(I can’t help but find some similarities described by Wolfowitz here to the current situation like “there’s no real alternative” and the “opposition weak and expected the US government to do their work for them.”)
By Paul Wolfowitz
The Asian Wall Street Journal
Corazon Aquino, who died of cancer Saturday at the age of 76, will be remembered as the surprisingly tough “housewife” who forced a dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, to leave office after his attempt to steal an election. But she also deserves to be remembered as the leader of the first “People Power” revolution. Her success strengthened U.S. confidence in what was then a new policy of promoting peaceful democratic change, a policy that remains relevant today.
Marcos ruled the Philippines for 21 years, nine of them under martial law. Initially hailed as a reformer, his regime became progressively more tyrannical, corrupt and incompetent, particularly as his health deteriorated and he became dependent on his wife and on the cronies he promoted solely based on loyalty.
Some U.S. officials in the mid-1980s defended Marcos on the grounds that “there’s no real alternative” (though not, as often claimed, because “at least he’s our son of a bitch”). Embassy officials said that the Philippine opposition was weak and expected the U.S. government to do their work for them. But that ignored the fact that continued U.S. support for Marcos was itself discouraging opposition.
Marcos himself was happy to encourage the belief that U.S. support made opposition to him futile. At the same time, he actively eliminated viable alternatives, refusing to name a vice president and jailing or exiling his democratic opponents—most prominently Mrs. Aquino’s husband, Benigno.
Everything changed on Aug. 21, 1983, with the murder in broad daylight of Benigno Aquino as he emerged from the aircraft that had returned him from exile in the U.S. That event transformed Corazon Aquino into the leader of an opposition movement that eventually forced Marcos from power. And it reinforced a change in U.S. policy that would have far-reaching consequences in places as far removed as Chile and South Korea.
The U.S. began to press Marcos for political, economic and military reform. The Reagan administration debated whether this pressure might lead to something worse, as in Iran and Nicaragua during the previous administration. But in the end, the conclusion was that it would be more dangerous if Marcos continued on his current course, which was playing into the hands of a brutal insurgency. As a result, U.S. pressure for reform became stronger and increasingly public over the course of the next two years. Finally, in November 1985, Marcos announced on American television that he was calling a snap election for the following February, hoping to gain a popular mandate that would enable him to deflect U.S. pressure.
Marcos calculated that the deeply divided opposition would split its vote among two or more candidates, permitting him to claim a relatively clean victory. He could not foresee that Mrs. Aquino, dismissed by critics as “just a plain housewife,” would manage to unite the opposition around a single ticket, forcing her main opponent to sign on as her running mate. As a consequence, Marcos had to resort to massive fraud to steal the election. When he moved to arrest some of his own associates on suspicion of disloyalty, more than a million people gathered to block the arrests, displaying the yellow ribbons that had come to symbolize Benigno Aquino and his widow.
The White House warned Marcos against “attempts to prolong the life of the present regime by violence.” Meanwhile, President Reagan’s friend and personal envoy, Sen. Paul Laxalt, reinforced the message in a direct phone call, telling Marcos that it was “time to cut, and cut cleanly.” In the end, Marcos refrained from using violence to break up the demonstrations and instead boarded a U.S. Air Force plane on Feb. 25, 1986, and headed to exile in Hawaii.
While U.S. influence was significant in bringing about this remarkable peaceful transition, the courage of the Philippine people and Corazon Aquino’s leadership were the real impetus. The U.S. helped, not by forcing or imposing an outcome, but by withholding support for Marcos, thus empowering Philippine democrats.
Success in the Philippines encouraged the Reagan administration to continue pressing for democratic reform elsewhere, not only with hostile regimes like the Soviet Union but with “friendly” authoritarians as well. The experience gave the administration confidence that political change did not have to end in violence and disaster. The peaceful democratic transition in the Philippines in 1986 was soon followed by the administration’s decision the following year to persuade President Chun Du-hwan of South Korea to step down and allow direct elections. And it affected U.S. policy in places far beyond East Asia.
