend the withdrawal of American forces for three years but this broke down as the United States refused to detail their withdrawal plans or to answer if
During 1992, tons of material including
Japan
Aquino worked towards restitution for some of the wrongs committed by Japan during World War II. New foreign aid agreements also were concluded during this visit. Aquino returned to Japan in 1989 for Hirohito's funeral and in 1990 for the enthronement of Emperor Akihito. After a series of talks with four prime ministers from Yasuhiro Nakasone from 1986 to 1987, to Kiichi Miyazawa from 1991 to 1992, the Japanese Government provided economic and trade relations between the two countries, massive inflow of Japanese investors and tourists, rehabilitation and construction of schools, hospitals and roads, and guaranteed justice for Filipino comfort women after World War II. Also in an official state visit, she and Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita received condolences in the wake of MV Doña Paz tragedy.
Soviet Union
Aquino met Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in a state visit in Moscow in 1987. Aquino and Gorbachev agreed that the Philippines and the Soviet Union established the two-nation economic ties and to promote their reforms based on the perestroika and glasnost systems paved their way to democracy, it also includes a Philippine–Soviet friendship.[clarification needed] She returned between 1991 and 1992 for the state visit with President Boris Yeltsin since Russia was independent on December 25, 1991.
China and South Korea
In a state visit in China between Aquino and Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping in 1988, the two leaders discussed the economic relations between the Philippines and China; she also visited Hong Jian village, the ancestral homes of the Conjuangcos, where her grandparents and children were born and raised before they migrated to the Philippines. Later, she went to South Korea between 1986 and 1988, for separate meetings with presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo in relation to Philippine–South Korean economic, social and cultural ties. Aquino and Roh also discussed unification talks between South and North Korea, which would have ended hostilities began during the Korean War in the 1950s.
ASEAN and U.N.
Aquino made her first state visits in
Aquino went to the United Nations assembly in New York in July 1988 and made a speech during the 45th General Assembly; in her speech, Aquino spoke to the international community about democratic freedoms since the Philippines received freedom after the revolution in 1986, and promised to provide a resolution for the protection of migrant workers and their families. During the visit, she met with Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar to discuss anti-poverty and anti-insurgency measures in the Philippines.
1987 legislative elections
This section may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (December 2022) |
Aquino's administration-coalition won 22 out of the 24 senate seats in the 1987 legislative election.
- Philippine Democratic Socialist Party, Bandila and Pinaghiusa.
- Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD) coalition – composed of the Nacionalista Party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, Liberal Party-Kalaw Wing, Partido Nacionalista ng Pilipinas, Christian Socialist Democratic Party, Mindanao Alliance and Muslim Federal Party
- UPP-KBL coalition – composed of Pro-Marcos forces.
Military insurrections
Coup attempts (1986–1987)
From 1986 to 1987, there were six plots to overthrow the government of Aquino involving various members of the
1989 coup attempt
The most serious coup d'état against the government of Aquino was staged beginning December 1, 1989, by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines belonging to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and soldiers loyal to former President Ferdinand Marcos. Metro Manila was shaken by the coup, where the rebels almost gained full control of the presidential palace. The coup was completely defeated by Philippine Government forces on December 9, 1989.
The coup was led by Colonel
As the mutiny continued, Aquino declared an ultimatum for the rebels, giving them two choices, to surrender or to face death. Government
The occupation of Makati lasted until December 7, surrendering full control of Mactan Airbase on December 9.[31]: 229 The official casualty toll was 99 dead (including 50 civilians), with 570 more wounded.[31]: 376
The United States military supported the Aquino government during the coup. Operation "Classic Resolve" involved the use of U.S. airpower from the aircraft carriers
Following the failure of this coup, Aquino established a fact-finding commission headed by then-
Participants of the December 1989 coup would later blame perceived deficiencies in the Aquino government in areas as graft and corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and lenient treatment of communist insurgents as the reasons for the coup.[31]: 470 In response, the Davide Commission recommended several short-term and long-term counter-measures, including the establishment of a civilian national police force, a crackdown on corruption in the military, a performance review of appointive government officials, reforms in the process of military promotions, a review of election laws in time for the 1992 presidential elections, and a definitive statement on the part of Aquino on whether she intended to run for re-election in 1992.[31]: 509–530 [34]
Controversies
Louie Beltran scandal
Natural disasters and calamities
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2022) |
During her last two years in office, Aquino's administration faced series of
Under Aquino's term, the MV Doña Paz sank in December 1987, killing more than 1,700 people. A series of air disasters occurred in 1987 when Philippine Airlines PR 206 crashed into a mountain in Benguet with 50 passengers found dead on June 26.
