Marcos Photo Gallery
Both Ferdinand and Imelda were popular political figures in the early days of the Marcos presidency. It seemed like a magical time. The First Couple was likened to America's beautiful and charismatic Jackie and JFK. Some called them "the Kennedys of Asia."
In the early years of the Marcos administration, the Philippines was a showcase of American-style governance, its constitution largely a copy of the American version. Likewise, their rules limited Ferdinand to two terms in office.
Marcos popularity plunged when it became clear he wanted a third term. A constitutional convention he arranged was intended to allow him to succeed himself indefinately. It turned out to be rife with corruption and bribes — much of it documented by the country’s free, independent media
When a wave of public demonstrations made it clear to the president that he and the first lady had lost their popular support, Marcos used those sometimes rowdy rallies to crackdown on his critics. With the support of his supreme court, Marcos finally acted to suspend democracy “temporarily” as a “last resort” to restore order. The result: a 13-year dictatorship during which he jailed his political rivals… shutdown the media… and looted the national treasury.
In the years that followed, the dictator’s supporters presented him with a “Mt. Rushmore” of his own, pictured below when the author visited nearly five years after the Marcos government fell.
The Marcos monument finally fell, too.
The U.S. Justice Department also indicted Ferdinand and Imelda on conspiracy charges growing out of their multi-billion dollar bank assets traced to the Philippine treasury. The trial began only after Ferdinand died in exile in Hawaii. Imelda was acquitted by a New York federal jury. Jurors who met with the press said they would have convicted Ferdinand had he lived to face trial. Below, courtroom artist Marshall Goodman captures Imelda (far right) and the press gallery (far left). The author is third from the left.
