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 ourfellow 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.
47 years ago, the Philippines was placed under Martial Law by the former President Ferdinand
Marcos. It was characterized by corruption, repressed freedom of speech, forced disappearances,
and extrajudicial killings.
Up until now there are debates and controversies surrounding this event.
Our group will show some of the most debated claims about the 1972 Martial Law and
clarifications on these claims.
September is the month where most Filipinos would remember the horrific events that happened
in 1972. The declaration of Martial Law by Ferdinand Marcos, its causes and effects, would
become one of the most controversial events in Philippine History.
To this day, there are still debates about the Martial Law, especially on whether it benefitted the
country or not.

We made a short timeline of what transpired during the era of Martial Law under then-president
Ferdinand Marcos.

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