Emilio Aguinaldo Emilio Aguinaldo was born on March 22, 1869 in Kawit, Cavite.

He was born from Chinese and Filipino heritage. His parents were Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy. He had a lot of experience being in the government. He was cabeza de barangay and municipal captain. He showed signs of being a born leader. Aguinaldo met Bonifacio in a Katipunan meeting in Manila. Bonifacio was pleased with him and Aguinaldo got many men, including his on municipal police to join the Katipunan. The Magdiwang and Madalo functions met in Imus, the Magdalo Capital on December 29, 1896. They agreed to form a new revolutionary government. They decided to elect the officers of this new government on March 22, 1897. The election would be held at the Tejeros Hacienda in General Trias, the Magdiwang Capital. On March 22, the day of the election, Aguinaldo was leading a battle in Pasong Tamo near Dasmarinas. Though absent, the 28-year old Aguinaldo was elected President of the new revolutionary government. The most important achievement Aguinaldo's dictatorship is the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. Aguinaldo changed the dictatorship to a revolutionary government. After the revolution against spain came the first Philippine Republic. It was inagurated in Malolos, Bulacan with Aguinaldo as president. It was the first democratic republic in Asia but lived only for two years and two months (January 23, 1899 - March 13, 1902). The Malolos constitution was the first democratic organic law ever made by Filipinos. Aguinaldo first turned it down on Mabini's advised but lated promulgated it after modifications. The United States at that time, bought the Philippines for 20 000 000 dollars from the Spaniard during the Treaty of Paris. The Americans were now conquering the Philippines little by little.. On March 31, 1899, Gen. MacArthur captured Malolos, the capital. Aguinaldo was forced to move it to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. The last capital was in Palanan, Isabela . There, he was finally captured by Gen. Funston and two Filipinos who pledged their allegiance to the United States. Aguinaldo died on February 6, 1964.

Manuel Luis Quezon Filipino statesman, Leader of the independence movement against the United States' annexation of the Philippines, and the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth established under United States tutelage in 1935. Manuel Luis Quezon was born in the small town of Baler province of Tayaas on August 19, 1879. His parents are Lucio Quezon and Maria Dolores Molina. He spent his early years in his hometown among the common folk. He studied at the San Juan de Letran college where he finished Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of sixteen (16). He also took up law at the University of Santo Tomas but was cut off because he participated in the struggle for independence against the United States, led by Emilio Aguinaldo. After Aguinaldo surrendered in 1901, Quezon returned to the University and obtained his degree in 1903 and practiced law for a year. Quezon was convinced that the only way to win independence was thrugh cooperation with the United States. He then ran for governor of Tayabas province in 1905. He served this post for two years before being elected as a representative of the newly established Philippine Assembly in 1907. In 1909, Quezon was appointed Resident Commissioner for the Philippines. He was entitled to speak, but not to vote, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He fought vigorously for a speedy grant of independence by the United States. Quezon played a major role in obtaining Congress passage in 1916 of the Jones Act, which pledged independence for the Philippines without giving a specific date when it would take effect. Quezon resigned as a commissioner and returned to Manila to be elected to the newly formed Philippine Senate in 1946. He subsequently served as its president until 1935. In 1922, he gained control of the Nacionalista party, which had previously been led by his rival Sergio Osmena. Quezon fought for passage of the Tydings McDuffie Act(1934) which provided for full independence for the Philippines. Ten years prior to this independence, a commonwealth government was created and Quezon was to become the president in 1941. As a President,Quezon believed that the government should be "more government and less politics". He tackled the huge problem of landless peasants in the countryside who still worked as tenants on large estates. He reorganized the islands military defense (aided by Gen. Douglas McArthur as his special adviser). He also promote the settlement and development of the large southern island of Mindanao, and fought graft and corruption in the government. After Japan invaded and occupied the Philippines in 1942, he went to United States, where he formed a government in exile, served as a member of the Pacific war council, and signed the declaration of the United Nations against the fascist nation He is best remembered as the "Father of the Philippine Language"

