Power is a great thing to behold. “How one uses it often reflects one’s personal values and beliefs. Thus, at one extreme might be individuals who view power as an opportunity to better the lives of others and improve society. And, at the other extremes might be individuals who view it as a license to pursue selfish goals.” (Lee-chai & Bargh 57). For the people who survived the Marcos regime, they know certainly that Marcos was one of the latter. From a potent leader, he became obsessed with his position thus resulting to his abuse of power. In doing so, he became the dictator of a time, which a lot of Filipinos consider as one of the darkest years in Philippine history. His rise to power and the dictatorship he established was a product of both personal ambition and historical currents, both international and local. Unfortunately for present and future generations, however, this dark chapter in our history still remains unsettled.

Ferdinand Marcos, son of a Filipino politician, Mariano Marcos was a UP Law graduate and was a very intellectually competent person. He once served as his own lawyer in an appeal of a case in which he was convicted guilty. Because of his ability as a lawyer, he impressed the Supreme Court judge and at the same time was granted acquittal. One cannot deny the brilliance that Marcos possesses. And with this brilliance, he was able to climb the political ladder and reach heights only a few were able to get to. We could just wonder how can such a brilliant man (like others before him) succumb to power and become so ignorant. In a book it says, “Power changes people, inducing them to pursue selfish ends” (Lee-chai & Bargh 58). Irrefutably, Marcos pursued his own selfish ends, and it was not pretty.

Having said that he has political brilliance, it was expected that he would pursue a career in politics. From being a congressman, he became a