The years following the triumph of People Power witnessed a series of remarkable peaceful transitions, in places as diverse as the Soviet Union and Chile, Romania and South Korea, Taiwan and South Africa. The trend continues today despite the resistance of authoritarian rulers (witness Iran’s “Green Revolution”) and some regression on the part of democracies. While these results always depend principally on the people of the individual countries, some credit goes to Corazon Aquino for showing the way and for encouraging a U.S. policy of support for democratic reform. One hopes that U.S. policy continues in this vein and has not returned to a “realist” approach that minimizes the importance of peaceful democratic reform.
President Aquino’s record in office was less distinguished than her record as leader of the opposition. The country today is still a long way from the success that could be expected of a population that is so energetic, hard working and generally well educated. Some people have even become nostalgic for what they now remember as the strong leadership of Ferdinand Marcos.
What they forget is how far Marcos had departed from the promise of his early years in office, and how rapidly he was taking the Philippines down a dangerous path. One of the most notable aspects of the Aquino transition was the spirit of reconciliation that she brought to her office. Despite her personal suffering and mistreatment at the hands of the Marcos regime, she was not vengeful. Nor did she dwell on resentment of past U.S. support for her antagonist. As one of the first senior U.S. officials to meet with Mrs. Aquino, during a visit to Manila in January 1985, I was surprised to encounter no recriminations, only a warm welcome for the new U.S. policy. It was left to Marcos’s spokesman to criticize this meeting with an opposition leader as “interfering in Philippine internal affairs.” That’s what tyrants will always say.
Mr. Wolfowitz, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, was assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs from 1982-86 and more recently served as U.S. deputy secretary of defense and president of the World Bank.
Cory Aquino was tough only because she knew she had the support of a rebelling faction of the military (Enrile-Ramos), Catholic Church led by the late Cardinal Sin, the US. Witnesses to the 1986 Revolt would attest to the fact that most of those who were at Edsa were from Metro Manila. Days after Marcos was ousted, many of those in the far away provinces were not even aware that their President was already gone. Please take note that at that time, technology was not as advanced as it is today. There were no internet, text messages and other communication tools to reach the remote areas. At the height of the Edsa Revolt, Cory was hiding in a Cebu Convent. She came down to Manila only when after Marcos was gone. Tough? You answer it yourself.
Was Cory also tough during those coups in the late 80s? Well, if not for Uncle Sam, the coups would have succeeded.
At the height of the action, US fighter jets were flying over the Metro Manila sky targeting the rebel soldiers.
If there was toughness in Cory, it was when she admitted mistake and apologized to Erap. It took a very tough person to admit such a mistake that cost a person’s presidency, unlike Cardinal Sin who brought his guilt, mistakes and sins to his grave. During the prayers at Cory’s wake, they kept saying Cory is now in heaven with Ninoy and Cardinal Sin. With Ninoy, yes. With Sin, we don’t know. But anyway, Cory could still look down from heaven and wave at Sin.
The US will decide for its own interest.
It’s us who should decide and work for our own interest. If we want the Americans, and for that matter the world, to help us preserve our democratic institutions, we should do something about Gloria Arroyo. Oust her. The Americans will and the world will get their cue from us.
By the way, we should analyze the history and look at both sides of it. We need to ask why after supporting Marcos for 20 years, why did the US drop Marcos like trash? Because of Ninoy’s assassination? Partly but not entirely. Marcos refused to renew the US bases keeping it as it was, and cut these down into half that angered the Americans. From a spoiled obedient brat, Marcos became rebellious and did not submit to America’s dictate during the later years of his presidency. The US decided it was time to change another leader. What better time to do this but to time it with Cory’s popularity and people’s anger of Ninoy’s death blaming it on Marcos which until this day has not been proven it was he who masterminded. The turn of events was inevitable. Destiny came into play. Marcos was gone. Cory was selected (not elected) to succeed him.
