1.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Term of Office:
March 22, 1897 – April 1, 1901
Complete name:
Emilio Famy Aguinaldo
Nickname: Miong
Birthplace: Kawit, Cavite
Born: March 22, 1869
Died: February 6, 1964
Resting place: Aguinaldo Shrine
Spouse(s):
Hilaria Del Rosario, Maria Agoncillo
Occupation(s):
Soldier, Manager, Teacher
School Attended:
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of coronary thrombosis
Children: Miguel, Carmen, Emilio Jr., María and Cristina

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

SOCIAL:

Realizing the unpopularity, as well as the inconvenience, occasioned by Article Five of the Malolos
Constitution providing the separation of Church and State, Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini,
statesmanlike, proposed an amendment, temporary in character, providing for the suspension of said
article until a regular constitutional assembly shall have been convened. In the meantime the
municipalities that might need the spiritual ministry of a Filipino priest were to provide funds for his
necessary support. The proposal was accented on 23 December and became Transitory Article No.100 of
the national constitution.

POLITICS:

His term also featured the setting up of the Malolos Republic, which has its own Congress, Constitution,
and national and local officialdom -- proving Filipinos also had the capacity to build. Aguinaldo is best
remembered for the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. On 12
June, at Aguinaldo's ancestral home in Cavite, Philippine independence was proclaimed and The Act of
Declaration of Philippine Independence was read. The act had been prepared and written in Spanish by
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who also read its proclamation. On 18 June, Aguinaldo issued a decree
formally establishing his dictatorial government. On June 23, another decree signed by Aguinaldo was
issued, replacing the Dictatorial Government with a Revolutionary Government, with himself as
President.

EDUCATION:
President Jovel ordered schools open. Elementary education was made compulsory and free. The Filipino
educator, Enrique Mendiola, founded the "Instituto de Burgos" and were appointed by the Director of
Public Instruction. It offered courses in agriculture, surveying, and commerce, as well as a complete A.B
course. On October 1898, a government decree fixed the opening date of the "UniversidadLiteria".
Couses offered were Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacy, and Notary Public. The President of
thePhilippinesappointed the professors thereof. They, in turn, chose the University rector. The first to
occupy this position was Joaquín Gonzales. Later, he was succeeded by Marecil Mercado.

LEGACY:

Old 5 Peso Bill

5 Peso Coin
Emilio Aguinaldo College

2. Manuel Quezon

Term of office: August 29, 1916 – November 15, 1935

Complete name: Manuel Luis Molina Quezon
Birthplace: Baler, Aurora
Born: August 19, 1878
Died: August 1, 1944
Resting place: Quezon City Memorial Circle
Spouse(s):
Aurora Aragon
Occupation:
Clerk, Surveyor, Fiscal, Councilor, Governor, Politician, Soldier, Lawyer
School Attended:
Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of Tuberculosis
Children:
María Aurora "Baby", María Zeneida "Nini", Luisa Corazón Paz "Nenita" and Manuel L. "Nonong"
Quezón, Jr.

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

National Economic Council (This body advised the government in economic and financial questions,
including promotion of industries, diversification of crops and enterprises, tariffs, taxation, and
formulation of an economic program in the contemplation of the future independent Republic of the
Philippines.)

SOCIAL:

As president he reorganized the island military defense (aided by General Douglas McArthur as his
special adviser). Tackled the huge problem of landless peasants in the countryside who still worked as
tenants on large estates, promote the settlement and development of the large southern island of
Mindanao, and fought graft and corruption in the government. A new national capital, later known as
Quezon City, was built in the suburb of Manila.

CULTURE:

President Quezon initiated women's suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth Era. As a
result of the prolonged debate between the proponents of women's suffrage and their opponents, the
Constitution finally provided that the issue be resolved by the women themselves in a plebiscite. If no less
than 300,000 of them were too affirmatively vote in favor of the grant within two years would be deemed
granted the country's women. Complying with this mandate, the government ordered a plebiscite to be
held for the purpose on April 3, 1937.Following a rather vigorous campaign, on the day of the plebiscite,
the turnout of female voters was impressive. The affirmative votes numbered 447,725, as against 44,307
who opposed the grant.

