The Philippines, 1983-1986

       

       In a time where citizens of many countries sought their voice in government there can be uncertainty in the stability of this process. The dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos was coming to an end as the majority of people in the Philippines began to cry out for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty through the utilization of a fair election. The democratic revolution of the Philippines was successful due to three main factors: first, through the support of the Catholic Church and its leader Cardinal Jaime Sin. Second, was Benigno Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino, who emerged as a strong force speaking out about human rights and democracy, eventually running for, and winning, the presidential election. The third major factor was through “the Parliament of the Streets” and the creation of JAJA (Justice for Aquino, Justice for All) who helped to stage several demonstrations and protests as well as the NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections) organization, formed with the purpose of assuring fair polling.

            Cardinal Jaime Sin was a key figure in the Filipino opposition and is unique in his manner of appealing to the peoples’ faith as well as having the support of the Catholic Church. In the document Guidelines on Christian Conduct during Elections, Cardinal Sin makes several key points. The first being that it is not only the duty of the people as citizens to vote in the upcoming election, but that it is also their Christian duty and in not voting one would “Fail their country and God”.  Another key point made by Sin is in reference to honesty. Several times he condemns the act of cheating as a “sin that cries to heaven for vengeance” and that of selling one’s vote as “no one is obliged to fulfill an evil contract”. Cardinal Sin also reaches to the priesthood in an attempt to evangelize all of those who are involved in the election process stating that, “as religious leaders and pastors it is our duty to provide moral guidance and encouragement to our people in these times of grave crisis”. The involvement of the Catholic Church shows how important the democratic movement was to the people of the Philippines as it greatly affected a community of leaders whose affairs are not primarily in government.

            After the election MANFREL estimated that Aquino defeated Marcos by at least one million votes, however parliament certified Marcos as winner.  On February 16, Aquino addressed a crowd outlining a plan of action with the purpose of boycotting government-controlled firms through the mass co-operation of Filipino people. Plans are also set out to boycott certain banks in a “peaceful and completely legal” manner, eventually leading to other regular depositors to withdraw from these institutions due to their instability. Not only were these boycotts intended to diminish the power Marcos had but to pressure and persuade foreign entities “who may still have the decency to recognize the regime they are supporting is illegitimate, especially in regards to the United States. A call is also made to mass action which refers to demonstrations and protest rallies in a way “to demonstrate the clamor of the people for change”. Though this is noted as being the activity “most fraught with risk” many demonstrators did participate, and as seen in the document The Revolution of 1986: A Personal Story written by Ledivina Cariño who brought her children to the march despite the possible danger stating that to not become involved was “the greater risk and shame”. These documents show the great lengths and the devotion that the Filipino had when undertaken the movement and push for democracy.

            JAJA was first formed on August 1983 with the goal of abolishing the PCO (Presidential Commitment Order) and soon enlarged their cause and, only two months after its establishment, increased to nearly ninety chapters and member organizations. JAJA is described as being “non-partisan and multi-sectoral, an organization of organizations”. JAJA is also unique in that it is not considered a political party and any of its members affiliated with a political party must do so in their own individual capacity and not through the organization. The main focus of JAJA is to gain justice, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. Demands such as the immediate resignation of President Marcos, and all other political or military figures associated by him, as well as a stop to all United States of foreign intervention were made by JAJA. JAJA serves as an important factor in the success of the Filipino peoples movement to democracy as it shows a united coalition of many different types of people in order to gain the rights they all believe they have.