A TikTok video from 2021 loaded with a ton of claims about the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos has again made rounds recently. One of the key claims of the video is that the late dictator built the Manila International Airport (MIA), which was eventually renamed as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, and even instituted several government agencies including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Social Security System (SSS), and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), among others.

CLAIM:

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos spearheaded the construction of NAIA and PGH, and instituted key government agencies including TESDA, SSS, and GSIS.

RATING:

FALSE

FACTS:

While improvements and several infrastructure developments for MIA – now called NAIA – has indeed been done under the Marcos administration, the airport has in fact been in operation years before his presidency. The airport complex located in the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, has been in operation after its transfer in 1948 from the former location in Grace Park Airfield in Caloocan City.

Meanwhile, the PGH was created in 1907 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1688, and was opened to the public by September 1910.

The TESDA was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 7796 signed by former President Fidel V, Ramos in 1994. The SSS, on the other hand, was established in 1954 through the passage of Republic Act No. 1164. Also, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) was created through Commonwealth Act No.186, which was passed by the National Assembly in 1936.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

The Marcos administration has been known for having an “edifice complex,” as his administration has indeed spearheaded the construction of several big-ticket infrastructure. However, various documents reveal that these projects not only ballooned the country’s foreign debt from $360 million when Marcos came into power in 1962, to around $28.3 billion when he was ousted in 1986, the projects have also become major sources of “gross overspending, garishness, and corruption.”

Due to the long list of infrastructure projects initiated by the Marcos administration, it has become easy for some to conveniently add projects to that list, just as what the TikTok video in question has done. The Tiktok user @marymy143 who uploaded the video also has 93.6 thousand followers, and as of writing, the video has reached 788,800 views, 91,000 likes, 6,082 comments, and 4,765 shares. – Joemilyn Abareta & Ma. Connie Naag

Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.

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