Jose P. Laurel The Japanese military authorities knew that they had failed to win the Filipino's symphaty. but until the end, they had really tried to "tame" the Filipinos and gain their trust. They knew that the filipinos were freedom loving and finally they conceded that Japan will grant the Philippines' independence as long as it will recognize Japan's program of establishing a Greater East Asia co-prosperity sphrere. The Filipino leaders, knew that the independence promise was empty but they could not laugh for it would mean execution. They created the Preparatory Commision for Philippine Independence. The delegates were chosen and 5 days later, Jose P. Laurel was elected president. With Laurel as president, the Republic tried to solve the grave economic and social prolems. Peace and order was in shambles due to the guerilla units. The lack of food was also a problem. Robbery was also a common problem during his administration. Laurel appealed to the guerillas not to aggravate the already bad situation. People may think that Pesident Laurel was just a "puppet" of the Japanese. But at least, in his own little way, he became a "symbol" of Philippine independence.

Sergio Osmena Sergio Osmena was the 2nd President of the Commonwealth. He became the President on August 1, 1944, right after thhe death of President Quezon. During his term, Osmena's problems were mountainous. He was also not really free to make decisions because most, if not all, were made by MacArthur, who acted like a proconsul. He always had been a peaceful and highly moral man, wanted peace not only within his party but more so for the country, for the national problems were of such magnitude and to solve these, it needed the unity and cooperation among the national leaders and the people. It was hard being president for Osmena. This was not only for the country's problems but also that his political disciple, Roxas, wanted to be president as soon as possible and MacArthur had no symphaty on him. On April 23, 1945, Roxas won over the aging Osmena who didn't even campaign for over 200,000 votes. Even though it was hard for Osmena, he was also responsible for the rehabilitation of the Philippine government after the war.

Manuel Roxas Political Leader and first President of the Independent Republic of the Philippines, Manuel Roxas was born on January 1, 1892, in Capiz, which is now known as Roxas City. His parents were Gerardo Roxas Sr. and Rosario Acuna. He took up Law in the University of the Philippines and graduated in 1913. Manuel Roxas began his political career as a member of the municipal council of his hometown Capiz. He soon became governor and was then elected to the Philippines House of Representative, subsequently serving as Speaker of the House and member of the Council of State. After World War II, Roxas was elected president of the commonwealth and was the last for independence was soon declaired (July 4, 1946). Although Roxas was successful in getting rehabilitation funds from the United States (The country was then in shambles), he was forced to concede military bases, trade resttrictions for Philippines citizens, and special privilages for U.S. property owner and investor. His administration was marred by graft and corruption; moreover, the abuses of the provincial military police contributed to the rise of the left-wing Hukbalahap(Huks) movement in the countryside. His heavy handed attempts to crush the Huks led to wide-spread peasant disaffection. Roxas did not stay long in office due to a heartattack in April 15, 1948.

