Rafael Aquino

In the diary of Ferdinand Marcos, he mentioned Rafael Aquino as one of the earliest arrests made during Martial Law. He recalls meeting with Justices of the Supreme Court regarding the petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed by Jose Diokno, Chino Roces, Max Soliven and many others who were included in the first batch of arrests. The Justices insisted on reviewing the constitutionality of Proclamation No. 1081 and Marcos told them off, declaring that if necessary, he would establish a revolutionary government to disregard their actions.[1]

Marcos later amended his General Order Nos. 1 and 3, assuming all powers including legislative and judiciary. It is here that he justifies his actions to assume further control as he claims his administration has impressed everybody with their fairness by the arrest of Aquino, Congressman Roque Ablan and Governor Luis Bocalan.[2] Aside from them, the likes of labor leaders Felixberto “Bert” Olalia and Cipriano Cid, as well as journalists Soliven, Roces, Teodoro Locsin, Eugenio Lopez Jr., among others, were also part of those arrested early on.[3] Other than this mention by Marcos himself, no other sources can be found detailing the life of Rafael Aquino and what he did during Martial Law. All available books were checked to no avail as well.

Given the current situation of the country as Filipinos face the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting research, accessing sources and visiting archives have been made more difficult. At this time, it is not possible to construct a satisfactory profile on Aquino that will do him justice. This profile will be updated as more sources become available. Nevertheless, Rafael Aquino is given recognition as one of the motu proprio victims of the Martial Law period.

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References:

 Forbes, Amy. “Courageous women in media: Marcos and censorship in the Philippines.” Pacific Journalism Review, 21, no. 1 (2015). 195-210. Accessed May 20, 2021. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/38499/3/38499%20Forbes%202015%20accepted%20version.pdf.

Marcos, Ferdinand E. “Marcos Diary Entry, 24 September 1972.” Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies 27-28 (2012-2013): 503-508. Accessed May 20, 2021. https://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/view/5911/5273.

[1] Ferdinand E. Marcos, “Marcos Diary Entry, 24 September 1972,” Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies 27-28 (2012-2013): 503-508, accessed May 20, 2021, https://www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/view/5911/5273.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Amy Forbes, “Courageous women in media: Marcos and censorship in the Philippines,” Pacific Journalism Review, 21, no. 1 (2015). 195-210, accessed May 20, 2021, https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/38499/3/38499%20Forbes%202015%20accepted%20version.pdf.