READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Section 2
Ilagan, Sofia Jennine May 04, 2020
Prof. Mai G. Reyes Formative Assessment
DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW
3rd Critique Paper
In this article, we examined the actual date of declaration of Martial law which is under the
proclamation No. 1081 by the will of year President, President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The context
of this article is to investigate the actual date of declaration of Martial Law. Whether it was dated
on September 21, 1972 or September 23, 1972. I believe that the reason of the author writing this
article is to educate and give as clarifications upon the actual date of declaration. Moreover, readers
are encouraging to read between the lines to understand fully what the article wants to address.
Some sources believe that, on September 21 1972, Marcos signed the Proclamation No.
1081 because he was too convinced that any number that is divisible with number seven (7) is his
lucky number. However, in some cases, there are justifiable facts provided that September 23,
1972 is the actual declaration of Martial Law. One of the evidence is the diary written by President
Marcos. Marcos states that, after the ambush of Sec Juan Ponce Enrile, it is necessary to proclaim
Martial Law. From other articles, it is also stated there that six hours after the ambush, Marcos
signed the Proclamation No. 1081, placing the entire country under the Martial Law. Looking back
Word Count: 353