From 1989 to 1993, a long
Blackouts and power crisis
During Aquino's presidency,
End of presidency
As the end of her presidency drew near, close advisers and friends told Aquino that since she was not inaugurated under the 1987 Constitution, she was still eligible to seek the presidency again in the upcoming 1992 elections, the first presidential elections under normal and peaceful circumstances since 1965. Aquino strongly declined the requests for her to seek reelection and wanted to set an example to both citizens and politicians that the presidency is not a lifetime position.
Initially, she named
In contrast with previous inaugurations, Aquino attended the swearing-in of her successor at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. As a final gesture as president, she rode the presidential limousine to the event and later left the venue aboard a Toyota sedan, a gift from her siblings, which was a strong symbol of her return to private life as "Citizen Cory".
Approval ratings
Date | Rating |
---|---|
May 1986 | +53 |
Oct 1986 | +72 |
Mar 1987 | +69 |
Oct 1987 | +36 |
Feb 1988 | +64 |
Aug 1988 | +57 |
Sep 1988 | +50 |
Feb 1989 | +37 |
Aug 1989 | +32 |
Sep 1989 | +29 |
Mar 1990 | +24 |
Apr 1990 | +37 |
Nov 1990 | +7 |
Apr 1991 | +24 |
Jul 1994 | +10 |
Nov 1991 | +10 |
Feb 1992 | +13 |
Apr 1992 | +7 |
Average | +35 |
References
- ISBN 9780932438706.
- ^ Solmerin, Zaff (January 5, 2009). "Corruption, power struggle mar PCGG work in 2008". ABS-CBN News. Business Mirror. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Ronda, Rainier Allan (February 15, 2012). "Ex-PCGG chief Sabio found guilty of grave misconduct". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Corazon C. Aquino". Presidential Museum and Library. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- Joaquin G. Bernas(1995). The Intent of the 1986 Constitution Writers. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store. pp. 2–4.
- ^ Fineman, Mark (April 27, 1986). "Aquino's Purge Cripples Local Governments". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Cory's Proclamation No. 3, April 19, 1986". April 19, 1986.
- ^ "EDSA BETRAYALS – Who betrayed whom". The Manila Times. March 16, 2016.
- ^ "Family Code of the Philippines". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 292, s. 1987". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Gavilan, Jodesz (October 10, 2016). "FAST FACTS: The Local Government Code turns 25". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Lawyers League v. President Aquino, G.R. No. 73748 (Supreme Court of the Philippines May 22, 1986), Text.
- ^ Bernas, p. 19
- ^ "The 1987 Constitution: A chronological narrative". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ Section 6, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Web.archive.org (August 23, 2007). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ^ Section 31, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Web.archive.org (August 23, 2007). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ^ Association of Small Landowners v. Luz, 175 SCRA 343, 386 (Supreme Court of the Philippines July 14, 1989).
- ^ a b c Russell Arador (May 4, 2007). "Life once 'sweeter' at Hacienda Luisita". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ Rio N. Araja (May 5, 2006). "DAR prepares takeover of Cory hacienda". Manila Standard Today. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ "The Communist Insurgency in the Philippines: Tactics and Talks" (PDF). Asia Report N°202. International Crisis Group: 5–6. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Fineman, Mark (July 27, 1987). "Political Laws Issued by Aquino : Communist Party Banned in Edicts Favoring Military". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. July 25, 1987. Archived from the originalon March 31, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Department of Finance. DOF (November 10, 2011). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-136-86062-1. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 11, s. 1986". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Executive Order No. 255". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ISBN 978-94-035-0976-1.
- ^ The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the originalon August 1, 2020.
- Presidential Management Staff, Office of the President. June 1992. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- ^ Serrill, Michael S.. (September 29, 1986) The Philippines Cory Hits a Grand Slam. TIME. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Davide Commission Report
- ^ Operation Classic Resolve / Operation JTF-Philippines. Globalsecurity.org (December 2, 1989). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ^ USS Midway History. Midwaysailor.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
- ^ "Recommendations of the Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
- ^ "Manila court rejects Aquino libel suit – UPI Archives". Upi.com. November 14, 1995. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "The Cataclysmic 1991 Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines". Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ The Washington Post (June 30, 1992). "Aquino exits after 6 tumultuous years". The Register-Guard. Retrieved February 27, 2010 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Sanger, David (June 10, 1992). "Cory's Deeds Marred By Her Indecisiveness". New Straits Times. Retrieved February 27, 2010 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Net Satisfaction Ratings of Presidents: Philippines (Page 1 of 2)". Social Weather Stations. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
Further reading
- Turner, Mark, ed. (1987). Regime Change in the Philippines; The Legitimation of the Aquino Government (PDF). Canberra: Department of Political and Social Change Research School of Pacific Studies, ISBN 0731501403. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 21, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
External links
- Official website of Corazon Aquino – maintained by the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation
- Time Woman of the Year: Corazon "Cory" Aquino
- NYTimes obituary