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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-28/ferdinand-marcos-1969-inaugural.webp" alt="Ferdinand Marcos taking the presidential oath in 1965, standing beside his family on the inauguration platform." loading="lazy" />
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Ferdinand E. Marcos is sworn in as president of the Philippines in 1965, with his family beside him on the inauguration stage.
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<h2>
The Dumaguete speech
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<p>
Speaking before civic leaders in Dumaguete, Marcos framed his presidential bid as part of a broader program to "orient" the nation and give it enough momentum that it would keep moving forward regardless of "political accidents" or changes in leadership. He used the occasion not only to signal his willingness to challenge the incumbent president, but also to pressure Macapagal to honor his one‑term promise and to pursue economic reforms more vigorously.
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<p>
Marcos's statement in Dumaguete is often cited as the moment when his long‑nurtured ambition for the presidency was openly declared, turning what had been political speculation into a formal announcement. Coming from the sitting Senate president, the declaration immediately reshaped the political landscape less than two years before the 1965 national elections.
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<h2>
Marcos's rise before 1964
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<p>
Before his 1964 announcement, Marcos had already built a substantial political career. He served three consecutive terms as representative of the 2nd district of Ilocos Norte from 1949 to 1959, gaining national prominence within the Liberal Party. In 1959 he was elected to the Senate, where he later became Senate minority floor leader and a key figure in debates on economic and security policy.
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<p>
From 1963 to 1965, Marcos served as president of the Philippine Senate, a position that placed him at the center of legislative activity in the pre‑martial law era. He became known as a prolific author of bills, with many of his proposed measures eventually enacted into law, a record his supporters frequently highlighted when presenting him as a capable national leader.
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Marcos Presidential Bid Announced: March 2, 1964

On March 2, 1964, Senate President Ferdinand Marcos announced his presidential bid in Dumaguete - setting the stage for his 1965 victory over Macapagal.

March 2, 1964: Senate President Marcos announced he is seeking the Presidency