Elpidio Quirino Political leader and second president of the Independent Republic of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino was born on November 16, 1890 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Vice- president Elpidio Quirino took his oath of office as president on April 17, 1948, two days after the death of Roxas. He continued the unexpired terms of Roxas. President Quirino inherited the unsolved problems of the Republic. Among these were peace and order, economic rehabilitation and restoration of faith and confidence in the government. Towards the middle part of the Roxas administration the strength of the Huks increased tremendously. Pres. Roxas, in an attempt to eliminate the problem issued a proclamation on March 6, 1948 declaring the Hukbalahap as an illegal association. This made the Huks enemies of the government. Arrest and shoot-to-kill orders were issued against them. Pres. Quirino approached the Huk problem differently. He initiated negotiations with the Huk leader, Luis Taruc, through his brother, Antonio Quirino. On June 21, 1948, Pres. Quirino issued a proclamation granting amnesty to all members of the Hukbalahap. The Huks were granted pardon for such crimes as rebellion, sedition, illegal association and disobedience to law. In return, the Huks agreed to surrender their arms to government authorities within fifty days after the grant of amnesty. However it did not work. On its 50th day, there was fighting between the Huks and government troops. Luis Taruc deplored the failure of Pres. Quirino to implement the reforms they demanded. With the failure of amnesty, Huk aggression continued. In 1950, the United States government sent a mission headed by Daniel Bill to evaluate the economic development of the country. It reported that economic development was quite slow. The government, too, was spending more than what it was earning. It then was beginning to be indebted heavily. Based on the recommendations of the Bill mission, the government signed the Quirino Foster Agreement in 1950. The agreement provided for a $200 million loan to the country. In the area of foreign trade, the Free Trade Act of 1946 was found to be disadvantages to the country. Pres. Quirino attempted to introduce the policy of economic nationalism. A bill was introduced in Congress to control importation. To boost agricultural production, the government created the Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA). The primary function of this institution was to extend loans to farmers and to facilitate the marketing of agricultural products. Rural banks were also opened to help farmers obtain agricultural loans. Another serious problem faced by the Quirino administration was the declining credibility of the government. The widespread poverty and acts of graft and corruption in some

government offices also contributed to the declining faith of the people in government. Scandalous transactions of some government officials lowered the prestige of government. On top of all these was the increasing threat of the Huks who burned and ransacked towns and barrios. Pres. Quirino tried to restore the people's faith in government. He conducted weekly broadcast at Malacaang to inform the people of the activities of the government. To help the poor and the needy, the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PACSA) was created. The government also approved the Minimum Wage Law who set the daily wage of laborers, teachers and other public employees.

Ramon Magsaysay Magsaysay was the third president of the Third Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953-March 17, 1957). His parents were Exequel Magsaysay and Perfecta Del Fiero. He studied in Castillejos (elementary) and Secondary Course at Zambales Academy, both in Zambales. He obtained a commercial degree in 1933 after studying in Jose Rizal College in Makati. His first experience of politics was when he served two terms (1946-1950) as a Liberal Party Congreswsman for Zambales. President Elpidio Quirino appointed him secretary of defense to solve a problem with the Huks, wherein their leader, Luis Taruc established a People's Liberation Army and called for the overthrow of the government. He carried one of the most anti-guerilla campaigns in modern history. He wanted to win the trust of the peasants after realizing that they couldn't survive withoput popular support. The Huks no longer became a threat after he offered land and tools to those who came over to the government side and hr insisted that army units treat the people with respect. He reformed the army, dismissing corrupt and incompetent officers and emphasizing mobility and flexibility in the combat operations against the guerillas. These resulted into a lot of enemies in the government and compelled him to resign after charging the Quirino administration of corruption and incompetence on February 28. Even if he was a Liberal, the Nacionalista Party backed him for presidency against Quirino in the 1963 elections, supported by Romulo. He was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman against communism during the Cold War. He died on March 17, 1957 because of a plane crash before the expiration of his presidency. He was replaced by Carlos P. Garcia. Many mourned because a well-loved leader was lost. He was also considered a legendary figure in Philippine Politics.

