In the long history of mankind, there have always been some figures who have been remembered by future generations for their amazing deeds. They may go down in history for their outstanding contributions, or they may be remembered for thousands of years because of their evil deeds. However, one of these notorious figures is so greedy that he can even be called "the world's number one greedy".
This character came from a wealthy background, but he dedicated his life to corruption. Not only did he use the treasury as his private wallet, but he also held the economic lifeblood of the entire country firmly in his hands. Under his rule, a supposedly prosperous country faltered and eventually collapsed.
What kind of people are able to amass such astonishing wealth? How did he turn a country's economy into shambles in just a few decades? And the most puzzling thing is, why has he been able to reign for so many years without being exposed? What kind of shock will the true identity of this "world's No. 1 greedy" bring us?
The Road to Politics: The "Anti-Japanese Hero"
Speaking of the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos's political career, it can be described as a legendary experience. Everyone knows that he is the "anti-Japanese hero" of the Philippines, but few people know how his political career began.
Marcos was born in 1917 in a small town in the northern Philippines. His father, Mariano Marcos, was a local teacher who later became the governor of Ilocos. Don't underestimate the identity of this provincial governor, in the Philippines at that time, this was a big official position. Marcos grew up in such a politically charged family, and he developed an innate sensitivity to politics.
Interestingly, Marcos's father, despite his high position, did not pay much attention to his son's education. He was busy with government affairs all day long, and left his son's education to his wife. Who would have thought that it was this seemingly "free-range" education method that laid the groundwork for Marcos's future political career.
Young Marcos grew up freely at home, without much restraint. He likes to wander around, meet all kinds of people, etc. This experience allowed him to develop the ability to interact with people, and laid a solid foundation for his future political career.
In 1935, at the age of 18, Marcos was admitted to the University of the Philippines School of Law. During his time in college, he showed an amazing talent for public speaking. It is said that he once defeated all his opponents in a school debate tournament with sharp words and eloquent eloquence, and won the championship in one fell swoop. The experience made Marcos realize that he might really be a good fit for politics.
However, fate always likes to play a joke on people. In 1941, the Pacific War broke out and Japanese troops invaded the Philippines. The 24-year-old Marcos resolutely joined the Philippine Army and joined the War of Resistance Against Japan. Who would have thought that this decision would become a turning point in his political career.
During the war, Marcos showed extraordinary courage and leadership. He led a guerrilla detachment and fought the Japanese on the island of Luzon. It is said that in one battle, he single-handedly repelled a Japanese squad and saved dozens of civilians. These heroic deeds soon spread throughout the Philippines, and Marcos' name began to be resonated.
In 1944, Marcos was tragically captured by the Japanese during a battle. It stands to reason that this should have been the end of his life. However, fate favored him again. On the third day of capture, Marcos miraculously escaped, taking advantage of the unpreparedness of the guards. This experience has added a strong touch to his "hero" image.
After the war, Marcos began his political career with the aura of an "anti-Japanese hero". In 1949, he was elected to the House of Representatives. Since then, he has embarked on a high-flying political road. In 1965, Marcos finally reached the pinnacle of power and was elected president of the Philippines.
The world says that Marcos relied on his reputation as an "anti-Japanese hero" to rise to prominence. But when you look closely, how can it be so simple? His success stems more from his innate political talent and superb oratorical skills. It is these skills that have allowed him to win many times in complex political competitions, and finally reach the pinnacle of power.
However, who would have thought that this former "hero" would end up being the most notorious embezzler in Philippine history? This warrior who once fought for the country would actually push the country into the abyss with his own hands? When did all this begin?
The Road to Corruption: A Mind-Popping Accumulation of Wealth
Marcos' ascension to the presidency soon began his astonishing career as a corrupt man. His corrupt methods are so clever and huge in scale that they can be called the most in the world. It is estimated that Marcos embezzled about $10 billion during his reign, a figure equivalent to the total revenue of the Philippines in three years at the time.
Marcos's embezzlement did not happen overnight, but was the result of careful planning and long-term accumulation. He started with small embezzlements and gradually scaled up. At first, he used the power of the president to award a number of government contracts to companies with ties to him, taking a commission from them. This practice, although not glamorous, was not uncommon in the Philippines at the time.
However, Marcos was not satisfied with this. He began setting up a series of shell companies, ostensibly independent private companies, but in reality controlled by the Marcos family. Through these companies, Marcos can easily transfer national assets into his own pocket.
For example, in 1972, Marcos established an agency called the Philippine Coconut Authority. Ostensibly, this organization is to help coconut farmers improve their production efficiency. But in reality, it became a tool for the Marcos family to extract profits from the coconut industry. The agency forced all coconut growers to sell their produce to it at a low price and then resell it to the international market at a high price, with the huge difference in the middle going into Marcos' pocket.
