Aquino, Corazon, << uh KEE noh, KAWR uh `zohn` >> (1933-2009), also known as Cory, was the first woman president of the Philippines. She held the office from 1986 to 1992. Her presidency returned democracy to the Philippines after the dictatorship of her predecessor, Ferdinand E. Marcos. Both Aquino and Marcos claimed victory in the February 1986 presidential election. The election was marked by fraud and violence. But Marcos fled abroad when large numbers of Filipinos backed military officers who demanded his resignation. Aquino then became president. She did not run for reelection in 1992.
Loading the player...Corazon Aquino at a speech
Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco was born on Jan. 25, 1933, in the province of Tarlac on the northern Philippine island of Luzon. She was born into a wealthy and politically influential family. She studied in the United States and graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent in New York City in 1953.
In 1954, she married Benigno S. “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., who later became the chief political rival of Ferdinand Marcos. From 1972 to 1980, Ninoy was imprisoned for his opposition to the Marcos regime. Marcos released Ninoy in 1980 so he could undergo a heart operation in the United States. Ninoy was joined in the United States by Corazon and their children. In 1983, Ninoy was assassinated when he returned to the Philippines. Corazon Aquino blamed the Marcos government for the murder. The Aquino family returned to the Philippines after the assassination. In November 1985, Marcos called for a presidential election, and Aquino rallied opposition to end his 20-year rule.
Shortly after becoming president, Aquino appointed a commission to draft a new constitution. In February 1987, Filipino voters approved the new constitution. Throughout her presidency, Aquino faced opposition from Marcos supporters, from members of the military who objected to negotiations with Communist guerrillas, and from groups who opposed U.S. influence in the Philippines. Members of the military tried several times to overthrow Aquino’s government but failed to do so.
Aquino died on Aug. 1, 2009. Cory and Ninoy’s son, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, served as president from 2010 to 2016.
See also Aquino, Benigno Simeon, Jr.; Aquino, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco, III; Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin; Philippines, History of the.
