A self-proclaimed " plain housewife " , she was married to Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. , the staunchest critic of President Marcos . She emerged as leader of the opposition after her husband was assassinated on 21 August 1983 upon returning to the Philippines from exile in the United States . In late 1985 , Marcos called for snap elections , and Aquino ran for president with former senator Salvador Laurel as her running mate for vice president . After the elections were held on 7 February 1986 , the Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos and his running mate Arturo Tolentino as the winners ; allegations were made of electoral fraud , with Aquino calling for massive civil disobedience actions . Defections from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the support of the local Catholic hierarchy led to the People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos and secured Aquino 's accession on 25 February 1986
was assassinated
Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.
Corazon Aquino