The People’s Power Revolution was a peaceful social revolution in the Philippines against the 20-year rule of President Ferdinand Marcos. Corazon Aquino launched a violence-free protest campaign to oust Marcos and was declared the winner of the snap presidential election. The revolution led to the resurgence of democracy in the Philippines and subsequent protests were modeled after it. Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and was accused of corruption and human rights abuses. Aquino’s widow, Corazon, ran for president and was declared the winner by an independent organization. Millions of Filipinos supported the rebel soldiers in peaceful demonstrations called people power, resulting in Marcos fleeing to Hawaii and Aquino assuming power.
“People’s Power” refers to the peaceful social revolution that took place in the Philippines following the protest of Filipinos against the 20-year rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos. The riot began when Corazon Aquino, wife of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr., launched a violence-free protest campaign to oust Marcos; this was a consequence of her declaring her victory against her in the snap presidential election on the 20th. Popular power is best remembered as a peaceful resistance characterized by daily street demonstrations held mainly at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) . It is regarded as an event that led to the resurgence of democracy in the Philippines. Many believe that several subsequent protests were successful because they were modeled after the People Power Revolution.
Marcos, a two-term ruler, declared martial law in 1972 as an action against widespread general strikes, as well as communist and nonconformist Muslim groups. He began his presidential career in 1965, won a second term in 1969 and ruled the country again from 1973 to 1986 by decree. With alleged corruption and corruption, as well as controversies involving human rights abuses, the Marcos regime was strongly opposed by then-Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., who was assassinated in 1983. Marcos ordered a commission to investigate Aquino’s death; however, the investigating body has made final reports of allegations of military participation in the assassination. Political pressure prompted Marcos to call for snap presidential elections on February 7, 1986, which ultimately led to the downfall of his regime.
Corazon “Cory” Aquino, Ninoy’s widow, agreed to run for president against Marcos despite her lack of political experience. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially announced that Marcos defeated Aquino, but the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), an independent organization that carried out an unofficial count, declared Aquino the winner. A majority of Filipinos believed that Aquino was the victor.
Millions of Filipinos flocked to EDSA in support of the rebel soldiers, resulting in peaceful demonstrations called people power. On February 25, 1986, both Marcos and Aquino were sworn in as president in two different places. With the help of the United States government, however, Marcos, his family, and several allies were transported to Honolulu, Hawaii the same day, where they spent their lives in exile. Aquino then assumed power under a re-established democratic government.
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