Aquino, (Maria) Cory

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Aquino, (Maria) Cory ( Corazon) (1933– ) Philippine stateswoman, president (1986–92), b. Maria Corazon. In 1954 she married Benigno Aquino (1932–83), an outspoken opponent of the Marcos regime. While he was in prison (1973–81), Cory campaigned tirelessly for his release. Benigno was assassinated by Marcos' agents. Cory claimed to have defeated Marcos in the 1986 presidential election and accused the government of vote-rigging. A bloodless ‘people's revolution’ forced Marcos into exile. Aquino's administration was beset by economic obstacles and she survived a coup attempt only with US help (1989). Aquino declined to run for re-election in 1992, but supported the campaign of her successor Fidel Ramos.

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