Proclamation No. 1081

Proclamation No. 1081 was the declaration of Martial Law by Philippine dictator and President Ferdinand E. Marcos that covered the entire Republic on September 21, 1972. It was announced to the public two days later.

Under the pretext of an unattempted assassination of his former Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile (now a Senator) and an ensuing Communist insurgency, Marcos ruled by military power through Martial Law, changed the Constitution of the Philippines in the subsequent year, made himself both Head of State as President and Head of Government as Prime Minister, manipulated elections and the political arena in the Philippines, and had his political party--Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) (English:New Society Movement) control the unicameral legislative branch of government called the "Batasang Pambansa". All these allowed Marcos to remain in power and to plunder.

The proclamation was actually signed on September 17, but was postdated four days later on September 21 because of Marcos' superstitions and numerology beliefs. Marcos formally announced the proclamation two days after on September 23, 1972 on live national television broadcast.

Martial law was lifted by Marcos on January 17, 1981.