Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin
Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin (1917–89) Philippine statesman, president (1965–86). Marcos was elected to the Philippine Congress in 1949. As president, he received support from the USA for his military campaigns (1969) against communist guerrillas on Panay and Moro secessionists on Mindanao. Continued civil unrest led to the imposition of martial law in 1972. A new constitution (1973) gave Marcos authoritarian powers. His regime acquired a reputation for corruption and repression, symbolized by the extravagance of his wife, Imelda (1930– ). In 1983, his main rival, Benigno Aquino, was assassinated and political opposition coalesced behind Benigno's widow, Cory Aquino. Marcos appeared to win the 1986 general election, but allegations of vote-rigging forced him into exile. In 1988, US authorities indicted both him and Imelda for fraud. Ferdinand was too ill to stand trial and died in Hawaii. Imelda was subsequently acquitted, but indicted for embezzlement upon her return to Manila in 1991. In 1992, Imelda unsuccessfully ran for president. In 1993, she was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment, but appealed the judgement.
More From encyclopedia.com
NEARBY TERMS
Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin
