Why Ferdinand Marcos is a Great Leader: His Accomplishments

Introduction

He was also a prime minister, statesman, war hero, poet, author and a parliamentarian. He finished his studies with flying colors at the University of the Philippines. Marcos as the former president, was able to foster nationalism and patriotism during his term. He did different things that can prove his nationalism to the country and prove why Ferdinand Marcos is a great leader.

Ferdinand Marcos' Contributions as a Leader

During the World War II, he was an officer with the Philippine Armed Forces. Marcos ruled the Philippines with an iron fist during his term. His first term have made a progress in the industry, agriculture and education, yet his administration was troubled by increasing student demonstrations and violent urban guerilla activities. As the Philippines’ president and strongman, Marcos led his country in its post-war reconstruction. His intentions were commendable to improve the economy and to increase agricultural productivity and to dismantle the oligarchy that had dominated the nation. Marcos’ great achievements were in the areas of infrastructure development, protecting the country against communism, and international diplomacy. His administration was destroyed by massive government corruption, despotism, nepotism, political repression, and human rights violations. He is a part of the Liberal Party founded by Roxas until he resigned and joined the Nationalist. After the re-election, Marcos faced violent public protests against his rule by students and other citizens. The Filipino Communist Party reemerged as a threat, and this was the start when Marcos declared the Martial Law as a response to all those threats.

When Marcos imposed Martial Law and assumed dictatorial powers, he proclaimed not only to suppress rebellion, but to build a new society, a society in which all the Filipinos would share in the benefits of economic development and its progress. When he was dethroned from power and was driven into exile by the people power, it was true that his dictatorship was a total failure according to the standards the dictator himself had set his regime to be judged. The communist and Muslim insurgencies became larger and gained strength with Marcos himself, the abuses and corruption of his rule, as the best recruiter for their causes. The promise of economic and the political development was not accessible, therefore it was thought that the economic modernization could be better and more easily achieved with the path of authoritarianism even if it meant sacrificing the democratic ideal. During the outbreak of World War II, Marcos was in the state of studying law in Manila and soon joined the Filipino Army and fought against the Japanese invasion as a combat intelligence officer in the 21st Infantry division. He saw action in the Battle of Bataan which the allied forces lost Luzon to the Japanese. He then claimed to have been a guerilla leader, but that claim has been disputed.

Philippines' Development During Ferdinand Marcos' Rule

Along with his nationalism and patriotism, the promotion of tourism is enlisted as one of his achievements. According to the books of the history of the Philippines, Marcos was a famous personality because he ruled with an iron fist as what is said in the books. He implemented rules that are very strict and is called a dictator in his stay in the government. He is not the first or last president who abused his power. Ferdinand Marcos has been the talk of the people with different issues, and even still now. Some says that he murdered a political family rival and some says he was a corrupt leader. He created different infrastructures like the train, LRT system, roads, theaters, health centers and many more. All of this, it is his contribution to the Philippines even though it is really the work of a president to innovate the country during his term. He did a lot of things, a lot of improvements during his first and second term. Marcos ruled his people by reward and punishment. Whoever disobey the rules are punished, that is how strict Marcos is. Despite of his strictness, it has benefited and developed the country under his rule.

Conclusion

He taught his people to discourage and be suspicious of leaders who come in for wealth, because Philippine politics is an easy road to obtain an easy money. Political leaders who suddenly get rich are controlled by their greed. Though Marcos also abused his power, but he did a lot of development in the country. He also taught his people to be cautious of political leaders who always say that they will govern well and that they will make a better constitution, or that they promise to make an improvement in the country. Politicians who are hungry for power and wealth is one of the problem that the country faces. The people can never have a good constitution if the one governing them has the goal to rule everyone, to make them a slave and to be rich. Marcos’ nationalism was always present, he cares for his people not only the one during his time but also to next generations. He forced the people to be creative in fighting back, like the protests. He also showed that the friendship with powerful leaders is no guarantee that one could hold on to power indefinitely. Having a friend who has the power is not really of help, because sometimes they might just be using someone. He taught his people to discourage those who shamelessly cheat in elections. Elections in the Philippines are dirty because there are candidates who are vote buying and who has the power to control the election. He also showed his people that there is a big difference between fear and discipline. The regime’s slogan for Marcos’ New Society has worked because of Marcos strictness, the people are scared to disobey in Marcos’ time. 

Works Cited

1. McCoy, A. W. (1993). Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines. University of Wisconsin Press.

2. Roces, A., & Roces, A. (2016). Marcos Martial Law: Never Again. Anvil Publishing.

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3. Constantino, R. (1975). The Philippines: A Past Revisited. Tala Publishing Services.