The fourth inauguration of Ferdinand Marcos as the tenth president of the Philippines took place on Tuesday, February 25, 1986, at Malacañang Palace in Manila. The inauguration marked the commencement of the fourth term (and final term) of Ferdinand Marcos as president. Marcos eventually stepped down as president a few hours later while the 3-day mass demonstrations were taking place.
Background
In November 1985, Ferdinand Marcos, who was president of the Philippines for almost 2 decades announced for a Snap presidential elections that took place on February 7, 1986, amidst the growing political tensions in the country following the assassination of prominent opposition leader and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. more than two years ago. Marcos would ran again for re-election with Arturo Tolentino as his running-mate. His main opponent was Corazon Aquino, widow of former senator Aquino. In the official canvassing by the Commission on Elections, Marcos was prevailing while the National Movement for Free Elections favored Aquino. Despite the massive fraud in the elections, the Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos as the duly-elected president.
On February 22, 1986, then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and then-Lieutenant General Fidel Ramos, Vice Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines broke away from the Marcos regime, signaling the start of the People Power Revolution.
Inaugural events
On February 25, 1986, hours after Corazon Aquino took her oath as president of the Philippines, Marcos held his own inauguration at the Malacañang Palace, attended by thousands of his loyal supporters. Foreign dignitaries were unable to attend for security reasons. Marcos would emerged from the balcony of the Maharlika Hall in front of his loyalists who were waving Philippine flags, thanking him for their trust and support for 20 years.
Television coverage
The coverage of the inauguration was televised over RPN channel 9, owned by Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto, as the government's primary station channel 4 was taken over by rebels. However, it was cut-off as rebel soldiers captured the transmitter facility of channel 9.