Carlos P. Garcia On March 18, 1957, the day after Magsaysay's death, vice -President Carlos P. Garcia took his oath as President of the Republic of the Philippines. He served the unexpired term of his predecessor. Pres. Garcia's administration was anchored on three basic policies. These were austerity, Filipino First Policy and cultural revival. "AUSTERITY PROGRAM" In his sincere desire to curb graft and corruption in the government, Pres. Garcia inaugurated an austerity program. He urged the people to lead simple lives and do away with luxurious lifestyles. He emphasized the values wise spending, industry, thrift, trustworthiness, integrity and honesty. Government officials and employees were reminded that a public office is a public trust and that graft and corruption destroy the people's trust in government. Pres. Garcia was not very successful in his austerity program. Graft and corruption was not totally eliminated but his efforts were timely in strengthening the people's faith and confidence in the democratic process of the government. "THE FILIPINO FIRST POLICY" The Garcia administration sustained the economic growth of the country by giving full support to agriculture. The other industries were also promoted. Transportation and infrastructure were maintained in support of the economy. It was Pres. Garcia who popularized economic nationalism through the Filipino First Policy. The Filipino First Policy gave priority or preference to Filipinos over all other foreigners in the acquisition of land and capital and in the operation of business, trade and industry. This encouraged Filipino businessman and entrepreneurs to engage activity in all economic activities in the country. The policy did not exclude foreigners were also allowed under the 60-40 percent equity. This meant that foreigners could invest capital up to 40 percent in any business or industry while the 60 percent were owned by Filipino citizens. The Filipino First policy also aimed to encourage the people to patronize Philippine-made products and to promote Filipino labor. "CULTURAL REVIVAL" Because of the long years of colonial occupation many Filipinos had adopted some of the ways of the Spaniards and the Americans. Pres. Garcia felt that some of the cultural traditions of the Filipinos should be revived. He sponsored the annual Republic Cultural Awards to Filipino artists, scientists, historians, and writers. He encouraged the world tours

of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and other folkdance groups. He also continued the wearing of the barong Tagalog during special occasions. Pres. Garcia also strengthened friendship with other countries particularly those of Southeast Asia. On March 18, 1957, the day after Magsaysay's death, vice -President Carlos P. Garcia took his oath as President of the Republic of the Philippines. He served the unexpired term of his predecessor. Pres. Garcia's administration was anchored on three basic policies. These were austerity, Filipino First Policy and cultural revival. "AUSTERITY PROGRAM" In his sincere desire to curb graft and corruption in the government, Pres. Garcia inaugurated an austerity program. He urged the people to lead simple lives and do away with luxurious lifestyles. He emphasized the values wise spending, industry, thrift, trustworthiness, integrity and honesty. Government officials and employees were reminded that a public office is a public trust and that graft and corruption destroy the people's trust in government. Pres. Garcia was not very successful in his austerity program. Graft and corruption was not totally eliminated but his efforts were timely in strengthening the people's faith and confidence in the democratic process of the government. "THE FILIPINO FIRST POLICY" The Garcia administration sustained the economic growth of the country by giving full support to agriculture. The other industries were also promoted. Transportation and infrastructure were maintained in support of the economy. It was Pres. Garcia who popularized economic nationalism through the Filipino First Policy. The Filipino First Policy gave priority or preference to Filipinos over all other foreigners in the acquisition of land and capital and in the operation of business, trade and industry. This encouraged Filipino businessman and entrepreneurs to engage activity in all economic activities in the country. The policy did not exclude foreigners were also allowed under the 60-40 percent equity. This meant that foreigners could invest capital up to 40 percent in any business or industry while the 60 percent were owned by Filipino citizens. The Filipino First policy also aimed to encourage the people to patronize Philippine-made products and to promote Filipino labor. "CULTURAL REVIVAL" Because of the long years of colonial occupation many Filipinos had adopted some of the ways of the Spaniards and the Americans. Pres. Garcia felt that some of the cultural traditions of the Filipinos should be revived. He sponsored the annual Republic Cultural Awards to Filipino artists, scientists, historians, and writers. He encouraged the world tours of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and other folkdance groups. He also continued the wearing of the barong Tagalog during special occasions. Pres. Garcia also strengthened friendship with other countries particularly those of Southeast Asia.

