RP better during martial law period, says Marcos son

The Philippines was actually in a better shape during the martial law era that started 38 years ago, the son of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday. "Ako ang tinatanong n'yo, eh ang pangalan ko Ferdinand Marcos. Alam ninyo ang isasagot ko (You’re asking me, whose name is also Ferdinand Marcos. You know what I'm going to say)," Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters in an interview. The senator said that during his father's martial rule — imposed through Proclamation 1081 which was signed on September 21, 1972, until it was formally lifted in 1981 — the Philippines had a better standing in terms of international status, poverty rate, and financial stability. "If political will is properly exercised, nothing is impossible," he said. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, however, had earlier called on the public to remember the "evils" of martial law so that future generations won't have to go through the same experience. (See: Dark years of Marcos dictatorship ‘must not be forgotten’ – victims) "(This is) not only because we want to exact justice, but also because we cannot allow the future generation to experience what we experienced," he said. Former President Marcos ruled the country for 20 years, from December 30, 1965 to February 25, 1986. He served his first term as president from 1965 to 1969, then won another term that was supposed to run from 1969 to 1973. However, he imposed nationwide martial law on September 21, 1972 and tailored the 1973 Constitution to suit his plan to maintain an indefinite authoritarian rule. He formally lifted martial law in 1981, but kept tight control of the military and civilian bureaucracy until he was ousted in what is now called the EDSA or people power uprising in 1986. He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. Marcos' wife and their three children later returned to reclaim their assets and rebuild their political machinery. Apart from son Ferdinand Jr., who is serving his first term as senator, other members of the family who have made a successful comeback in politics include eldest child, Maria Imelda “Imee" Marcos, incumbent Ilocos Norte governor, and matriarch Imelda Marcos as representative of the province's second district.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV, GMANews.TV