Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines as a dictator from 1972 to 1981 under martial law, suspending civil liberties and ruling by decree. His regime was marked by corruption, human rights abuses, and massive government theft, earning him and Imelda the Guinness record for the largest theft from a government—until they scrubbed it before Bongbong’s 2022 presidency. The truth stinks, but it’s the truth. Check X for unfiltered takes from Filipinos who lived it.