Put forward by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and MP Cecilia Muñoz-Palma and MPs Marcelo Fernan and Homobono Adaza, they considered it possible for the President to reform government with the current constitution. The second option was to retain the 1973 Constitution promulgated under Marcos, which stipulated, among others, a unicameral legislature that was elected in 1984 for a yet unexpired five-year term. This was, however, seen as impossible because institutions, such as the bicameral legislature, had been abolished by Marcos and a general elections would have to be called. Members of her government, such as Information Minister Teodoro Locsin Jr., argued that the 1973 Constitution was never ratified. With Marcos gone, the newly established government considered three options for reconstituting the republic:įirst was to do away with all Marcosian influence and return to the 1935 constitution, which was in use until the Septemdeclaration of Martial Law. Their claim to power, as stated, was derived from “the sovereign will of the Filipino people as manifested in the Snap Elections of February 7, 1986.”

1, declaring she and Salvador Laurel had taken over the powers of the Presidency and the Vice Presidency, respectively. They would be taken to Clark Air Base en route to exile in Hawaii.

That night, the beleaguered Marcos, his family, and cronies fled Malacañan Palace aboard American helicopters. Aquino, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, to serve and defend its fundamental laws, execute its just laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the nation. Aquino’s oath avoided making any reference to the constitution in force and revised the Presidential oath as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. According to the 1973 Constitution, the oath of the President was: Aquino took her oath in Club Filipino, administered by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee. Marcos had taken his oath in Maharlika Hall (later renamed Kalayaan Hall), administered by Chief Justice Ramon Aquino, with a throng of loyalists assembled in the Palace grounds. On February 25, the Philippines had the unusual situation of having two Presidents. This was followed by a call to mass action by civil society and the Catholic hierarchy. Political and military defections rocked the government, culminating in a failed coup attempt lead by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Gen. The fallout from the elections led to immense international and internal pressure on the Marcos regime. led an opposition walkout from the election proceedings. In protest against the massive electoral fraud, Minority Leader and former House Speaker Jose B. Laurel.Įight days after an election characterized by voter intimidation and violence, the Batasang Pambansa, dominated by Marcos allies, proclaimed him reelected based on the official Commission on Elections (COMELEC) results. Aquino Jr., and former Senator Salvador H. Aquino, widow of martyred opposition Senator Benigno S. The Februelections pit the powerhouse administration tandem of President Marcos and MP Arturo Tolentino of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) against the United Democratic Opposition (UNIDO) candidates: Corazon C. Notwithstanding he had been reelected President only five years earlier-when he ran against former Secretary of Defense Alejo Santos-the snap elections was evidently an attempt by the ailing autocrat to stabilize his regime by lending it some sort of popular legitimacy. Basahin sa Filipino The 1987 Constitution: A chronological narrativeĪfter more than 20 years in power, President Ferdinand Marcos bowed to domestic and international pressure, and announced that snap elections will be held in February 7, 1986.

Fallout power to the people