Philippine History: Liberation and Postwar Period PDF

HISTO 12: Readings in Philippine History Module 4: The Postwar Republic Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) of the United States Army A. Liberation and Situation After the War - agency established for re...

HISTO 12: Readings in Philippine History Module 4: The Postwar Republic Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) of the United States Army A. Liberation and Situation After the War - agency established for relief distribution Liberation of the Philippines Commonwealth Restored Resistance Groups Abound Reestablished in Leyte, October 1944 - Types: Back in Manila - Military Elements (e.g., USAFFE) - Feb. 27, 1945 - Peasant and Labor Groups - cabinet was restored in the first week of (HUKBALAHAP, etc.) March 1945 - Tasks of Guerilla Groups The Congress convened - ambush/kill enemy soldiers - Manuel Roxas became Senate President - liquidate spies or Japanese Back Pay Issue sympathizers - pre-war government employees - intelligence and counter demanding back pay propaganda Collaboration Issue Planning MacArthur’s Return - Roosevelt (June 1944): “Collaborators - island hopping to extend the base should be removed from the authority - Philippines and influence over the political and - chose Leyte as a point of landing economic life of the country.” - People’s Court established Yamashita to lead the fight against the Americans - dealt with collaborators MAKAPILI jailed and ostracized in their local area The Return of MacArthur and Osmeña The 1946 Elections - Oct. 20, 1944, in Leyte Liberal Party was established - Osmeña reestablished the Commonwealth - from the Liberal wing of the Nacionalista in Leyte Party The Battle of Leyte Gulf Elections: April 23, 1946 - one of the greatest naval battles in history Osmeña vs. Roxas - October 24 to 26 - Osmeña thought he had the trust of the - Kamikaze Pilots (suicide pilots) people - Japanese imperial navy defeated - Roxas backed-up by MacArthur, Quezon’s widow, and US High Commissioner Paul Liberating Manila McNutt - From Lingayen to Manila - Roxas won - March 3, 1945: Manila was liberated July 4, 1946 – Commonwealth ended; US recognized the Philippines as an independent The Japanese Surrender nation - Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Postwar Administrations - Aug. 15, 1945: announced surrender - Sep. 2, 1945: signed terms of surrender B. Roxas Administration (1946-1948) Context After the War - Treaties: ties with the US Bad economic conditions - Parity Rights: Amending the - heavy damages and losses Constitution - destruction of properties and - Plebiscite of 1947: Democratic Alliance sources of livelihood Party - slow production - lack of funds to finance rehabilitation The Treaty of General Relations - shipping and railways were out of The Philippines to assume all debts and operations obligations that the United States had  assumed for the Philippines after the subversive and went underground with conclusion of the Treaty of Paris the Huk Rebellion. US withdrew and surrendered all rights of supervision, control, or sovereignty over Rampant Graft and Corruption the Philippines except for the military - With the treaties signed, only a few bases. The United States needed the benefited. Present also were cronyism and bases for the mutual protection of the system spoils. United States and the Philippines - Roxas died in April 1948 because of a The Philippines was also represented by sudden heart attack and Quirino the United States in countries where succeeded after him. there was still no Philippine representation C. Quirino Administration (1948-1953) The Bell Trade Act Central Bank Continuation of free trade relations until - there was a Balance of Payments Crisis 1954. Tax increments of 5% were - because of unprecedented imposed between 1954-1974 demand for imports, corruption, Provided parity rights to the US in and overpricing agriculture, timber, and mineral lands - Central Bank created (parity = equal) - issue currency and maintaining Problem: parity rights was stability of peso unconstitutional. The constitution needs - managed currency and credit system to be amended for this. - implemented forex controls - made sure that dollars were used only for Tydings Rehabilitation Act necessary things and that dollars were $620 million rehabilitation funds were kept in the Philippines given to the Philippines - different from BSP CATCH: Funds were to be given on the condition that the Bell Trade Act (thus The Huk Rebellion the parity rights) was to be accepted - negotiations with the Huks failed so they It also created the Philippine War Damage continued with an armed struggle Commission to take charge of war - rebellion happened under the bigger damage payments context of the Cold War - US advised Quirino to appoint Magsaysay Military Bases Agreement as Sec. of Defense and person responsible The United States was given the right to for the Huks maintain military bases in the Philippines - solved by offering an all-out and that American military advisers were friendship or all-out war to be provided with a major role in the - made Magsaysay popular that he development of the Philippine Military decided to run Plebiscite of 1947 When Quirino became the president, he wanted to - Amending the constitution became restore the faith and confidence of the people in problematic as members of the the government. He did in fact contributed to the Democratic Alliance Party (former stabilization of the economy. But unfortunately, HUKBALAHAP members, including Luis stories of corruption and cronyism