Falling Away from Marcos

An inexorable process leading to the downfall of Philippines President Ferdinand E. Marcos appears to be underway. That is as it should be. The election that Marcos had hoped would divide his political opponents while reconfirming his tenure has instead exposed more brazenly than ever the utter corruption and cynicism of his regime. Notice has now been served that neither those Filipinos who voted for Mrs. Corazon Aquino--by all credible accounts a clear majority--nor the United States will accept the faked results.

Aquino, strongly supported by the bishops of a Roman Catholic Church that has influence over 83% of Filipinos, has outlined a responsible course of action. She has called for continuing peaceful protests to denounce Marcos’ usurpation. She has proposed a consumer boycott of the banks, newspapers and major businesses that have been key Marcos supporters, and that have benefitted economically from his tenure. And she has advocated selective strikes and other forms of passive resistance aimed at weakening the regime.

Domestic confidence in the economy, already shaken after two years of negative economic growth, has plunged still further. Evidence that Marcos literally printed new money to cover his election bribery is certain to chill still further the hearts of those international lenders whose help is essential if the economy of the Philippines is to be rescued.

Pressures from the United States are also growing. President Reagan, after first hinting at a willingness to stick with Marcos, has had wiser second thoughts and now finds his electoral victory tarnished by fraud and violence. In Congress, condemnations of Marcos are rising. In all this, two policy imperatives are obvious. The first is to disaffiliate Washington as quickly, clearly and fully as possible from the collapsing regime in Manila. The second is to strengthen ties with Filipino democratic forces both in the political sector and in the army, whose future role could well be decisive.

Marcos and his cronies still have some cards to play as they scramble to hold on to power. The reimposition of martial law is one. But the iron fist would only intensify the alienation that is now so evident between Marcos and the people he has ruled for 20 years. At best he can buy time, not loyalty and not obedience and certainly not the political survival that he so desperately sought to assure with his fraudulent electoral victory.