I.

Introduction

Ferdinand Marcos (1917-1989), president-dictator of the Republic of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. Marcos was twice elected to the presidency before he declared martial law and seized dictatorial powers in 1972. A massive nonviolent protest known as the People Power Movement forced him from office in 1986. His authoritarian regime is remembered for its rampant corruption at the highest levels of government and its suppression of political dissent and the democratic process.