Philippine History – Martial Law Lifted
January 17, 1981 - President Ferdinand E. Marcos Lifted Martial Law
On January 17, 1981, President Ferdinand E. Marcos lifted martial law which he declared nationwide on September 21, 1972 through Proclamation No. 1081. Marcos issued the proclamation due to the rising wave of lawlessness and the threat of a communist rebellion.
This proclamation curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, closed down Congress and media establishments, and caused the arrest of opposition leaders and militant activists. Among those arrested were staunchest critics of the Marcos administration - former Senators Benigno Aquino Jr., Jovito Salonga and Jose Diokno. Many other political opponents were forced to go into exile overseas.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 2045, Marcos lifted the state of martial law to show the Filipino people and the world that the situation in the Philippines was back to normal and that the 1973 Constitution and the government were working smoothly.
However, when Marcos inaugurated the "New Republic," he retained all martial law decrees, orders, and law-making powers to the Constitution.
Philippine History – Martial Law Lifted
Vocabulary Study: lift to end a rule or law proclamation an official statement or announcement made by a person in power or by a government wave a wave is also a sudden increase in an activity or in the strength of a condition or feeling lawlessness the quality of not being restrained nor controlled by law curtail to reduce or limit (something) press freedom the freedom of communication and expression through mediums including various electronic media and published materials civil liberty the right of people to do or say things that are not illegal without being stopped or interrupted by the government staunch committed; dedicated exile a situation in which you are forced to leave your country or home and go to live in a foreign country retain keep; continue to have
Write the correct vocabulary word to complete the sentences: a. lift 1. His severe criticism will ______his b. press son's creativity. freedom c. curtail 2. I think our president will issue another ______soon. d. proclamation
3. It is a bad idea to ______the ban on alcoholic drinks near schools.
4. Journalists will do everything to protect ______.
Philippine History – Martial Law Lifted
5. Many writers went into ______for
political reasons. e. civil liberty f. exile 6. My best friend is a ______supporter of the poor. g. lawlessness h. retain
7. The ______in this city can turn i. staunch businesses away. j. wave
8. The ______of violence in the city is a big security issue.
9. The main goal of our boss now is to ______control of the company.
10. The right to vote is an example of ______.
Comprehension Questions:
1. When did President Ferdinand E. Marcos lift martial law in the Philippines? 2. Who were the former senators of the Philippines that got arrested for being staunch critics of the Marcos administration? 3. What did Marcos retain in the Constitution when he inaugurated the "New Republic?"
Philippine History – Martial Law Lifted
Complete the following sentences:
1. Marcos issued the proclamation due to the rising wave of lawlessness and ______. 2. This proclamation curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, ______. 3. However, when Marcos inaugurated the "New Republic," ______.
Comment on the following Quotes: 1. “A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” -Bob Dylan 2. “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” - George Washington 3. “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” - Nelson Mandela
Discussion Questions: 1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word freedom? 2. Do you think freedom of the press is significant? Why or why not? 3. For you, what does it mean to be free?