EDUCATION:

Turning his attention to the matter of education in the country, President Quezon by virtue of Executive
Order No. 19, dated February 19, 1936, created the National Council of Education, with Rafael Palma,
former President of the University of the Philippines, as its first chairman. Funds retained from the early
approved Residence Certificate Law were devoted to the maintenance of the public schools all over the
nation and the opening of many more to meet the needs of the young people. Indeed, by this time there
were already 6,511 primary schools; 1039 intermediate schools; 133 secondary and special schools; and
five junior colleges. The total number of pupils enrolled was 1,262,353, who were placed under charge of
28,485 schools teachers. This year's appropriation for public education amounted to 14,566,850pesos. [5]
The private institutions of learning, for their part, accommodated more than ninety seven thousand
students, thus considerably aiding the government in solving the annual school crisis. To implement the
pertinent constitutional provision, the Office of Adult Education was likewise created.
MAJOR ISSUES:

Tydings -McDuffie

LEGACY:

Manuel L. Quezon University

Quezon City
Province Of Quezon
20 Peso Bill
3. Jose P. Laurel

Term of office: October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945

Complete name: Jose Paciano Garcia Laurel
Birthplace: Tanauan City, Batangas
Born: March 9, 1891
Died: November 6, 1959
Resting place: Tanauan City
Spouse(s): Pacencia Hidalgo
Occupation: Messenger, Clerk, Lawyer
School attended:
University of the Philippines College of Law, University of Santo Tomas, and Yale University (USA)
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of massive heart attack and a stroke
Children:
Jose Bayani Jr. “Pepito”, Jose Sotero III “Pepe”, Natividad “Nene”, Sotero Cosme “Teroy”, Mariano
Antonio “Maning”, Rosenda Pacencia “Rose”, Salvador Roman “Doy”, Arsenio “Dodjie”

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

During Laurel's tenure as President, hunger was the main worry. Prices of essential commodities roseto
unprecedented heights. The government exerted every effort to increase production and bring consumers'
goods under control. However, Japanese rapacity had the better of it all. On the other hand, guerrilla
activities and Japanese retaliatory measures brought the peace and order situation to a difficult point.
Resorting to district-zoning and domiciliary searches, coupled with arbitrary asserts, the Japanese made
the mission of Laurel's administration incalculably exasperating and perilous.

SOCIAL:

Laurel declared the country under martial law in 1944 through Proclamation No. 29, dated September21.
Martial law came into effect on September 22, 1944 at 9 am. Proclamation No. 30 was issued the next
day, declaring the existence of a state of war between the Philippines and the United States and the United
Kingdom. This took effect on September 23, 1944 at 10:00 am.

POLITICS:

Telling of Laurel's ambivalent and precarious position is the following anecdote. In 1944, Laurel issued
an executive order organizing the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI)as the sole
political organization to back the government. An attempt was made to organize a women's section of the
KALIBAPI, and Laurel hosted several women leaders in Malacañang Palace to plead his case. After he
spoke, a university president, speaking in behalf of the group, responded, "Mr. President, sa kabila po
kami.” ("Mr. President, we are on the other side.") Laurel joined the others assembled in hearty laughter
and the KALIBAPI women's section was never formed.
CULTURE:

The presidency of Laurel understandably remains one of the most controversial in Philippine history.
After the war, he would be denounced in some quarters as a war collaborator or even a traitor, although
his indictment for treason was superseded by President Roxas Amnesty Proclamation. His subsequent
electoral success demonstrates public support for him. Before his death, Laurel came to be considered as
doing his best in interceding, protecting and looking after the best interests of the Filipinos against the
harsh wartime Japanese military rule and policies. However, the fact remains that he violated his Oath of
Office and headed an illegal government of the Philippines.

PROBLEMS ISSUES ADMIN:

During his presidency, the Philippines faced a crippling food shortage which demanded much of Laurel's
attention. Rice and bread were still of availability but sugar supply was gone. Laurel also resisted in vain
Japanese demands that the Philippines issue a formal declaration of war against the United States. There
were also reports during his presidency of the Japanese military carrying out rape and massacre towards
the Filipino population.