. Diosdado Macapagal Diosdado Macapagal entered Philippine Law School to get his law degree. In his law school he became well known as the best Orator and debater. After two years he transferred to the University of Sto. Tomas. After receiving his law degree, Mcapagal was admitted to the bar in 1936. During World War II he practiced law in Manila and aided the anti-Japanese resistance. After the war he worked in a law firm and in 1948 served as second secretary to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. The following year he was elected to a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives, serving until 1956. During this time he was Philippine representative to the United Nations General Assembly three times. From 1957 to 1961 Macapagal was a member of the Liberal Party asnd vice president under Carlos P. Garcia, the Nacionalista president. In the 1961 elections, however, he ran against former presideent Garcia forging a coalition of the Liberal and progressive parties and making a crusaed against corruption a principal element of his platform. He was elected by a wide margin. While president, Diosdado Macapagal worked to suppress graft and corruption and to stimulate the Philippine economy. He placed the peso in the free currency-exchange market, encouraged wealthiest families, which cost the treasury millions of pesos yearly. His reforms were crippled by a House of Representatives and Senate dominated by the Nacionalistas and he was defeated in the 1965 elections by Ferdinand E. Marcos. In 1972 he chaired the convention that drafted the 1973 constitution only to question in 1981 the validity of its retification. In 1979 he organized the National Union for Liberation as an opposition party to the Marcos regime.

Ferdinand Marcos Philippine Lawyer and Politician, Ferdinand Marcos was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte on September 11, 1917. His parents are Don Mariano Marcos and Doa Josefa Edralin. Marocs studied law in the late 1930's at the University of the Philippines. Marcos took up leadership in a time wherein the country was in crisis economically and socially. His goals at that time were to uplift the economic and social condition of all the people using hard-work and self-reliance. His first term was innovative and inspirational. Marcos embarked on a huge infrastructure program, unifying the scattered islands through a network of roads, bridges, rails and ports, committing all the available resources to development. He carefully steered the Republic's diplomacy during a period of transition in international relations, which saw the confrontation of the Cold War give way to peaceful negotiations. He was host to the Vietnam allies at the Manila Summit of 1966, and embarked on intense personal diplomacy throughout the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The national problems, however, were much graver than could be solved in any single term of office. Combining into an explosive force were poverty, social inequity and rural stagnation, the burden of centuries coupled with rising expectations, a bounding birthrate and mass-education. The country at that time was said to have been making only four million pesos a day while spending six million pesos. Industries had a very slow growth. The school facilities could not accomodate the increasing number of children. Diseases continued to spread. Criminality was on the increase. Marcos was trapped between the entrenched oligarchy, which controlled the Congress and the firebrands from the Manila student movement in the peasant regions of Luzon. As a result of this, Marcos sent out the Army to face the resurgence of armed Communist activity and the emergence of Maoist urban guerrillas. In August 1971, the write of habeas corpus was suspended. This worked in the short term, but as soon as it was lifted, radical agitation started again. By the middle of 1972, nearly the entire media turned dead set against the Administration and government was beginning to be slowed down by the intense rivalry between the political parties. The economic effects of this paralysis of government were made worse by great floods which in the Luzon plain ruined much of agriculture, infrastructure and industry. The people wallowed deeper in cynicism and despair. In Manila, crime, pornography and violence drove citizens from the streets. Invoking the last constitutional defense of the state, President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972.

Corazon Aquino Political leader and president from 1986 to 1992 of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino was to succeed her murdered husband, Benigno Aquino, a leader from the opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos. Corazon or Cory Aquino, the seventh and first woman president of the Republic of the Philippines, was born in Tarlac on Januray 25, 1933 to Don Jose Cojuanco and Doa Demetra Sumulong. She graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in New York in 1954 but then abandoned further studies in 1955 to marry Ninoy Aquino, who was then a promising you politician. In 1983, she succeeded her murdered husband, Benigno Aquino, as a leader of the opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos. Thus, she became the unified opposition's candidate for the presidency of Marcos. On Febuary 25, 1986, Cor and Marcos were inaugurated as president by their respective supporters but that same day, Marcs fled the country. In March 1986, she proclaimed a provinsional constitution and soon thereafetr appointed a commission to write a new constitution She faced an ongoing outcry over economic injustice, a problem that was only exacerbated by continuing warfare between the communist insurgency and a military whose loyalties to Aquino were uncertain. The support of the people which was called People's Power pushed her to candidate against Marcos.