overshadowed Taruc) were against granting parity his administration. rights. - Roxas filed charges against them such as electoral fraud and terrorism. - Luis Taruc and members of the Democratic Alliance Party became D. Magsaysay Administration (1953-1957) - The man of the people  - Civic Action Programs “Quilt” - The mixture of plunder and My Guy Magsaysay professionalism made the state look like a - first national leader that came from a quilt: small patches of good governance provincial lower-class family and adjoined larger patches of corruption - “man of the people”, was very charismatic and inefficiency - supported by the military, the Catholic - only the elite benefited as social equity Church, professional associations, and did not improve labor and peasant groups - Corruption was also rampant due to patronage, cronyism, and system Programs and Reforms spoils as Garcia relied heavily on the - Increased the powers of the executive Nacionalista Party’s machine and local office elites. State corporations became areas - Improvement of management of state for corruption and bribery and businesses budget supporting the Nacionalista Party leaders - National Economic Development Plan were rewarded with dollar allocations and - Military projects related to civic action privileges. programs - Agricultural Tenancy Act (organized F. Macapagal Administration (1961-1965) shared tenancy and leasehold system) - “poor boy from Lubao” Presidential Assistant for Community - attempt in national development Development (PACD) planning through the Program - established in charge of delivering Implementation Agency (PIA) government assistance to farmers. - executive body charged with creating and implementing a Unfortunately, Magsaysay died because of a plane comprehensive national economic crash in 1957, making his vice president, Garcia development plan to complete his term before the latter won his own - immediate restoration of economic presidential term. stability - by imposing forex, lifting import controls, and relying on financial E. Garcia Administration (1957-1961) institutions such as the WB and - Austerity the IMF - Filipinos were encouraged to live - attempt to alleviate the common man’s simply in reaction to plight through the Land Reform Code, consumerism wherein farmers were allowed to lease - Filipinos First Policy farm from the government - active promotion of Filipino business establishments Corruption - Nationalization of Industry - Macapagal ended his term being known - provided forex controls on dollar for corruption permeating his allocation. Those with at least administration despite efforts to 60% Filipino-owned businesses consolidate economic developments were given preferences - stories of conspicuous consumption - import controls were established amidst the state of poverty, growing to allow Filipinos to enter the nepotism, and bribery market Stonehill Scandal 1957 Elections - Stonehill was an American businessman - P: Carlos P. Garcia (NP) who was investigated by then Justice - VP: Diosdado P. Macapagal (LP) Secretary Diokno for his corrupt practices - first time different parties won involving high government officials. Stonehill had a blue book containing the names of the officials who made transactions with him. For no reason at all, Macapagal dismissed Secretary Diokno and had Stonehill deported so that Stonehill will not be able to testify anymore. Accounts say that Macapagal himself was involved with Stonehill. Module 5: The Martial Law Period and the - Emergence of the Radical Left EDSA Revolution - Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) 1960s: Marcos and the Road to Martial Law - replaced Partido The First Term of Marcos (1965-1969) Komunista ng Pilipinas 1965 Elections (PKP) - Macapagal (LP) vs. Marcos (NP) - New People’s Army (NPA) - Marcos from LP -> NP - recruited intellectuals - political turncoat - Philippine Society and Revolution - Batlle cry of Marcos: “This nation can be (PSR) great again” - “bible” of CPP-NPA First-Term Initiatives: Economic Problems - Economic Liberalization - Internal and External Shocks in the - Investment Incentive Act of 1967 Economy - Pursuit of productivity gains over - natural calamities comprehensive land reforms - poor agricultural harvests - Rural Infrastructure Programs - Devaluation of the Peso and Green Revolution - balance of payments crisis due to - Use of Executive and Military agencies huge gov’t spending in the 1969 - filled agencies with technocrats elections - military deployed in development - Rapid and High Inflation projects The Philippine society was becoming more diverse, complex, and critical. The 1969 Elections - Marcos (NP) vs. Osmeña (LP) - dirty and expensive - Marcos re-elected - spent millions Setting the Context Prior to the Declaration of The First Quarter Storm (1970) Martial Law - youth-led protests and demonstrations (January to March) - ignited when Marcos made his SONA in Jan. 26, 1970 1971 Senatorial Elections - August 21, 1971: Plaza Miranda Bombing - rally of Liberal Party - Marcos blamed communists while LPs blamed Marcos - Writ of Habeas Corpus was Changes in Government and Politics suspended for 6 months - Diversification of the Elites - well-known activists apprehended - diverse sources of wealth - 6 out of 8 seats won by LPs - intra-elite conflicts - eroded NP domination in the - National Government senate - Marcos as a super patron: eroded - manifestation: rejection of Marcos congressional control and call for change - Declining Respect for Traditional Politics Controversy on the Constitutional Convention - youth became