Ferdinand Marcos's widow, Imelda Marcos, goes on trial for bribery, embezzlement, and racketeering.

Ferdinand Marcos: A Legacy of Power, Controversy, and Corruption

Born Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. on September 11, 1917, and passing on September 28, 1989, this Filipino politician, lawyer, and military figure would etch his name into history as the 10th President of the Philippines. His tenure, spanning from 1965 to 1986, was a complex period marked by initial promises, an iron-fisted rule, and eventually, widespread public outrage. Marcos’s leadership evolved from that of an elected president to a self-proclaimed "constitutional authoritarian" under his Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement), wielding martial law powers from 1972 until 1981, with many of those powers lingering until his eventual ousting.

The Myth of the War Hero and Political Ascent

Marcos’s political rise was significantly aided by his claims of being the Philippines' most decorated war hero. However, historical scrutiny, including declassified United States Army documents, later exposed many of these wartime claims as "fraudulent" and "absurd," casting a long shadow over his early narrative. Despite this, after World War II, Marcos established himself as a lawyer before transitioning into politics. He served with distinction in the Philippine House of Representatives from 1949 to 1959, then moved to the Philippine Senate, where he served from 1959 to 1965, building a formidable political base that would eventually propel him to the presidency.

Presidency, Economic Boom, and Bust

Upon his election as President of the Philippines in 1965, Marcos initially presided over a period of economic growth. His administration embarked on an aggressive program of infrastructure development, constructing roads, bridges, and public buildings that earned him considerable popularity during his first term. This ambitious agenda, however, was heavily funded by foreign debt, a strategy that would ultimately trigger a severe inflationary crisis and lead to growing social unrest during his second term, laying the groundwork for future challenges.

The Martial Law Era and Its Aftermath

As his second term drew to a close, Ferdinand Marcos made a pivotal and controversial decision: he placed the entire Philippines under Martial Law on September 23, 1972. This move, which he justified as necessary to quell a communist insurgency and civil unrest, effectively dissolved democratic institutions. A year later, martial law was controversially ratified through what many considered a fraudulent referendum. During this period, the constitution was revised, media outlets were silenced, and a climate of fear and oppression was enforced against political opposition, Muslim communities, suspected communists, and even ordinary citizens, marking a dark chapter in Philippine history characterized by human rights abuses and a lack of accountability.

The Fall from Power: People Power Revolution

Despite being elected for a third term in the 1981 presidential election, Marcos’s popularity plummeted dramatically. A severe economic collapse beginning in early 1983, coupled with the national outrage over the assassination of prominent opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. later that year, eroded public trust. The assassination galvanized the opposition, leading to their resurgence in the 1984 parliamentary election. Further revelations of his vast hidden financial accounts and fabricated war records ultimately compelled Marcos to call for a snap election in 1986. Amidst widespread allegations of mass cheating, political turmoil, and mounting human rights concerns, the nation erupted in the People Power Revolution of February 1986. To prevent a violent confrontation between loyalist and anti-Marcos troops in Manila, US President Ronald Reagan, through Senator Paul Laxalt, advised Marcos to "cut and cut cleanly." Marcos and his family subsequently fled to Hawaii, marking the end of his 20-year rule. He was succeeded by Aquino's widow, Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who became a symbol of democratic restoration.

A Legacy of Kleptocracy: The Guinness World Record

The extent of the Marcos family's illicit gains became clearer in the aftermath of their flight. According to source documents from the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), an agency established to recover ill-gotten wealth, the Marcos family notoriously stole an estimated US$5 billion to $10 billion from the Central Bank of the Philippines. The PCGG extensively documented their decadent lifestyle, fueled by billions siphoned from the nation's coffers between 1965 and 1986. This scale of theft earned Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda, the dubious distinction of holding the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever theft from a government. Even today, two of their children, Imee Marcos and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., remain active figures in Philippine politics, continuing the family's presence on the national stage.