4. Sergio Osmeña

Term of office: 1 August 1944 – 28 May 1946

Complete name: Sergio Suico Osmeña
Birthplace: Cebu City
Born: September 9, 1878
Died: October 19, 1961
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s):
Estefania Veloso (1901–1918), Esperanza Limjap (1920–1961)
Occupation: Courier, Journalist, Lawyer
School attended:
University of San Carlos, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of liver failure and breast cancer
Children:
Nicasio, Vicenta, Edilderto, Milagros, Emilio, Maria Paloma, Jesus, Teodoro, José, and Sergio Jr.

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

On 30 April 1946, the United States Congress, at last approved the Bell Act, which as early as 20January
had been reported to the Ways and Means Committee of the lower house, having been already passed by
the Senate. President Osmeña and Resident Commissioner Ramulo had urged the passage of this bill, with
United States High Commissioner, Paul V. McNutt, exerting similar pressure.

The Act gave the Philippines eight years of free trade with the United States, then twenty years during
which tariffs would be upped gradually until they were in line with the rest of the American tariff policy.
The law also fixed some quotas for certain products: sugar – 850,000 long tons; cordage –
6,000,000pounds;coconut oil – 200,000 long tons; cigars – 200,000,000 pounds. The great aid this
legislation meant for the Philippines was coupled with that to be obtained from the recently passed
Tydings Damage bill, which provided some nine hundred million dollars for payment of war damages, of
which one million had been earmarked to compensate for church losses. The sum of two hundred and
forty million dollars was to be periodically allocated by the United States President as a manifestation of
good will to the Filipino people. Additionally, sixty million pieces of surplus property were also
transferred to the Philippine Government

SOCIAL:

The first Filipino national leader under the American regime as speaker of the Philippine assembly and
the second president of the Philippines

POLITICS:

President Osmeña proceeded with the immediate reorganization of the government and its diverse
dependencies. On 8 April 1945, he formed his Cabinet, administering the oath of office to its component
members. Later, President Osmeña received the Council of State to help him solve the major problems
confronting the nation. Government offices and bureaus were gradually reestablished. A number of new
ones were created to meet needs then current. Also restored were the Supreme Court of the Philippines
and the inferior courts. The Court of Appeals was abolished and its appellate jurisdiction was transferred
to the Supreme Court, the members of which were increased to eleven – One Chief Justice and ten
Associate Justice – in order to attend to the new responsibilities. Slowly but steadily, as the liberating
forces freed the other portions of the country, provincial and municipal governments were established by
the Commonwealth to take over from the military authorities.

CULTURE:

With the city of Manila already liberated, General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur, on behalf of the
United States, turned over the reins of government of the Philippines to Commonwealth President, Sergio
Osmeña, on 27 February 1945, amidst brief, but impressive, ceremonies held at the Malacañang Palace.
President Osmeña, after thanking the United States through General MacArthur, announced the
restoration of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and work out the salvation of the
Philippines from the ravages of war.

MAJOR ISSUES:

Hukbalahap
Legacy
50 Peso Bill
Osmena Museum
5. Manuel Roxas

Term of office: May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948

Complete name: Manuel Acuña Roxas
Birthplace: Capiz
Born: January 1, 1892
Died: April 15, 1948
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s): Trinidad De Leon
Occupation: Lawyer
School attended:
Saint Joseph’s Academy (Hong Kong), Manila High School (Araullo High School), University of Manila,
University of the Philippines College of law
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of myocardial infarction
Children: Ma. Rosario "Ruby and Gerardo “Gerry”

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

No sooner had the fanfare of the independence festivities ended that the government and the people
quickly put all hands to work in the tasks of rescuing the country from its dire economic straits. Reputed
to be the most bombed and destroyed country in the world, the Philippines were in a sorry mess. Only.
Stalingrad and Warsaw, for instance, could compare with Manila in point of destruction. All over the
country more than a million people were unaccounted for. The war casualties as such could very well
reach the two million mark. Conservative estimates had it that the Philippines had lost about two thirds of
her material wealth.

The country was facing near bankruptcy. There was no national economy, no export trade. Indeed,
production for exports had not been restored. On the other hand, imports were to reach the amount of
three million dollars. There was need of immediate aid from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation
Administration. Something along this line was obtained. Again, loans for the United States, as well as
some increase in the national revenues, were to help the new Republic.