In addition to the coconut industry, Marcos has also reached out to other economic lifelines of the Philippines. He took control of the country's important industries such as sugar, oil, and electricity, and profited from them through various means. According to statistics, by the early 1980s, the Marcos family had controlled more than 80% of the economic resources of the Philippines.
Marcos's corruption is not limited to the domestic arena, he has also set his sights on the international stage. He took advantage of the strategic position of the Philippines to receive a large amount of military and economic aid from the U.S. government. Much of this aid was supposed to be used for nation-building, but most of it was embezzled by Marcos.
To cover up his embezzlement, Marcos has also built a vast offshore financial network. He has set up hundreds of bank accounts in Switzerland, the United States, Singapore and other places to transfer the proceeds of corruption to these accounts. This not only made his wealth more hidden, but also prepared him for a possible escape in the future.
Marcos' embezzlement has reached unbelievable levels. It is reported that in his home, gold is measured not in kilograms, but in tons. His wife, Imelda, is famous for her more than 3,000 pairs of shoes. This extravagant lifestyle contrasted sharply with the impoverished life of ordinary Filipinos at the time.
The number of private jets in Marcos is also a staggering number. According to statistics, he owns 29 different models of private jets, including large airliners such as Boeing 747 and Airbus A310. These planes were not only used for his personal travel, but also to transport his family and cronies, and even to transport the proceeds of his embezzlement.
In addition to cash and gold, Marcos also owns a staggering amount of real estate. It is estimated that he owns more than 200 companies of various sizes around the world, which are involved in real estate, banking, mining, and other sectors. In the United States alone, Marcos owns several luxury homes and large commercial properties.
Marcos's embezzlement not only brought him great wealth, but also caused deep disaster in the Philippines. A large amount of funds have been transferred abroad, resulting in slow domestic economic development, backward infrastructure construction, and serious problems in people's livelihood. By the mid-1980s, the Philippines had become one of the slowest economies in Asia.
However, Marcos doesn't seem to be content with that. His greed seemed to never end, and even in the final years of his reign, when his regime was already shaky, he continued his embezzlement. This madness eventually led to his downfall and left a scar in the Philippines that will not heal.
Marcos's path of corruption shows the terrible extent to which power corrupts human nature. A man who was once seen as a national hero ended up being a sinner for the nation. His actions not only ruined his reputation, but also brought decades-long economic hardship to the entire Philippines. However, this is only one aspect of Marcos' reign. What else has the Philippines experienced under his rule? And how did he maintain his rule?
Means of rule: martial law and an iron fist
Marcos' reign was not without its challenges. In order to maintain his regime and continue his corrupt practices, Marcos resorted to a series of draconian measures, the most famous of which was the nine-year martial law.
On September 21, 1972, Marcos declared martial law throughout the country, citing threats to national security. This decision shocked the entire Philippines and completely changed the country's political landscape. The imposition of martial law meant that Marcos could exercise his powers without any restrictions, including shutting down Congress, arresting political opponents, controlling the media, and more.
On the first day of martial law, Marcos ordered the arrest of thousands of political dissidents, including senators, representatives, journalists and student leaders. The men were accused of being "subversives" or "Communist Party sympathizers," and many were held for years, some even tortured or executed.
A case in point is Senator Benigno Aquino II. As Marcos' main political opponent, Aquino was arrested on the day martial law was imposed and subsequently held for nearly eight years. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, Aquino was charged with treason and murder. Under pressure from the international community, Marcos eventually allowed Aquino to travel to the United States for heart surgery. However, when Aquino returned home in 1983, he was assassinated at the Manila airport. The incident sparked strong repercussions in the Philippines and became the beginning of the decline of the Marcos regime.
In addition to suppressing political opponents, Marcos also consolidated his rule by controlling the media. After martial law was imposed, all newspapers, radio and television stations in the Philippines were shut down, and only a few pro-Marcos media outlets were allowed to continue operating. These media outlets have become the mouthpieces of the Marcos regime, constantly promoting Marcos' "achievements" while covering up his corruption and human rights violations.
To further consolidate his power, Marcos also amended the Constitution. In 1973, he introduced a new constitution that changed the Philippines from a presidential to a parliamentary system and gave the president (that is, himself) more powers. The constitution also eliminated presidential term limits, paving the way for Marcos' long rule.
However, Marcos' rule did not rely entirely on violence and coercion. He also tried to win the support of the population through some "moderate" means. For example, he introduced a series of land reform policies, claiming to help poor peasants gain access to land. But in reality, these policies benefited mainly Marcos' cronies and supporters, while the situation of most farmers did not improve.
Marcos also launched the so-called "New Society Movement," which called on the people of the country to unite and build a "new Philippines." The campaign included a series of social reform measures, such as literacy campaigns, public health projects, etc. However, these measures have had limited effect and are more of a positive propaganda pretext for the Marcos regime.
