The 1986 Snap Elections

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 7, 1986

The 1986 presidential and vice-presidential “snap” elections was held with President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former Senate President Arturo M. Tolentino under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party running against the united opposition’s Corazon C. Aquino and former Senator Salvador H. Laurel. 

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chaired by Ramon Felipe, showed that Marcos won with 53.62% or 10,807,197 votes against Aquino’s 46.10% or 9,291,761 votes, or a 1,515,436 votes ahead in favor of Marcos. 

The National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) guarded the ballots. 

The Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos and Tolentino as winners in the presidential and vice presidential race but the opposition led by Cory Aquino refused to accept the results. 

They called for a nationwide protests and civil disobedience against Marcos. 

On February 22, Juan Ponce Enrile, the Secretary of National Defense and General Fidel V. Ramos, chief of the Philippine Constabulary, issued a joint statement asking for Marcos to resign. 

Guarded by several hundreds of troops, they established their headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. 

Marcos ordered his loyal troops to suppress the uprising. Jaime Cardinal Sin, who gave his support to the opposition candidates, called on the people to bring food and supplies to the rebels. 

These events led to the EDSA People Power Revolution which saw to the ouster of Marcos and the installation of Corazon C. Aquino as the new president.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: Pinoy History