FIFTY-TWO years ago, the first President Ferdinand Marcos issued the controversial Presidential Proclamation 1081 which placed the whole Philippines under martial law. More than five decades later, many Filipinos remember the event as a dark chapter in the country’s history, a time when legitimate dissent and freedoms of speech, dissent, labor and human rights were suppressed.
Officially, Marcos issued Proclamation 1081 “to save the Republic and build a New Society.” Marcos claimed then that the series of protest actions by young activists and the nascent armed rebellion in isolated villages in Central Luzon constitute an imminent danger to the state. It was really an attempt to perpetuate himself in power.
Political bias generally clouded the perception of many about the martial law chapter in our development as a nation, and through the years the Leftist movement, traditional politicians, and political clans have interpreted contemporary history according to their interests.
‘Malaya stands on its own record of exemplary adherence to the tradition and tenets of fair journalism, even when times were hard and those in the media community had to live dangerously.’
The successive holding of political power by the Aquino and Marcos families and their foes and allies in the Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo and Duterte administrations did not help any in the Filipinos’ proper appreciation of what really happened during the military rule years under Marcos. For instance, many are divided on the question of whether Ferdinand Marcos left a legacy of economic progress in the Philippines or was it just a temporary semblance of growth?
Filipinos who were alive in 1972-1986, and who were born after this period, will always be divided in their historical perspectives of the martial law years.
Even the commemoration activities of the event of Sept. 21, 1972 had been different through the years. Students and young professionals coming from the University of the Philippines never fail to hold rallies to condemn martial law. Many of them did not personally experience the terror they were protesting against. Their condemnation and rage against Marcos, his family and cronies, including the whole political system that he created called New Society, necessarily came from secondary sources.
There was even a year when ex-President Rodrigo Duterte was faced with a serious political challenge from the yellow crowd, opposition parties and the Leftist movement that he declared September 21 a national day of protest to have a reason for suspending classes and lessening the participation of youth and students in the activities.
History is the silent witness to how Malaya Business Insight, then called Ang Pahayagang Malaya, stood up for lofty principles of truth, freedom, justice and patriotism during the dark days of martial law.
Malaya stands on its own record of exemplary adherence to the tradition and tenets of fair journalism, even when times were hard and those in the media community had to live dangerously.
More than half a century later, defenders of truth and justice are again called on to fight for these causes.
Security forces should be reminded to always uphold the law, especially the Constitution, for rulers holding court in the seat of power in Malacañang are not there forever, and officials in government may try to dim their collective memories but the masses of our people will never forget.