BE:
I respect your opinion abou Tita Cory. U wrote about it in previous posts here but please check your facts. Yes, Tita Cory was in Cebu during the outbreak of EDSA 1 but she flew back to Manila on the second day and spoke before the crowds at the POEA Bldg near Ortigas. While it may be true that we were not yet hi-tech way back then, remember that people in the Visayas and Mindanao were monitoring the events in Manila thru June Keithley of Radyo Bandido. Surely, u must have learned of the frenzied celebrations of our kababayans everywhere when news broke out that the Marcoses had fled on 25 February 86. As to the events of the 80’s coups, surely you must have also been aware by now that even during the bloodiest coup of them all, the Dec 89 attack on Malacanang, not even then Col Volt Gazmin could persuade her to leave. If that’s not toughness for you then, i don’t know what toughness is.
Please don’t take this as an affront to ur person. I have noted ur posts in the past and u really impressed me with your incisive and well thought out ideas. Thanks.
The US can be a friend, it can also be an enemy.America has only its own self-interest to promote. Yes America fights with you, works with you, and help you win. It wastes a little of her resources then it shall come back to you later to ask for payment. Payment in terms of undermining our political order and economy. The poorer and unstable we become the better for them to exploit our natural resources, undermining our economic and social policies. All because Uncle Sam loves the Philippines for its own economic and political interest. When has the Philippines ever won with the US?
America gambles on both side. Whoever wins there they go.
Kailan pa naging panalo ang Pilipinas sa America? Lagi tayong talo sa ano mang uri ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila. Madali nila kasing utoin ang mga Pilipino. Karamihan din kasi sa atin mga political leaders ay may utang na loob sa mga Americano. Kaya sino ang kanilang inuuna, di ba ang interest ng kanilang mga among kano na siyang financer nila tuwing may election?
Many of us Filipinos do expect the U.S. government to do our work for us. It is because the Americans have successfully corrupted the develpment of our national psyche to be dependent on the Americans. It is because they have hoped and did realize it that we submit to their will so that all of our inheritance would be in their hands. This was accomplished thru development of our dependency thru cutting us off from our inheritance. This was thru the development of American Imperialism Defilipinization Syndrome as caused by the Heredity Injuring Virus which they transmitted in our systems.
In the begining we were not like this. We were a normal healthy infant nation. For summary of the details and references of this information we can check thru http://jmgpatria.blogspot.com/2009/06/developmental-basis.html
Masakit mang sabihin pero pati rin si Marcos ay biktima ng American Imperialism.
Common observation na lang ito, kung ayaw mong magpagamit sa mga Kano, wala kang silbi sa kanila. Kung magpapagamit ka at may maaasahan sa iyo, kaibigan at suportado ka nila.
Anong malay natin, love na love pa rin nila ang administrasyon ni Pang. Arroyo?
Thanks henry90. If all bloggers are like you who respect each one’s opinion, there’s no need for bitching, editing, deleting of comments.
This topic is about Cory. And how could we not talk about Marcos, FVR, Erap and GMA if we talk about Cory? These personalities are related by events and history. I’m sure others like you see my point. Discussion cannot be restricted to just the principal subject of the thread. That means it’s alright to mention Erap and other political figures.
You would be glad to know that I’ve turned to be a Corysta since 2005 when she asked the Evil Bitch to resign. My respect and admiration for her grew stronger when she apologized to Erap. However, we need to mention events that were true no matter who unpleasant they might be.
Tanong lang ito. Hindi rin kaya naki-alam o nag-attempt man lang ang mga Kano sa pamahalaan nang nasa poder pa si Presidente Cory?
