Topic: Ferdinand Marcos

The Monitor's View: For journalists and Internet, 2013 must not repeat 2012

Record assaults on journalists in 2012 and official moves to censor the Internet show how much authoritarian regimes fear the truth. Perhaps in 2013, truth-tellers will start to win.

An appreciation: longtime Monitor journalist Guy Halverson

Guy O. Halverson was a Monitor correspondent with a varied writing career that spanned more than 35 years. His award-winning journalism led the way against drunk driving and Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Who wants to become a lawyer when you can report on Watergate?

Libya erupts as Qaddafi's compound falls to rebels

The sprawling Bab al-Aziziya – the symbolic heart of Muammar Qaddafi's regime – fell to the Libyan rebels today, sparking wild celebrations in much of Libya.

The Monitor's View: Obama must tell Saudi Arabia to keep Yemen's Saleh

Yemen's leader must not be allowed to return. America's interest lies in the democratic aspirations of young Arabs, not oil. Obama should shift the Saudi relationship to one of universal values.

People-powered democratic revolts - do they last?

Analyzing a selection of political revolutions - successful and not - around the globe since World War II

Swiss freeze Qaddafi assets: How dictators stash their cash 101

Switzerland froze the assets of Libya strongman Muammar Qaddafi and 26 other people from his entourage, less than two weeks after freezing assets belonging to Egypt's Hosni Mubarak.

Arab revolts: What would Reagan do?

President Reagan's championship of the unfree would have made him deeply sympathetic to the Egyptian protesters who toppled President Hosni Mubarak. Despite initial wavering, President Obama's response was in line with what Reagan might have done – let ideals triumph over the maneuverings of diplomacy.

Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heading out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Read our list of ousted world leaders who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere.

Editorial Board Blog
How history might really be made in Egypt

Yes, the power of ideas such as freedom drives the protests in Egypt. But a surprise glitch might bring down Hosni Mubarak, as it did Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, church and state row over family planning

In the Philippines, where the intersection between faith and politics has long shaped the country's development, the debate surrounding a family planning bill is pitting the president of the country against the influential Catholic Church.

Benigno Aquino inaugurated as Philippines president

Benigno Aquino III was inaugurated Wednesday after a solid win in May's Philippines election enshrined him as one of the country’s most popular leaders. A larger task will be to emerge from his parents' shadow.

Benigno Aquino III takes oath of office; sworn in as Philippine leader

Benigno Aquino III was sworn in Wednesday as the Philippines' 15th president. Benigno Aquino was joined by diplomats from more than 80 countries and two former Philippine presidents at the ceremony.

Editorial Board Blog
In Philippines election, a tale of courage behind the Aquino success

Benigno Aquino leads Philippine election results

Philippine election results 2010 are mostly in. Presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino leads with 40 percent and Joseph Estrada follows with 26 percent.

For Filipinos, English proficiency is fading

Spoken English is no longer the official language in the Philippines. Filipino businesses bemoan the loss of Filipino English speakers. The government is responding with mandatory English proficiency classes in schools.

Philippine election results: Voters test new electronic voting system

The leading candidate in early Philippine election results, Benigno Aquino, was not able to cast his vote because an electronic voting machine malfunctioned.

Candidates host carnival-like rallies ahead of Philippines election

Top candidates in next week's Philippines election have all cast themselves as the anticorruption leader. But they're focusing less on reform than on entertaining voters with singers, dancers, balloons, and prize giveaways.

Philippines election: Doubts arise over electronic voting machines

New computerized electronic voting machines are meant to prevent fraud in Philippines election in May. But in tests, the voting machines rejected ballots and failed to connect to the cell phone networks to transmit results.

Philippines Mayon volcano eruption: a photo op for politicians

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo and two candidates hoping to succeed her next year are visiting refugees ahead of the imminent Mayon volcano eruption, both showing sympathy for the refugees' plight and associating themselves with a smooth evacuation.

Terrorism & Security
Philippines police name 161 suspects in Maguindanao massacre

The Philippines police named suspects that include government militiamen and members of the Ampatuan clan in last month's massacre in Maguindanao.

Philippines' Arroyo draws criticism for martial law

One day after Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imposed martial law in Maguindanao Province, where her allies are linked to a recent massacre, critics have raised questions about her political motives and the potential for abuses.

Global News Blog
Philippines political violence on Mindanao leaves 35 dead

Philippines political violence claims 35 lives on the southern island of Mindanao. An adviser to President Gloria Arroyo calls it a "massacre... unequaled in recent history."

Blame game intensifies over Philippines typhoon response

The Philippines were hit hard by two recent storms. Critics say politicians have ignored repeated warnings of the capital's vulnerability.

The Monitor's View: How to free Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi

As Obama reviews US policy toward the Burmese regime, he must look to the country's Buddhists.

Global News Blog
Corazon Aquino leaves Philippines legacy of democracy

After her husband's murder catapulted her into a national leadership role, Cory Aquino helped bring down the Marcos dictatorship.