The Philippines in 1985: Rolling with the Political Punches

Abstract

The beleaguered ship of the Philippines once again entered turbulent seas at the end of 1985. The swirl of events in December drew the country into another political storm that threatened the very fragile economic recovery that had begun during the last two months of the year. The unbelievable, although not unexpected, acquittal of the 26 people accused in the Aquino-Galman murder case and the subsequent reinstatement of General Fabian Ver as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) evoked national and international indignation. There were speculations, however, that President Marcos would soon retire General Ver and General Fidel Ramos, who has been acting chief of staff, together with other overstaying generals in a bid to appease international onlookers and thereby strike a compromise. The signing of Cabinet Bill No. 7 into law set snap elections for February 7, 1986. Meanwhile, with the signed endorsement of more than one million people and those of various political parties and alliances, Mrs. Corazon Aquino, widow of the slain opposition leader, finally decided to run for president in the upcoming elections. In a last-ditch effort toward unity of the opposition, Salvador Laurel-the head of the strongest opposition party, the UNIDO-agreed to run for vice president with Mrs. Aquino. Showing his much-vaunted political skill, President Marcos chose for his running mate Arturo Tolentino, whom he had fired as minister of foreign affairs in March 1985 for incompatibility of views. Tolentino had publicly criticized many of Marcos' policies.