SPEECH OF PRESIDENT CORAZON

AQUINO BEFORE THE JOINT SESSION

OF THE UNITED STATE CONGRESS.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1986
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The gradual downfall of dictatorial regime of president Ferdinand E. Marcos
began with the assassination of his political rival, former senator Benigno
“Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., on Aug. 21, 1983 moments after the latter returned from
exile in the United States. The murder of Ninoy Aquino set in motion a series
of events that destablished the Marcos administration. Protest rallies erupted
in the streets of Manila and other major cities in the provinces calling for
Marcos to resign. The Philippine economy began to falter amidst accusations
of corruption by Marcos and his cronies. Rumors continued to circulate that
Marcos was sick. Following opinions by the US government that he was loosing
the mandate of the filipino people, Marcos announce on American and local
television that he would hold a snap presidential election.
The opposition wanted to field their own candidates against Marcos but soon
realized that they would not stand a chance against the dictator if they would
not unite and choose a common candidate. It was decided that Ninoys’widow,
Corazon Aquino, with run as a president with opposition leader, Salvador
Laurel as running mate.

The snap elections proved to be farce there was rampant the end, the Marcos ‘
allies that the Batasang Pambansa declared hin the winner of the election. In
protest, Aquino would for a nationwide boycotto products of businesses that
supported Marcos. Other anti-Marcos groups vowed to continue the protest.
But on Feb. 22 , Marcos defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces
of the Philippines vice chief of staff Gen. Fidel Ramos announce defection from
the Marcos government . This led to what is known in our history as the four
day People Power Revolution were civilians faced tanks and soldiers to protect
the soldiers and officers who defied the Marcos regime. Marcos eventually was
flown to Hawaii where he lived in exileand Aquino was sworn into office as
president of the Philippines.
The People Power revolution caught the imagination of the world. But there
was a difficult task ahead. President Aquino began to lead a country that had
been badly damaged economically by the Marcos regime. In Sep. 1986 she
went a state visit to United States where she spoked before the US congress to
ask for financial aid to the Philippines and conferred with then President
Reagan. She also met with American business man to convince them to invest
in the Philippines. The nine day visit was deemed a success by Filipino and
American Newsmen.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Maria Corazon “Cory”Cojuangco Aquino was born on Jan. 25 1933 to a
wealthy and politically prominent family in Tarlac she graduated from Mount
Saint Vincent College in New York City in 1954 that a year later, she married a
popular young politician Benigno “Ninoy”Aquino, Jr she live the life of a
politicians wife, remaining in the background and raising the family 5 children
while her husband’s career as a prominent opposition politician grew during
the Marcos administration. Cory stood by her husband when he was arrested
and imprisoned for 8 years (1972-1980) by President Marcos was declared in
1972. Released to get medical treatment, Cory accompanied Ninoy to the
United States where he lived in exile for three years.
Corazon Aquino thrust into limelight when Ninoy was assassinated upon his
return to the Philippines in 1983. She became part of the growing opposition
to the Marcos dictatorship which culminated in her presidential candidacy of a
united opposition in the snap election of 1986. losing the elections because of
massive cheating, Cory challenged the results of the election by calling for a
boycott of all industries of Marcos cronies. It was not long before military
officials publicly renounced Marcos and supported Cory as the duly-elected
president. The four-day people power revolution in Feb. 1986 ended the
Marcos dictatorship and propelled Cory as the first Filipino women president.
The Cory administration became known for its restoration of Philippine
democracy. A new constitution was written and a congress was soon elected.
But the euphoria of the newly restored freedom did not last as the Aquino
administration field to enforce social and economic reforms. The problems of
peace and order especially with the communists insurgency continued and it
was not long before the government was also dealing with rightist elements in
the military that led to several attempted coups. She was succeeded to the
presidency by her former armed forces chief of staff and defense secretary
Fidel Ramos in 1992.
In January 1987, Cory Aquino was named the TIME MAGAZINE’S
1986 person of the year. She returned to the limelight in 2001 supporting the
impeachment of president joseph Estrada in the TIME MAGAZINE’S issue
called “60 YEARS OF ASIAN HEROES.”She died on August 1, 2001.
About the Speech
The invitation to speak before the joint
session of the US congress was extended to
president Aquino seven months after she assumed
office. The task of writing the speech was given to
Cory’s Executive secretary Teodoro “Teddy boy”
Locsin, Jr. who, in an interview years later, admitted
that he was unable to finish it in time for the
occasion. It was Cory who finished the draft and it
was this speech that she delivered before the US
congress. It ran for half an hour and was
interrupted by several applauses and ended with
standing ovation by both senators and congressman
.
THANK YOU!!! 