Table of ContentsIntroductionFerdinand Marcos: Illusion of the Golden EraFerdinand Marcos' Dark Legacy as LeaderConclusionReferencesIntroductionThe Horrible Tragedies Throughout Ferdinand's Reign Marcos as leader has been every Filipino's worst nightmare; those who witnessed his cruelty and malevolence still suffer today. On September 21, 1972, former President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the Philippines under martial law. He implemented it with one goal: to save the Republic and reform society. However, others might disagree. Some may refer to this stage in the country's history as the golden years of the Philippines; others are convinced that it is the darkest phase of Philippine history. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayFerdinand Marcos: Illusion of the Golden AgeMany perceive the declaration of martial law as the beginning of the age of Philippine gold. Ferdinand Marcos was one of the great political leaders of the 20th century. At the beginning of his reign, he showed a positive impression towards the society. He has built more roads, bridges and schools, more than all other presidents combined. According to World Bank data from the 1980s, the Philippines' GDP peaked after the declaration of martial law. However, the country fell below the threshold in which GDP fell drastically to -7.3 percent. It was the worst recession the Philippines had ever experienced and it continued for two successive years, from 1984 to 1985. Throughout this period, the Philippine economy oscillated and was attributed to the severe Marcos' dependence on foreign loans and his policy of creating monopolies below the standard of excellence. Marcos' friends. Moreover, in 1973 and 1976 it reached almost 9 percent and it was partly due to the prices of major Philippine commodity exports such as coconuts and sugar. With the implementation of curfew and strict control over the nation, people became more disciplined and crime rates such as murder, robbery and other crimes decreased during this period. During the period of martial law, many dark tragedies left trauma to the citizens of this nation. For many, Ferdinand Marcos fits the very definition of a dictator: cruel, corrupt and despicable. From the start of his second term, Marcos's hold on power was called into question. Tens of thousands of students begin to protest against poverty and corruption. Bonifacio Iligan, who was a young student during martial law, remembers the fear and excitement in the streets. He was among the multitude that threw stones and rocks. “Once they took me to the garage, there were a lot of them. I saw someone applying soap to a stick. They ordered me to pull down my pants and underwear and try to insert the stick into my genitals,” he said. “I was twenty-three years old, I was crying,” he added. According to Amnesty International, thirty-four thousand people were tormented and seventy thousand detained, while approximately three thousand two hundred and forty individuals were executed between 1972 and 1981. Thousands of Filipinos were subjected to various forms of torture: they were electrocuted, beaten, suffocated. and burned with a level press or cigars. Water was poured down their throats, then they were stopped from beating. The women were stripped naked and attacked, various objects introduced from./.