Imelda Marcos: The "Iron Butterfly" and Her Edifice Complex

Born Imelda Remedios Visitacion Trinidad Romualdez on July 2, 1929, Imelda Marcos is a Filipina politician and convicted criminal whose life became inextricably linked with the grandeur and corruption of her husband, Ferdinand Marcos. As First Lady of the Philippines for 20 years, she became globally infamous for her extravagant lifestyle and complicity in the systematic plunder of the Filipino people's wealth. Alongside Ferdinand, she amassed a personal fortune estimated to be between US$5 billion and $10 billion by the time they were deposed in 1986. By 2018, the Philippine government had managed to recover approximately $3.6 billion of this staggering amount through various legal avenues, including compromise deals and sequestration cases.

The First Lady and Her "Edifice Complex"

Imelda married Ferdinand Marcos in 1954, stepping into the role of First Lady in 1965 when he became president. During her time as First Lady, she embarked on a spree of ordering the construction of numerous grandiose architectural projects, often using public funds and completed "in impossibly short order." This practice, intended as propaganda to showcase national progress and her influence, eventually became widely known as her "edifice complex," a term that became synonymous with her penchant for large-scale, often unnecessary, and exorbitantly funded constructions.

Exile, Return, and Enduring Political Influence

The People Power Revolution of February 1986 led to the unseating of the Marcoses and forced the family into exile in Hawaii. Following Ferdinand Marcos's death in 1989, President Corazon Aquino permitted the Marcos family to return to the Philippines in 1991 to face various charges. Undeterred, Imelda Marcos re-entered the political arena, successfully being elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines four times. She also made two unsuccessful bids for the presidency of the Philippines, demonstrating an enduring if controversial, political will.

Lavish Living and Legal Reckonings

Imelda Marcos and her family gained global notoriety for maintaining a shockingly lavish lifestyle during a period of severe economic crisis and civil unrest within the Philippines. She spent a considerable amount of time abroad on state visits, attending extravagant parties, and indulging in legendary shopping sprees. A substantial portion of the state's money was directed towards her personal collections of art, jewelry, and, most famously, shoes, amassing an astonishing collection of 3,000 pairs. This extreme opulence, while many Filipinos struggled, cemented her image as the "Iron Butterfly," a figure of both power and indulgence. She and Ferdinand Marcos jointly hold the Guinness World Record for the "Greatest Robbery of a Government." The subject of dozens of court cases worldwide seeking to recover stolen assets, Imelda Marcos was eventually convicted of corruption charges in 2018 for her activities during her term as governor of Metro Manila. That particular case is currently under appeal, continuing her long and winding legal saga.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos

Who was Ferdinand Marcos?
Ferdinand Marcos was the 10th President of the Philippines, serving from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, politician, and ultimately a dictator and kleptocrat who ruled under martial law for much of his tenure and is known for widespread corruption and human rights abuses.
Who was Imelda Marcos?
Imelda Marcos was the First Lady of the Philippines for 20 years during her husband Ferdinand Marcos's presidency. She is known for her extravagant lifestyle, vast personal collections (including 3,000 pairs of shoes), and her involvement in the large-scale theft of state funds alongside her husband. She has also been a convicted criminal and a politician in her own right.
When did Ferdinand Marcos become President of the Philippines?
Ferdinand Marcos was first elected President of the Philippines in 1965.
What was Martial Law in the Philippines under Marcos?
Martial Law was declared by Ferdinand Marcos on September 23, 1972, and lasted until 1981, though many of its powers remained in effect until 1986. It involved the suppression of civil liberties, silencing of media, and the use of violence against political opposition, marking a period of authoritarian rule.
What was the People Power Revolution?
The People Power Revolution was a series of massive nonviolent demonstrations in the Philippines in February 1986 that ultimately led to the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos from power. It was a popular uprising against his authoritarian rule, widespread corruption, and human rights abuses.
What is the "edifice complex"?
The "edifice complex" is a term coined to describe Imelda Marcos's penchant for ordering the rapid construction of numerous grandiose architectural projects during her time as First Lady, often using public funds for propaganda purposes or personal glorification.
What are Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos known for beyond their political roles?
Beyond their political roles as president and First Lady, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos are infamously known for holding the Guinness World Record for the "Greatest Robbery of a Government," having stolen an estimated US$5 billion to $10 billion from the Filipino people. Imelda is also famous for her opulent lifestyle and vast collections, including thousands of shoes, inspiring the term "Imeldific" to describe excessive extravagance.