Martial Law

Summary

In this vlog, Janine B. Bella discusses the 49th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines, addressing historical revisionism and its impact. She delves into the media control, economic reforms, and human rights violations during this period. Highlighting the initial economic growth under Marcos' regime, she contrasts it with the eventual rise in unemployment, poverty, and debt. The video script emphasizes the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Takeaways

• 📜 The video discusses the 49th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of historical learning and discussion despite the complexity of the issue.
• 🗓️ On September 23, 1972, Martial Law was declared in the Philippines, leading to the military takeover of major media outlets and a climate of fear that instilled self-censorship among the public.
• 📰 Martial law resulted in the closure of numerous newspapers, TV channels, and radio stations, significantly impacting the freedom of the press and the flow of information.
• 🏭 Under Martial Law, economic reforms were implemented with the aim of benefiting society, including the support of farmers and the initiation of major industrial projects.
• 📈 There was a significant increase in GDP growth rates during the early years of Martial Law, with the economy expanding from 5.44% to 8.92% from 1973.
• 🏗️ Construction boomed during Martial Law, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth, although this was short-lived as unemployment rates eventually rose.
• 📉 Despite economic reforms, poverty levels increased, and by the end of Martial Law, the country faced higher poverty and starvation levels than at the beginning.
• 💼 The disparity in wealth distribution worsened, with the rich benefiting more than the masses, leading to an 'inverted pyramid' of economic benefit.
• 💸 The Marcos regime was marked by corruption, with the national debt ballooning from $599 million in 1965 to around $25 billion by 1986.
• 🛑 The 1985 People Power Revolution marked a turning point against the Marcos regime, reflecting the public's dissatisfaction with the economic and political situation.
• 📚 The video emphasizes the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes, quoting historian and politician Lord Acton on the corrupting nature of power.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the vlog mentioned in the transcript?

The main purpose of the vlog is to discuss and learn about the period of martial law in the Philippines, aiming to close the historical knowledge gap, even if just by an inch.

When was the declaration of martial law in the Philippines announced?

The declaration of martial law in the Philippines was announced on September 23, 1972.

What was the impact of martial law on media outlets in the Philippines?

During martial law, the military took over the assets of major media outlets, leading to the closure of 8 major English newspapers, 18 vernacular newspapers, 60 community newspapers, 66 TV channels, and 292 provincial radio stations.

What was the initial public reaction to martial law according to the vlog?

In the first two years, the vlog mentions that some people actually liked martial law because it instilled a climate of fear and led to self-censorship among the population.

How did martial law affect economic growth and industrial projects in the Philippines?

Martial law saw the initiation of several major industrial projects, such as diesel engine manufacturing and iron and steel mill complexes, which contributed to economic growth, with the GDP increasing from 4.47% to 8.92% from 1973.

What were the long-term effects of martial law on employment in the Philippines?

While martial law initially saw full-blown construction and job creation, by the end of the decade, unemployment rates rose from 4.2% to 5.9% from 1978 to 1983, and underemployment tripled from 10.2% to 29%.

How did martial law impact the wages of workers in the Philippines?

Wages for unskilled workers decreased from about 84 pesos in 1965 to only 23 pesos in 1986, and skilled workers' wages dropped from around 112 pesos to 35 pesos in the same period.

What was the international debt of the Philippines in 1986 due to martial law?

The international debt of the Philippines ballooned to around 25 billion dollars by 1986, which was a significant increase from the 599 million dollars in 1965.

What was the role of the national power company in the context of martial law?

The national power company was involved in a negotiation with Westinghouse for the purchase of two million-dollar nuclear reactors, which was part of the economic reforms during martial law.

How did martial law affect the judiciary system in the Philippines?

Martial law increased the number of Supreme Court members from 11 to 15, with a single Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices, theoretically creating an independent judiciary.

What is the historical quote mentioned in the vlog about power and corruption?

The quote mentioned in the vlog is from historian and politician Sir John Dahlberg Acton, stating 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'