Gloria’s ancestors and the other traydor had been feeding on the reward money of the spanish in quelling the revolutions and killing our heroes,kaya tayo naapi ng mga espanyol(at mga wannabe spanish) at amerikano ay dahil sa mga traydor na ito,If there’s someone to blame on why the spanish and american elite are still here it is Lazaro Macapagal and Emilio Aguinaldo.
Naalala ko lang malapit lang ang bayan ni Andres Bonifacio na Masantol,Pampanga sa bayan ni Gloria at ang angkan niya sa Lubao,Pampanga baka mag revenge ang mga Bonifacio sa mga Macapagal dahil sa mga ginawa ni Lazaro Macapagal at iba pa’ng traydor na Macapagal tulad ni Don Juan Macapagal kay Andres Bonifacio at sa mga iba pa nating mga bayani.
A country and leader can say no to Uncle Sam. Why not? Look at Venezuela’s Chavez. Look at Hondura’s President who returned to his country. Today, America has lost her influence on other nations especially during Bush’s long years of incompetent leadership. The cancer has spread to all over the body that Obama is finding it extremely hard to cure it. Obama’s diplomacy seems to be working out, though. Nokor was pleased with Bill Clinton’s visit so they finally released the two journalists. Next is Iran. You just wait.
Just shows the ignorance of many, for no one gets to heaven yet without properly being judged by the Lord Above.
Sinabi na nga ni Jesus Christ that judgment will be met according to one’s work. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)
Amenado si Marcos diyan. In fact, sabi niya, di niya dapat pinagtiwalaan ang mga kano. He actually felt betrayed, too.
That’s the belief of the Catholics, grizzy. They believe that the soul and spirit go straight to heaven, purgatory or hell. How could there be a middle station? The Bible doesn’t mention Purgatory at all. My friend once told me that the reason why there’s Purgatory is to offer Mass to the dead ones who are there so they could go to heaven. And of course whenever there’s Mass, you need to get the service of the Priest, buy candles and those related expenses.
A country and leader can say no to Uncle Sam if they have not been invaded, occupied, and worst of all, infected by a developmental disease to turn into being dependent on them. But we have been. Basis of this is in my earlier comment in post 6, August 11, 2009 9:53 am of this thread. Solution in that report has been suggested.
yes, the americans helped quell the coups in the 80s. the reason? you should listen to tita cory’s speech in the us congress. that well applauded speech. she specificaly ask that america help the philippines preserve democracy in the country. and the coups are certainly out to destroy that hard earned democracy! its like tita cory predicted there will be coups along the way. i salute her courage and strength!
Mumbaki:
Everybody knows Bonifacio was born in Binondo, Manila. Parang kami. Kahit Ilocano ang mother ko, di namin considered ang sarili namin na Ilocano but Manileno.
I have never heard of Bonifacio acknowledging himself as a kapampangan. Noong panahon naman nila kasi ang tinatawag na mga dugong aso ay iyong mga taga-Lubao at Macabebe. Watak-watak din naman kasi iyong mga kapampangan noon, no doubt about that!
sabi ng lola ko, a nun daw ang masamang tao, pag malapit ng kunin ng panginoon, di daw niya alam kung paano uubusin ang mga ninakaw niyan kayamanan sa tao, kasi ang katuwiran daw ng mga kampon ni satanas, gastusin ko na lahat ang ninakaw ko, dahil di na daw niya madadala, at baka makihati pa si satanas, ang masamang tao, masiba sa nakaw niya.. sabi ko kay lola, ” aber lola, sana mag dilang anghel ka ” oo daw ang sagot niya..!! siguro nga, malapit na ang katapusan nila at ang pagpapahirap nila sa taong bayan..!! siguro sa dami ng makikipaglibing sa kanilang mag asawa.. para lang tiyakin, na patay na nga sila..!!
grizzy: Just shows the ignorance of many, for no one gets to heaven yet without properly being judged by the Lord Above.
– Just shows how judgmental we can be. My church is the sole repository of the truth. All else is ignorance and heresy.
