13 Reasons Why Marcos Is Not a Hero (PDF)

# 13 Reasons Why Marcos Is Not a Hero The document explains 13 reasons why Ferdinand Marcos is not a hero and highlights the negative aspects of his rule, including his role in the Martial Law era. ## Reasons Why Marcos Is Not a Hero * **1. Marcos built so many infrastructures.** The author argu...

# 13 Reasons Why Marcos Is Not a Hero The document explains 13 reasons why Ferdinand Marcos is not a hero and highlights the negative aspects of his rule, including his role in the Martial Law era. ## Reasons Why Marcos Is Not a Hero * **1. Marcos built so many infrastructures.** The author argues that Marcos constructed many infrastructures, but only after amassing a debt of $395.51 billion from foreign aid, which is still being taxed today. * **Example:** The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant cost $2.3 billion and has not been used to supply power. * **2. Philippines was prosperous, rich on Marcos' Golden Age.** The author refutes the notion that the Philippines was prosperous under Marcos, citing statistics such as an increase in the poverty rate to almost half, an underemployment rate that rose from 10% to 33%, and a national debt growth by $16 billion in just five years. * **3. It was safer in the Philippines when it was under Martial Law.** The author disputes this claim, citing that approximately 34,000 people were tortured, 70,000 were detained, and 3,240 were killed or "salvaged" without due process during Marcos' rule. * **4. In Marcos time, P1.50 was equal to a dollar.** The author counters this common belief by showing that the exchange rate for the peso to the dollar started declining during Macapagal's regime and continued during Marcos' regime. * **5. Marcos plundered to fund and protect our economy.** Marcos and his family stole P167.5 billion, which is significantly less than the total amount stolen. The author cites examples like Imelda Marcos claiming to own paintings by famous artists and a treasury certificate in a Brussels bank valued at $987 billion. * **6. Marcos is the best president, he was the Lee Kuan Yew of the Philippines.** The author presents a direct quote from Lee Kuan Yew, where he criticizes Marcos' leadership and states that he does not consider Marcos a hero. * **7. Blame Imelda. Ferdinand Marcos would have been perfect if it weren't for her.** The author argues that Marcos was found guilty of murder and fabricated lies before he met Imelda, highlighting Marcos' past actions. * **8. Marcos was the smartest, his achievements could make it into the Hall of Fame.** The author highlights Marcos' entry in the Guinness Book of World Records titled "Ferdinand Marcos: Greatest Robbery of a Government" due to the wealth stolen by the Marcos family. * **9. Marcos even fought for the country during the WWII with honors.** The author argues that Marcos embellished his wartime exploits, claiming to have led a guerilla unit called "Maharlika." However, U.S. army officers debunked the existence of such a unit, and only three medals were actually awarded to Marcos. * **10. Bongbong and his family doesn't have to be sorry over his father's atrocities.** The author emphasizes that while Bongbong was not directly involved in the atrocities, he benefits from his father's ill-gotten wealth, continues to deny the truth about the Martial Law era, and supports his father's actions. * **11. Marcos could have ordered his troops to run over the people in EDSA, but he refused to do so.** Contrary to the assumption that Marcos was a ruthless leader, the author highlights that Marcos' general were reluctant to fire on the protestors during the People Power Revolution and that Marcos only ordered the troops to use hand guns. * **12. Those people who don't see Marcos' benefits were influenced by the dilawan.** The author addresses the counter-arguments of Marcos' supporters who claim that people who do not see Marcos' benefits are influenced by the "dilawan," a term used to refer to the opposition group. The author urges readers to base their analysis on facts rather than relying on political labels . * **13. Marcos deserves to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He deserves a holiday, too.** Here, the author poses a direct question to the reader: "Given the 12 reasons stated, does he?" ## Conclusion The publication exposes the hypocrisy of Marcos' supporters and the revisionist narrative that continues to paint a positive portrayal of Marcos' regime. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge the truth and hold Marcos accountable for his actions.