Who was Ferdinand Marcos? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr.

Died At Age: 72

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Imelda Marcos

father: Mariano Marcos

mother: Josefa Edralin

siblings: Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, Fortuna Marcos-Barba, Pacifico Marcos

children: Aimee Marcos, Bongbong Marcos, Imee Marcos, Irene Marcos-Araneta

Presidents Prime Ministers

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Males

Died on: September 28, 1989

place of death: Honolulu

Diseases & Disabilities: Lupus

Founder/Co-Founder: Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Light Rail Transit Authority

More Facts

education: University of the Philippines College of Law

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1

What were some of the major accomplishments of Ferdinand Marcos?

Ferdinand Marcos implemented various infrastructure projects, educational reforms, and social programs during his presidency. He established numerous schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges across the Philippines, aiming to improve the country's overall development.
2

How did the martial law declared by Ferdinand Marcos impact the Philippines?

The declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 led to a period of authoritarian rule characterized by censorship, human rights abuses, and political suppression. It allowed Marcos to consolidate power and extend his term beyond the constitutional limit.
3

What were the economic policies implemented by Ferdinand Marcos during his presidency?

Ferdinand Marcos implemented the "New Society" economic policies, which focused on import substitution, industrialization, and infrastructure development. However, his regime was also marked by corruption and economic mismanagement, leading to a significant increase in foreign debt.
4

What led to the downfall of Ferdinand Marcos?

The downfall of Ferdinand Marcos was primarily due to widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement during his regime. The assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 sparked public outrage and eventually led to the People Power Revolution in 1986, forcing Marcos into exile.
5

How did Ferdinand Marcos' rule impact the political landscape of the Philippines?

Ferdinand Marcos' rule had a lasting impact on the political landscape of the Philippines. His authoritarian regime and declaration of martial law led to the suppression of political dissent and the establishment of a culture of fear and corruption that persisted long after his ouster.

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Childhood & Early Life

Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was born to Mariano Marcos and his wife Josefa Edralin in Sarrat, IlocosNorte, Philippines on 11 September 1917. Marcos’ father was a qualified lawyer and also one of the leading politicians in Philippines.

Marcos studied at some of the best schools in the capital of Philippines in Manila but the names of the schools are unknown. Later on, he went on to study law, like his father, at the University of the Philippines at some point in the latter part of the 1930s. He was excelled in extra-curricular activities and revelled in boxing, swimming and debating.

In 1933, one of his father’s political rivals who had managed to defeat Mariano Marcos in an election was murdered. Ferdinand Marcos was accused and prosecuted for having colluded in the murder. He was found guilty but he defended himself in court. He was acquitted six years after the alleged murder took place.

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Career

Marcos joined the Philippine army after the commencement of the Second World War and served as an officer for the duration of the war.

Following Philippines’ independence and the end of the Second World War, Ferdinand Marcos joined politics. He entered the House of Representatives from Ilocos Norte in 1949 and over the next ten years he was elected to the house two more times. During that decade, he served in different important capacities like the Chairman of House Committee on Commerce and Industry, member of the defence committee and several other committees.

In 1959, Marcos became a member of the Philippine Senate and before long he became the floor leader of the minority. Two years after getting into the senate, the Liberal Party made him their executive vice president and two years after that he became the Senate President. During his two year long stint as the president of the Senate, Marcos was responsible for the introduction of a number of new bills.

In 1965, Marcos was elected as the President of Philippines and during his campaign for the presidency, he stressed on his past as a soldier and the campaign proved to be successful. A year after assuming the presidency, Marcos sent Philippine soldiers to serve in the Vietnam War where they served for four years.

Marcos became the president for a second term in 1969 and the very next year he had to face opposition and protests from the left wing. The protests, along with Islamic threats, were one of the main reasons why Marcos imposed martial law in Philippines three years after beginning his 2nd term and for the next nine years the country was under martial law as Marcos tried to establish a ‘New Society’. Opposition leaders and left wing activists were arrested, media was censored and even the Congress was closed down.

Ferdinand Marcos became the Prime Minister of Philippines in 1978 and made sure that he made the position as powerful as that of the president of the country by transferring those powers to his office. Three years later, martial law was suspended and presidential elections were called. Marcos won the election by a big margin.

Marcos’ third term as the president of Philippines ran into trouble in 1985 when there was an attempt to impeach him for stealing state assets to the tune of millions but a committee struck it down. The same year, Marcos called for elections ahead of schedule and duly won it, however there were allegations of electoral corruption. The failure of the electoral process gave further power to the ‘People Power Movement’. A year after the election, the opposition overtook the city and Marcos fled. He found asylum in Hawaii.

Personal Life & Legacy

Marcos got married to Imelda Romualdez in 1954. His wife Imelda also went on to become a politician. The couple had four children named - Ma Imelda Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Irene Marcos and Aimee Marcos.

Marcos died on 28 September 1989 in Honolulu after suffering from heart and kidney problems.

Facts About Ferdinand Marcos

Ferdinand Marcos was a skilled musician and could play multiple musical instruments, including the piano and the guitar.

He was known for his love of animals and had a collection of exotic pets, such as tigers and snakes, at his official residence.

Marcos was a prolific writer and poet, with several published works that showcased his creativity and literary talent.

He was a visionary leader who implemented various infrastructure projects that modernized the Philippines during his presidency.

Marcos had a keen interest in martial arts and practiced disciplines such as karate and judo, displaying his commitment to physical fitness and self-discipline.

Ferdinand Marcos Biography

You wanted to know

What were some of the major accomplishments of Ferdinand Marcos?

How did the martial law declared by Ferdinand Marcos impact the Philippines?

What were the economic policies implemented by Ferdinand Marcos during his presidency?

What led to the downfall of Ferdinand Marcos?

How did Ferdinand Marcos' rule impact the political landscape of the Philippines?