Provisional Government of the Philippines (1986–1987) explained

Conventional Long Name:Provisional Government of the Philippines
Common Name:the Philippines
Event Pre:People Power Revolution
Date Pre:February 22–25, 1986
Event Start:Corazon Aquino inaugurated
Date Start:February 25,
Year Start:1986
Event1:Provisional Constitution
Date Event1:March 25, 1986
Event End:1987 Constitution adopted
Date End:February 2,
Year End:1987
P1:Fourth Republic of the Philippines
Flag P1:Flag of the Philippines (1985–1986).svg
S1:History of the Philippines (1986–present)Fifth Republic of the Philippines
Flag S1:Flag of the Philippines (1936–1985, 1986–1998).svg
Flag:Flag of the Philippines
Image Map Caption:Location of the Philippines in Southeast Asia.
National Anthem:Filipino; Pilipino: [[Lupang Hinirang]]

Capital:Manila (de jure)
14.6333°N 178°W
Metro Manila (de facto)
Largest City:Quezon City
14.65°N 123°W
Common Languages:Filipino (official)
English
Other regional languages
Government Type:Provisional revolutionary government
Title Leader:President
Leader1:Corazon Aquino
Year Leader1:1986–1987
Title Deputy:Vice President
Deputy1:Salvador Laurel
Year Deputy1:1986–1987
Legislature:None (parliament dissolved)
Currency:Philippine peso (₱)
Time Zone:PST
Utc Offset:+08:00
Date Format:
  • //
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Drives On:right
Today:Philippines

A provisional revolutionary government was set up in the Philippines following the People Power Revolution which ended on February 25, 1986. The revolution removed President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled as a dictator, from office and installed Corazon Aquino as the new president of the country.[1] [2]

History

The controversial 1986 Philippine presidential election is the culminating event that led to the People Power Revolution which deposed Ferdinand Marcos as president and installed Corazon Aquino as the new president of the country. Marcos' administration was noted for its authoritarian rule, especially under the Martial law era.[1]

The Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People's ArmyNational Democratic Front (CPP–NPA–NDF) initiated talks for a ceasefire following Aquino's ascendancy to the presidency and praised the 1986 revolution for restoring civil liberties and freeing 500 political prisoners but remained wary of "United States imperialism" and figures it considers as reactionaries within the Philippine military.[3]

A provisional government was proclaimed in March 1986 by Aquino with the adoption of an interim constitution, informally called "Freedom Constitution" by her administration. She did not officially proclaim a "revolutionary government" which some of her aides advised as too inflammatory. Aquino also abolished the Batasang Pambansa, the national legislature previously dominated by Marcos' party the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, and claimed legislative powers for herself.[1] The interim constitution replaced the 1973 constitution adopted during Marcos' administration.[3]

Aquino had vast personal powers under the provisional constitution.[2] This includes the power to remove and replace local government officials during the transition period.[1] Supporters of Aquino's measures backed near absolute powers given by the interim constitution as necessary so that the "dictatorial" machinery of Marcos could be dismantled while opponents argue that such powers could also make Aquino's government a dictatorship.[3] She projected that a regular government under a new constitution would be in place within a year.[2]

The Presidential Committee on Human Rights and the Presidential Commission on Good Government was established, with the latter tasked to investigate cases of graft and corruption and recover ill-gotten assets by the Marcos administration and their affiliates for the government. Censorship was relaxed, with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for example evaluated and suggested to function as a classification board instead as a censorship body.[4]

In April 1986, the 1986 Constitutional Commission (ConCom) was formed to draft a new constitution.[5] Aquino named the initial 45 members the following month, coming from different political and religious backgrounds, are appointed rather than elected. No communists were named to the body, but Aquino allotted at least five slots to affiliates of Marcos' administration.[6] The first session of the ConCom was held on June 2, 1986.[5]

Marcos' vice presidential running mate in the 1986 elections, Arturo Tolentino proclaimed himself as acting president on July 6, 1986, under the 1973 Constitution during a coup attempt which lasted for two days. He was backed by soldiers at the Manila Hotel.[7] [4] [8] [9]

The draft constitution passed by the ConCom on October 12, 1986, and was presented to President Aquino three days later. The draft constitution was subject to a plebiscite on February 2, 1987. The results of the plebiscite was announced on February 11, 1987, with 16,622,111 or 76.30% of voters in favor of the draft. The 1987 Philippine Constitution was announced as ratified on the same day.[5]

Government

The Provisional Government of the Philippines in 1986 to 1987 functioned as an Interim provisional revolutionary government, although never was officially characterized as such.[4] [10] The legislative powers under the provisional government was exercised by the President with the abolishment of the Batasang Pambansa.[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Clines . Francis X. . Aquino Proclaims Interim Government . 17 August 2021 . The New York Times . 26 March 1986.
  2. News: Cawley . Janet . 'Freedom Constitution' Gives Aquino Free Reign Reign . 17 August 2021 . Chicago Tribune . 26 March 1986.
  3. News: Branigin . William . Aquino Set to Declare Provisional Rule Today . 15 October 2021 . Washington Post . 25 March 1986.
  4. Abraham . Pedro R. . Aquino's first months . Index on Censorship . September 1986 . 15 . 8 . 9–10, 36 . 10.1080/03064228608534138. 144623886 . free .
  5. News: FAST FACTS: 1987 Philippine Constitution . 15 October 2021 . Rappler . 2 February 2016 . en.
  6. News: Aquino names 45 to write Constitution . 15 October 2021 . The New York Times . 26 May 1986.
  7. News: Yabes . Criselda . Marcos' Man Tolentino Declares Himself President . 15 October 2021 . Associated Press News . 7 July 1986.
  8. News: Marcos Denies Urging Coup in the Philippines . 15 October 2021 . The New York Times . 9 July 1986.
  9. News: GMA, former Senate colleagues pay tribute to Arturo Tolentino, 94 . 15 October 2021 . The Philippine Star . 4 August 2004.
  10. News: Malindog-Uy . Anna . Can "Rev-Gov" Heal All In The Philippines? . 15 October 2021 . The ASEAN Post . 30 August 2020.