On the international stage, Marcos has also shown great political skill. He skillfully exploited the international situation during the Cold War and positioned the Philippines as an important ally of the United States in Southeast Asia. In this way, he received substantial economic and military aid from the United States, while also winning the acquiescence of the U.S. government to his rule.
However, Marcos' iron-fisted rule did not come without a price. Over time, the economic situation in the Philippines has deteriorated, and the gap between rich and poor has widened. At the same time, opposition to Marcos is growing. Despite Marcos' attempts to silence these voices by various means, the opposition is growing in power.
In 1981, Marcos announced the lifting of martial law under international pressure. However, this does not mean that he abandoned his dictatorship. He continued to retain most of his emergency powers, and the repression of the opposition did not stop.
The assassination of Aquino in 1983 marked a turning point in Marcos' rule. The incident provoked strong discontent among the Filipino people, and the anti-Marcos movement began to spread across the country. Despite Marcos' attempts to suppress these movements by various means, the foundations of his rule have begun to falter.
By the mid-1980s, Marcos' health was deteriorating and his grip on the country was beginning to loosen. The opposition grew rapidly during this period, laying the foundation for what would later become the "People's Power Revolution".
Marcos's methods of rule show how a dictator can maintain his regime through violence, propaganda, and political maneuvers. However, this domination ultimately proved unsustainable. As time passed, the shortcomings of the Marcos regime became more and more apparent, and the discontent of the population became more and more intense. How, then, did this once-seemingly impregnable regime finally collapse?
The Collapse of the Regime: The People Power Revolution
The collapse of the Marcos regime did not happen overnight, but over many years. However, the immediate trigger for its downfall was the "People Power Revolution" that took place in February 1986. The revolution not only ended Marcos' 20-year dictatorship, but also opened a new chapter in the democratization process in the Philippines.
In November 1985, under pressure from the international community, Marcos announced that presidential elections would be held in February of the following year. The decision was seen at the time as an attempt by Marcos to consolidate his legitimacy, but in fact it became the beginning of the collapse of his regime.
The opposition quickly rallied and put forward Corazon Aquino as its candidate. Corazon was the widow of assassinated Senator Benigno Aquino II, and her candidacy sparked intense sympathy and support among the Filipino public. Although Corazon was far inferior to Marcos in political experience, she represented change and hope, becoming a symbol of anti-Marcos forces.
The election was held on 7 February 1986 and was a contentious process. The Marcos camp used various means to manipulate the election, including bribing voters, intimidating opposition supporters, and tampering with votes. Despite this, Corazon Aquino still received a large number of votes.
On February 15, the Philippine National Congress declared Marcos the winner. The result immediately sparked nationwide protests. There is a widespread belief that the election results were rigged and that the real winner should be Corazon Aquino.
Just when the situation is becoming more and more tense, an unexpected event occurs. On February 22, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Fidel Ramos announced their withdrawal from Marcos' camp and called for Marcos to step down. The defection of these two high-ranking officers gave the opposition a great encouragement and shook the foundations of the Marcos regime.
Enrile and Ramos led a small group of soldiers to occupy two barracks outside Manila. Marcos immediately ordered the suppression of the rebels, but his order was met with widespread resistance. More and more servicemen began to defect and refuse to open fire on their own compatriots.
Meanwhile, Manila's Archbishop Cyn Cardinal appealed to the population through Catholic Radio to support the rebels and protect them from Marcos' forces. The call was enthusiastically answered, and tens of thousands of ordinary citizens flocked to the barracks, forming a human wall to protect the rebels.
This scene became one of the most iconic images of the "People Power Revolution": unarmed civilians confronted with heavily armed soldiers, peacefully preventing possible bloodshed. Touched by the courage of the population, many soldiers laid down their arms and joined the anti-Marcos bandwagon.
As the situation evolved, Marcos' situation became more and more difficult. On February 25, Corazon Aquino held an inauguration ceremony in Manila and declared himself the legitimate president of the Philippines. On the same day, Marcos also staged a hasty inauguration ceremony in an attempt to salvage the situation. However, by this time his power base had completely collapsed.
With the mediation of the U.S. government, Marcos finally agreed to leave the Philippines. On the evening of 25 February, he and his family left the presidential palace in a U.S. military helicopter and flew to Hawaii. Thus ended Marcos' 20-year rule.
The success of the "People Power Revolution" not only ended Marcos' dictatorship, but also opened a new path for the democratization process in the Philippines. This peaceful revolution demonstrated the power of the people and became a model for democratic movements around the world.
However, the fall of Marcos does not mean the solution of all problems in the Philippines. The new government faces a series of challenges, including rebuilding the country's economy, restoring democracy, and dealing with Marcos' legacy. When Corazon Aquino came to power, the question of what to do with the Marcos family and their fortune became a thorny one.