– The Aquino legacy is a peaceful regime change. It will also be Gloria’s. Hehehe.
Cory Aquino made me feel proud i am pinoy whereas gma made me feel ashame. Cory’s legacy of peaceful change was emulated by many countries whereas gma copy the example of corrupt regimes. Cory’s example changed american foreign policy for the better whereas gma can only show her foreign junkets worse than african standard.Cory did not seek a second term though she was very popular whereas gma is not wanted in any position she might be dreaming.
O akala ko ba.. say NO to US intervention.. tapos heto ififeature nyo yung mga kano…
consistency people… consistency..
consistently inconsistent!
The history of enslaved peoples is the same everywhere, or rather, they have no history. The years, the centuries pass without bringing any change to their situation. Generations come and go in silence.
Paul Wolfowitz was one of the architects of the Iraq war of Kenkoy Bush. I will not sully the memory of Cory with a reference to works by Wolfowitz, no matter how glowing the praise for Cory.
The one remark I consider flattering was from Willy Brandt, when he said People Power gave hope to the people of the world, in a dinner hosted in the house of then Senate President Salonga. That was in 1987, before the Velvet Revolution of the Czechs and Slovaks, and latter, the Berlin wall’s crumbling.
Wolfowitz, as president of World Bank, owes Cory bigtime. Despite the loud protestations of her cabal and the freedom-from-debt activists, she took the advise, and sided with the international lending institutions, to honor ALL of the country’s debt, including those at the behest of the former dictator.
But she herself fell into the same shithole dug by the Americans for Marcos, after she refused to operate the Bataan Nuclear Plant as it was prohibited by HER constitution. She however, committed to pay the loan, kickbacks and all, without producing a single centavo of income and by scrapping the Ministry of Energy altogether, resulted in THE energy crisis of the 90’s. We finished paying the BNPP loan just last year. Money that could have been spent on education, or agriculture, or for entrepreneurs or on many other endeavors, which instead gave us a very expensive monument in Bataan.
That single sequence of major misjudgements brought all of her economic accomplishments back to zilch. She may have been a good and honest politician, but she was a poor manager.
These notwithstanding, I still admire her for being a shining example for future leaders on the values of morality, tranparency, courage, humility, and above all, subservience to the laws of the land.
Who say “yes, to US intervention”? Unggoy! Sinabi na ngang hindi e!
Tongue,
Amenado naman si Cory sa totoo lang. Hindi ba sinabi na nga niyang hindi siya perfect and that she had committed a lot of mistakes. At least, she was humble enough to admit such things, and tried her best to make amends. Too bad, di niya nakita ang resulta ng efforts niya.
Grizzy, banatan mo ang unggoy na yan!
“She may have been a good and honest politician, but she was a poor manager.” How true. gma is a good manager for herself and cronies but a bad and dishonest politician.
good managerial ability is also akin to many persons who became leaders after winning against despots. lech walesa was one and even nelson mandela.
Statement on the Passing of Filipino President Corazon Aquino
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 31, 2009
I extend my deepest condolences to the Aquino family and all the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Corazon Aquino. Cory Aquino was beloved by her nation and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after the assassination of her husband, and later, during her service as president. She helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered. Like millions of people worldwide, Bill and I were inspired by her quiet strength and her unshakable commitment to justice and freedom. We join the American and Filipino people in honoring her life and memory.
Source: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/july/126830.htm
sanamagan! The U.S. will never intervene in our affairs. How can they when they have already invaded us in 1899 and since then have been occupying deep within our national system until now. They have already replaced our every system with one that is apparantly ours but actually corrupted. The replaced systems do not anymore have connection to our inherited identity, defense, culture, constitution and many others in our national genetic code.
If we want a stop to: our military being controlled by; our politicians being controlled by; and our Filipinas being raped by impunity by the Americans, we have to disseminate information on how we were born as a nation and how we were invaded and our inheritance, stolen by the Americans.