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HomeHistoryThe Red-Yellow Political Legacy: A brief background of the Aquino-Marcos rivalry

The Red-Yellow Political Legacy: A brief background of the Aquino-Marcos rivalry

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Editors Note: The political clans of the Aquinos and Marcoses have long polarized Filipinos through the years, dividing the body politic into opposing political camps with distinct ideologies that have profoundly shaped history.

National media reported recently that First Lady Liza Marcos, wife of the Marcos patriarch and namesake of sitting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, met with two Aquinos, Josh and Bimby, sons of Kris Aquino, youngest daughter of Aquino patriarch Benigno Jr whose killing in the 1980s sparked a chain of events that deposed the senior Marcos.

Does the meeting signify the start of a reconciliation between the two clans? We take a brief look at their rivalry in this AI-assisted article.

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Ferdinand Marcos and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. both emerged as prominent figures in Philippine politics during the 1950s and 1960s. Marcos, a brilliant lawyer and decorated war hero, began his political career as a member of Congress before rising to become Senate President in 1963. His charisma and strategic alliances positioned him as a formidable contender for national leadership.

Meanwhile, Ninoy Aquino, known for his eloquence and staunch advocacy for democracy and social justice, quickly rose through the ranks of Philippine politics. He became the youngest mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac, at age 22, and later served as Governor of Tarlac and Mayor of Manila. Aquino’s fiery speeches and opposition to Marcos’s policies earned him both admiration and scrutiny among the Filipino populace.

Collaboration and Estrangement

In the early 1960s, Marcos and Aquino found themselves on common ground, albeit briefly, as allies within the Nacionalista Party. Aquino’s criticism of the administration’s policies, however, led to a rift that culminated in his resignation from Marcos’s cabinet in 1969. This marked the beginning of a contentious relationship that would define Philippine politics for decades to come.

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Declaration of Martial Law and Aquino’s Incarceration

The turning point in the Aquino-Marcos relationship came with the declaration of Martial Law on 21 September 1972. Marcos justified this drastic measure as a response to growing civil unrest and communist insurgency, but it effectively centralized power in his hands, leading to widespread human rights abuses and suppression of political dissent.

Aquino, a vocal critic of Martial Law, was among the first to be arrested and detained without charges under Presidential Decree No. 1081. His imprisonment symbolized the struggle against Marcos’s authoritarian rule and galvanized opposition forces within the Philippines and abroad.

The Rise of People Power and Aquino’s Assassination

The assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983, at Manila International Airport marked a watershed moment in Philippine history. His return from self-exile in the United States to challenge Marcos’s regime sparked widespread outrage and suspicion of Marcos’s involvement in his death. Aquino’s funeral became a focal point for anti-Marcos sentiment, mobilizing millions of Filipinos in protests demanding justice and democracy.

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People Power Revolution and Marcos’s Ouster

The culmination of years of unrest and political maneuvering came with the People Power Revolution in February 1986. Mass protests, supported by key military defections and international pressure, forced Marcos into exile in Hawaii, effectively ending his twenty-year rule. Corazon Aquino, Ninoy’s widow, assumed the presidency, marking a symbolic victory for democracy and the restoration of civil liberties in the Philippines.

Legacy and Historical Reflections

The Aquino-Marcos relationship remains a complex and enduring chapter in Philippine history—a narrative of friendship turned rivalry, collaboration turned conflict, and ultimately, a struggle for the soul of a nation. Their legacies continue to resonate in Philippine society, serving as a reminder of the enduring quest for justice, democracy, and national reconciliation amidst adversity.

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Julius D. Mariveles
Julius D. Mariveles
An amateur cook who has a mean version of humba, the author has recently tried to make mole negra, the Mexican sauce he learned by watching shows of master chef Rick Bayless. A journalist since 19, he has worked in the newsrooms of radio, local papers, and Manila-based news organizations. A stroke survivor, he now serves as executive editor of DNX.
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