The Election of Ferdinand E. Marcos
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In the elections of 1965, Senator Ferdinand E. Marcos, a Liberal, changed affiliation and become the candidate for president of the Nacionalista party. With the help of Imelda Romualdez, his pretty wife, on the campaign trail, he easily won against reelectionist Macapagal in what was later characterized as a “rigged” election. Marcos soon announced his ambitious program of government. This included the following:
1. The production of more rice and the diversification of crops in order to attain self-sufficiency in foodstuffs.
2. The implementation of the land reform program.
3. Community development in order to “strengthen further our social, economic, and political base.”
Marcos worked hard to attain his program of government, but many politicians blocked his plans. In 1969 Marcos ran for reelection and was reelected.
Mrs. Marcos helped him do his job. She led a campaign for the relief of the poor and the unfortunate. She obtained funds for financial and other help for leprosaria and hospitals. She led in distributing goods and medicine to the poor. She was active not only in civic work but in cultural affairs as well.
Through her efforts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines was built to give artists—painters, sculptors, writers, etc.—a chance to prove their worth by giving them the facilities of the center.
Expensive plays and other cultural presentations like concerts and ballets were staged in the center, charging low prices so that the common people and the poor could go and see them.
