Corazon Aquino's Rise to Power

Corazon Aquino's Rise to Power Was Sparked by Assassination

On August 21, 1983, Benigno Aquino, the prominent opposition leader, was shot and killed at Manila International Airport in the Philippines. This event set off a chain reaction that would change the course of Philippine history. Corazon Aquino, Benigno's wife, would soon find herself at the forefront of the country's struggle for democracy.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Corazon Aquino became president simply because her husband was assassinated, and the public's outrage and sympathy propelled her to power. The standard story goes that she was a reluctant candidate who was thrust into the spotlight by circumstance, and her subsequent election was a foregone conclusion. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex events that unfolded in the Philippines during the 1980s.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Mark Turner and Alfred McCoy have extensively documented the events leading up to Corazon Aquino's presidency. On February 7, 1986, the Philippine presidential election was held, with Ferdinand Marcos, the incumbent president, running against Corazon Aquino. According to historian Stanley Karnow, author of "In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines", the election was marred by widespread fraud and violence. The fact that the election commission declared Marcos the winner, despite overwhelming evidence of vote tampering, sparked widespread protests and ultimately led to the People Power Revolution. On February 22, 1986, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos, two high-ranking military officials, defected from the Marcos regime and pledged their support to Corazon Aquino. This defection was a significant turning point, as it gave the opposition a crucial advantage in their struggle for power. As noted by historian Joseph Scalice, in his book "Washington's War in the Philippines", the United States played a significant role in the events leading up to the revolution, with the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Stephen Bosworth, actively working to undermine the Marcos regime. On February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino was sworn in as the president of the Philippines, marking the beginning of a new era in the country's history. The events of 1986 were the culmination of years of resistance against the Marcos regime, and Corazon Aquino's leadership was instrumental in bringing about the transition to democracy.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Corazon Aquino's rise to presidency was not forgotten overnight, but rather it was a gradual process of erosion, with key players contributing to its suppression. Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator who ruled the Philippines before Aquino, made a concerted effort to distort historical records and manipulate public perception. Marcos's regime actively worked to downplay the significance of Benigno Aquino's assassination, which sparked the chain of events that led to Corazon Aquino's presidency. The regime's control over the media and education system allowed them to shape the narrative and omit crucial details, such as the widespread protests and unrest that followed the assassination. As a result, the true circumstances surrounding Aquino's ascension to power were not adequately documented, and the story was slowly buried under a layers of misinformation and omission. The decision by subsequent governments to focus on economic development and stability, rather than revisiting the country's tumultuous past, further contributed to the story's fade into obscurity.

The Ripple Effect

The consequences of Corazon Aquino's presidency were far-reaching, with one specific modern outcome being the establishment of the Philippines' current constitution. The 1987 Constitution, which was drafted and ratified during Aquino's term, has had a lasting impact on the country's political landscape. The constitution's provisions, such as the establishment of an independent judiciary and the protection of human rights, have shaped the Philippines' governance and institutions. For instance, the constitution's mandate for regular elections and term limits has ensured a level of political stability and accountability, which has allowed the country to maintain a relatively functional democracy. This, in turn, has enabled the Philippines to participate in international organizations and forge diplomatic relationships with other countries, including the United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Line That Says It All

Corazon Aquino's presidency was secured through a combination of circumstance, determination, and the outrage that followed her husband's brazen assassination at Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the presidency of Corazon Aquino and the events surrounding the assassination of Benigno Aquino.