During his tenure, he made many efforts to improve the state of his country. One of his first moves was the release of political prisoners unjustly held by Marcos. He then called elections to replace those in office who still favored Marcos to create a congress more chosen by the citizens. Media offices used for Marcos' propaganda were also abolished and freedom of the press was restored. The government under President Aquino then created the Office of the Peace Commissioner (OPC) assigned to internal conflict through peaceful methods (The Aquino Management, "1992). Within the first year of President Aquino's term, the government managed to reduce its debt which had been accumulated by Marcos for 4 billion dollars ("Manila Plan", 1992). Economically, also the Philippines' relations with the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe and its Asian neighbors -Pacific strengthened in India, Vietnam and Myanmar and entered into trade agreements with Indonesia and Singapore ("The Aquino Management,"