Fidel V. Ramos As head of the State his administration centerpiece program is the Philippines 2000; which aim to uplift the Philippines as a newly industrialized country by the year 2000. Fidel V. Ramos was born in Lingayen, Pangasinan on Feb. 8, 1928. His parents are Narciso Ramos and Angela Valdez Ramos. Fidel V. Ramos has two sisters, Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani and Gloria Ramos de Rodda. In his administration the good President look forward the dream for the Philippines as an industrialized country towards the year 2000. He also emphasizes for the reconciliation and gives amnesty for the rebels who are willing to surrender, to achieve the real peace and order in the country. The Ramos Administration intensify to complete the Program such as; school buildings, roads and bridges, country wide development, country's infrastructure program for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and inviting foreign investors to put up business in the country to help the Filipino People.

Joseph Estrada, Joseph Estrada, original name Joseph Marcelo Ejercito, and widely known as Erap (born April 19, 1937) is a popular film actor in the Philippines and was president from 1998 to 2001. Born in Manila, he dropped out of college to pursue acting; this so displeased his family that he adopted another surname, Estrada. As an actor he acquired the nickname Erap from pare or 'pal'. He often played heroes of the downtrodden classes. He was the mayor of San Juan municipality in Metro Manila between 1969 and 1986, and became a senator in 1987. In the 1992 presidential election he was the vice-presidential candidate under Eduardo Cojuangco of the National People's Coalition. Although Fidel Ramos defeated Cojuangco, Estrada won the vice-presidency and began six years of uneasy cohabitation. He easily won the 1998 election and was inaugurated on June 30, 1998, with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as his vice-president. However his presidency was soon dogged by scandals of bribery and corruption, and he was said to spend long hours drinking with disreputable characters. In October 2000 an acknowledged gambling racketeer Chavit Singson, the then governor of Ilocos Sur, alleged that he had personally given President Estrada the sum of 400 million pesos. This led to increasing pressure for the resignation of Estrada, and on January 20, 2001 he was removed from office by the Supreme Court, following an aborted impeachment trial and several days of mass demonstrations. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo succeeded him as president.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (born April 5, 1947), also known as GMA, is the current and 14th president of the Republic of the Philippines. She is the second female president of the country after Corazon Aquino and is the daughter of a former president, Diosdado Macapagal. She has a Ph.D. in economics from University of the Philippines in Quezon City, and did a two-year college stint at Georgetown University, where she was a classmate of Bill Clinton. She is a member of the LAKAS party. In 1986, she was appointed by President Corazon C. Aquino as Assistant Secretary of Trade and Industry as she is credited for the rapid growth of the garment industry in the eighties by holding the position of Executive Director of the Garments and Textile Export Board. At state visit to the USA. She was elected as Senator during her first try in politics in 1992, and re-elected in 1995 with the highest number of votes in Philippine history. She sponsored or authored fifty five bills that were signed into law. In 1998, she was elected Vice President, garnering the most number of votes of any national elective position although her party mate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jose de Venecia, lost the election for president. She served under the administration of President Joseph Estrada and became the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). She became president through popular revolt (EDSA II) on January 20, 2001, after the impeachment trial of President Estrada, who was charged with graft and plunder, was suspended. The Supreme Court unanimously declared her assumption into office as legal and constitutional after declaring the position of the President vacant when Estrada left Malacaang Palace. The constitutionality of this succession is still questioned by a number of Estrada's supporters. On July 26, 2003 she faced an apparent coup attempt when renegade troops seized a hotel and shopping mall in Makati City in Metro Manila. Mrs. Arroyo delivered a televised speech to renegades and promised hostile action if they did not cease their attemped coup. A respected General was deployed to talk down the mostly young, somewhat naive soldiers; they surrendered soon after. The coup attempt was rumored to have been connected to supporters of previously ousted president Joseph Estrada. The Feliciano commission, a presidential comittee assigned to investigate the coup, has recently come out with its findings. See 2003 Makati Mutiny.

PROJECT IN AP

Submitted by: Arra Chanel V. Saba I-St. Thomas Submitted to: Sr. Giovanni Cardinoza