On this fifth year of the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani we are reminded of the massive corruption and tyranny that marked his rule. Human rights groups recorded 3,257 cases of extra-judicial killings, 35,000 cases of torture and 70,000 people incarcerated during this dark chapter in our nation’s history. $10 billion was amassed by the dictator Marcos. His material possessions including jewelry when his family fled from Malacanang on February 25, 1986 were valued at $15 million. People-oriented development work started during his reign of terror as poor and marginalized communities were deprived of social services. Similar to what is happening now, mere suspicion of being communist sympathizers resulted to illegal arrests and detentions with community members being displaced and forced to evacuate from their residences. Many of today’s development workers were witness to the people’s movements and struggles for land and freedom and livelihood and genuine development during the Marcos dictatorship. They continue their work up to the present while honoring the sacrifices of those who died while doing development work including Zara Alvarez, Atty. Benjamin Ramos Jr. and Elena Tijamo.The return of the Marcoses along with the Dutertes through the forthcoming elections will bring the country back to the dark days of Marcos rule and continue the state terrorism of the Duterte regime. We will not allow this to happen. ASCENT continues the call for the defeat of the Marcos-Duterte tandem.