Although Marcos left the Philippines, his influence has not completely disappeared. He still has a loyal following at home, and members of his family are trying to return to politics. At the same time, recovering the enormous wealth embezzled by Marcos has become a long-term and difficult task.
The victory of the "People Power Revolution" marked an important turning point in Philippine history. However, the country's path to democracy is still long and tortuous. The problems left over from the Marcos era, such as the gap between the rich and the poor, political corruption, and regional conflicts, did not disappear automatically with his downfall. So, what kind of changes has the Philippines experienced after Marcos?
The Post-Marcos Era: Transformation and Challenges in the Philippines
The fall of the Marcos regime ushered in a new era for the Philippines, but the challenges facing the country are far from over. With Corazon Aquino as president, the Philippines embarked on a difficult process of democratic transition, one of promise and hardship.
The Aquino administration was faced first and foremost with how to rebuild the democracy that Marcos had undermined. She restored the 1935 constitution and organized the creation of a new one. In 1987, a new constitution was adopted, re-establishing the political system of separation of powers, limiting the powers of the president and limiting the presidential term to a single six-year term. These measures are designed to prevent the recurrence of dictatorships.
However, rebuilding democracy will not be easy. The political culture and power structure of the Marcos period were deeply rooted in Filipino society and were difficult to change in a short period of time. Political corruption, nepotism, and the influence of local power persist as they continue to affect the political landscape of the Philippines.
Economic reconstruction is another major challenge. The huge foreign debt and crumbling economic system left behind by the Marcos era will take time to repair. The Aquino administration has undertaken a series of economic reforms, including privatizing state-owned enterprises, attracting foreign investment, and promoting an export-oriented economy. These policies have promoted economic growth to some extent, but they have also sparked some controversy, such as the opaque operation of the privatization process.
In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo dealt a heavy blow to the Philippine economy. The natural disaster not only caused a large number of casualties and property damage, but also forced the withdrawal of US troops from Clark Air Force Base, which had a serious impact on the Philippine economy and employment. However, the disaster has also prompted the Philippine government to strengthen its disaster response capacity and promote the reconstruction of the country's infrastructure.
The disposition of the Marcos family's assets is a thorny issue in the post-Marcos era. The Aquino administration established the Presidential Commission for Good Government (PCGG) to track down and recover the Marcos family's illicit assets. This work has been going on for many years and has yielded some results, but it has also faced many legal and diplomatic obstacles. As of 2024, the work is still ongoing, showing the complexity of liquidating the dictator's legacy.
In the social sphere, the Philippines faces a serious gap between the rich and the poor. Despite the overall growth of the economy, the unequal distribution of wealth remains significant. The Aquino administration pursued a series of poverty reduction and land reform policies, but the results were limited. The persistence of poverty has become a major hidden danger to the social stability of the Philippines.
Security is also a major challenge for the Philippines in the post-Marcos era. The activities of Muslim separatist movements and communist guerrillas in the south continue to pose a threat to national security. In 1996, the Ramos government signed a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which eased the conflict in the south to some extent, but did not completely resolve the problem.
In terms of international relations, the Philippines has worked hard to rebuild its international image and status. In 1991, the Philippine Senate vetoed a military base agreement with the United States, marking a turning point in Philippine-American relations. Since then, the Philippines has pursued a more independent foreign policy, while also strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries.
In 1992, Fidel Ramos was elected president, becoming the second democratically elected president in the post-Marcos era. Ramos launched the "Philippines 2000" initiative, which aims to make the Philippines a newly industrialized country. During his tenure, the Philippine economy achieved some growth, but the Asian financial crisis in 1997 brought new setbacks to economic development.
In 1998, Joseph Estrada was elected president. However, his tenure was not peaceful. In 2000, Estrada was embroiled in a corruption scandal that sparked mass protests. In January 2001, following the "People Power Revolution", the Philippines once again experienced a peaceful regime change, known as "People Power II". Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over the presidency.
The Arroyo government faces multiple challenges, including continuing to push forward with economic reforms, fighting terrorism, and tackling political corruption. Although she won the presidential election in 2004, she was also mired in political crises several times during her time in power.
In 2010, Benigno Aquino III (son of Corazon Aquino) was elected president, pledging to fight corruption and reduce poverty. He introduced a series of reforms, including the expansion of social welfare programs and the improvement of infrastructure. However, the effectiveness of these policies remains to be evaluated in the long term.
Overall, the post-Marcos Philippines has undergone a complex process of transformation. While democracy has been restored and the economy has developed, many deep-seated problems remain. Problems such as the gap between rich and poor, political corruption, and regional conflicts continue to plague the country. The democratization process in the Philippines continues, and its future development still faces many challenges and uncertainties.