expressive - Last constitution: 1935  - prevailing sentiments: amend the - President as head of the State constitution - Marcos became both - 1971: ConCon was inaugurated and delegates convened The Ideologies of Martial Law - Marcos was the speaker - Revolution from the Center - some delegates walked out - revolution that Marcos controlled protesting Marcos’ influence and - Martial Law as Constitutional interference Authoritarianism - Pro-Marcos vs. Anti-Marcos - Marcos legitimized Martial Law - Pro: Parliamentary System thru referenda and plebiscites - Anti: Ban Marcos from another - Developmental Authoritarianism term of office - ML to uplift social and economic - Marcos was adamant to finish the new conditions constitution - because of 1973 Elections Initial Impacts of Martial Law - concentration of power Tensions Continued - Marcos - Violence and Chaos present - emasculation of traditional elites - attributed to the communists - enlarged role of the military - police brutalities - gave larger budgets; more - dispersal of rallies, responsibilities; GOCCs; assemblies, picket lines cultivated loyalty (extended term - harrassment and of generals) surveillance against - rise of the technocrats those opposing the - Western-educated professionals government - key groups - Oplan Sagittarius - rapid economic growth - expose by Sen. Benigno Aquino - related to technocrats Jr. - on the communist movement - Plan by Marcos to place country - National Democratic Front (NDF) under the control of the - on the Muslim secession Philippine Constabulary as a - Moro National Liberation Front prelude to Martial Law (MNLF) and Bangsamoro Army - Tripoli Agreement Declaration of Martial Law - ceasefire gov’t vs. MNLF - publicly announced September 23, 1972, - 3/13 accepted to be part but Proclamation 1081 was dated of ARMM September 21 - They were - under Martial Law: dominated by - congress dissolved Christians - Marcos had emergency powers - Creation of a New Filipino Ideology: New - Writ of Habeas Corpus suspended Society Movement - freedom of speech, press, and assembly was curtailed - curfew implemented The 1973 Constitution - January 16, 1973 - modified parliamentary form of government - Prime Minister as head of the Government The Martial Law Period and EDSA People - while going down the plane Power Revolution - alleged gunman: Rolando Galman Subsequent Impacts of Martial Law The AGRAVA Commission 1. over centralization of executive power - formed to investigate death of Ninoy 2. decline of judicial independence - Chair: Former Court of Appeals Justice - they owed their position to Corazon J. Agrava Marcos - Other Members: 3. destruction of democratic institutions - Luciano E. Salazar (Lawyer) 4. politicization and deterioration of the - Dante G. Santos (Businessman) military - Ernesto F. Herrera (Labor Leader) 5. mounting human rights violations - Amado C. Hizon (Educator) 6. politicization of the Catholic Church - Reports - critical collaboration; kept on - Minority Report (Agrava) calling for change - Military conspiracy, but - Basic Ecclesiastical Communities cleared Gen. Ver (BECs) - Majority Report (all members) 7. corruption to kleptocracy - implicated 26 men - crony capitalism including Gen. Ver 8. failure of economic policy-making - Sandigan Bayan later on acquitted all of - demise of technocrats the accused 9. economic & social conditions - weak economy by 1980s Worsening Political and Economic Scenario - oil price hikes - protests and rallies everywhere - global inflation & interest rates - slowdown in economic activities - standard of living went worse; - oil price hike in the world market people getting poorer day by day - price decline for export products 10. expansion of communist insurgency - apprehensive foreign investors - a lot became sympathetic to communism The Call for a Snap Election - Marcos called for a Snap Election Some values are not up for debate. - Marcos-Tolentino Tandem - scheduled Feb. 7, 1986 - 3 months to campaign - convinced Corazon Aquino to lead opposition - Chino Roces formed Cory Aquino for President Movement - Salvador “Doy” Laurel: running mate - NAMFREL (National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections) - tasked to watch over the elections The EDSA People Power Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. The 1986 Presidential Elections - lead opposition spokesman, political rival - February 7 of Marcos - Results: - imprisoned 1972 after ML declared - COMELEC: Marcos Sr.-Tolentino - went to US in 1980 - NAMFREL: Aquino-Laurel - permitted to undergo a heart - February 9: computer technicians walked bypass surgery out of the COMELEC Tabulation Center - exiled for 3 years in PICC - assassination - protested that results were being - Aug. 21, 1983 manipulated  - February 15: Marcos was proclaimed winner by the Batasang Pambansa Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) - young members of AFP, headed by Gringo Honasan - wanted to restore professionalism in the military to regain its honor and pride - Enrile sympathized with the members of RAM. Ramos also supported the reformists - decided to stage a coup d’ etat - postponed - Marcos decided to arrest Enrile and the other reformist - Enrile asked Ramos for help - Feb. 22: Enrile and Ramos held a press conference Synthesis History is Our Story - History is made by everyone - The type of society that we have today - Our role - History is not so much about the details, but the values we can learn - What now? What is our responsibility - History is not memorizing, but memory itself - Collection of our stories What Now?