The Philippines: Cory Decides to Get Tougher

Cory Decides to Get Tougher

After Arturo Tolentino, an ally of ousted Leader Ferdinand Marcos, tried to seize power last month, Philippine President Corazon ("Cory") Aquino offered him clemency. But Tolentino refused to swear allegiance to Aquino's provisional constitution. Last week the Aquino government responded by formally charging Tolentino and 30 other Marcos supporters with rebellion. Under a Marcos-era decree, a person found guilty of leading a rebellion can be

punished by death. In a separate legal move, a special commission ruled that pressure from Marcos had "predetermined" last year's acquittal of 26 defendants accused of the 1983 killing of Aquino's husband Benigno. The commission recommended...

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