The controversial
1986 Philippine presidential election is the culminating event that led to the
People Power Revolution which deposed
Ferdinand Marcos as president and installed
Corazon Aquino as the new president of the country. Marcos' administration was noted for its authoritarian rule, especially under the
Martial law era. A provisional government was proclaimed in March 1986 by Aquino with the adoption of an interim constitution, informally called "Freedom Constitution" by her administration. She did not officially proclaim a "
revolutionary government" which some of her aides advised as too inflammatory. Aquino also abolished the
Batasang Pambansa, the national legislature previously dominated by Marcos' party the
Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, and claimed legislative powers for herself. In April 1986, the
1986 Constitutional Commission (ConCom) was formed to draft a new constitution. Aquino named the initial 45 members the following month. They came from different political and religious backgrounds, and were themselves appointed rather than elected. No communists were named to the body, but Aquino allotted at least five slots to affiliates of Marcos' administration. The first session of the ConCom was held on June 2, 1986. The draft constitution passed by the ConCom on October 12, 1986, and was presented to President Aquino three days later. The draft constitution was subject to
a plebiscite on February 2, 1987. The results of the plebiscite was announced on February 11, 1987, with 16,622,111 or 76.30% of voters in favor of the draft. The 1987 Philippine Constitution was announced as ratified on the same day. ==Government==