President Roxas, with bold steps, met the situation with the same confidence he exuded in his inaugural
address, when he said: "The system of free but guided enterprise is our system". Among the main
remedies proposed was the establishment of the Philippine Rehabilitation Finance Corporation. This
entity would be responsible for the construction of twelve thousand houses and for the grant of easy-term
loans in the amount of 177,000,000 pesos. Another proposal was the creation of the Central Bank of the
Philippines to help stabilize the Philippine dollar reserves and coordinate and the nations banking
activities gearing them to the economic progress. Concentrating on the sugar industry, President Roxas
would exert such efforts as to succeed in increasing production from 13,000 tons at the time of the
Philippine liberation to an all-high of one million tons.
Social
The postwar Philippines had burned cities and towns, ruined farms and factories, blasted roads
and bridges, shattered industries and commerce, and thousands of massacred victims. The war had
paralyzed the educational system, where 80% of the school buildings, their equipments, laboratories and
furniture weredestroyed. Numberless books, invaluable documents and works of art, irreplaceable
historical relics and family heirlooms, hundreds of churches and temples were burned. The reconstruction
of the damaged school buildings alone cost more thanPhp126,000,000.The new Republic began to
function on an annual deficit of over Php 200,000,000 with little prospect of a balanced budget for some
years to come. Manila and other cities then were infested with criminal gangs which used techniques of
American gangsters in some activities
–
Bank hold-ups, kidnapping and burglaries. In rural regions, especially the provinces of Central Luzon and
the Southern Tagalog regions, the Hukbalahaps and brigands terrorized towns and barrios.

POLITICS:

Manuel Roxas' term as the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines ended on the morning of
July 4, 1946 when the Third Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated and Philippine Independence
from the United States proclaimed, amidst plaudits and prayers of some 300,000people,21-gun salute and
joyous echoes of church bells. Roxas was then inaugurated as the new and first president of the new
Republic.

CULTURE:

On March 11, 1947, the tokwa Filipino people, heeding Roxas' persuasive harangue, ratified in a
nationwide plebiscite the "parity amendment" to the1935 Constitution, granting United States citizens the
right to dispose and utilize of Philippine natural resources, or through parity rights. The night before the
plebiscite day, Roxas narrowly escaped an assassination by a disgruntled Tondo barber, Julio Guillen,
who hurled a grenade on the platform at Plaza Miranda immediately after the President addressed the
rally of citizens.

MAJOR ISSUES:

His administration was marred by graft and corruption; moreover, the abuses of the provincial military
police contributed to the rise of the left-wing (Huk) movement in the countryside. His heavy-handed
attempts to crush the Huks led to widespread peasant disaffection. The good record of Roxas
administration was marred by two failures: the failure to curb graft and corruption in the government, as
evidenced by the
Surplus War Property scandal, theChinese immigration scandal and the School supplies scandal; and the
failure to check and stop the communist Hukbalahap movement.

LEGACY:

In his honor, Roxas District (Project 1) in Quezon City, Roxas, Capiz and Roxas, Isabela was named after
him, 100 Peso Bill6.
6. Elpidio Qurino

Term of office: April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953

Complete name: Elpidio Rivera Quirino
Birthplace: Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Born: November 16, 1890
Died: February 29, 1956
Resting place: Manila South Cemetery
Spouse(s): Alicia Syquia
Occupation: Lawyer
School attended:
University of the Philippines College of Law
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of heart attack
Children: Fe, Armando, Norma, Thomas and Victoria

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

Upon assuming the reins of government, Quirino announced two main objectives of his administration:
first, the economic reconstruction of the nation and second, the restoration of the faith and confidence of
the people in the government. In connection to the first agenda, he created the President's Action
Committee on Social Amelioration or PACSA to mitigate the sufferings of indigent families, the Labor
Management Advisory Board to advise him on labor matters, the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives
Financing Administration or ACCFA to help the farmers market their crops and save them from loan
sharks, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines to facilitate credit utilities in rural areas.

SOCIAL:

Enhancing President Manuel Roxas' policy of social justice to alleviate the lot of the common mass,
President Quirino, almost immediately after assuming office, started a series of steps calculated to
effectively ameliorate the economic condition of the people.

After periodic surprise visits to the slums of Manila and other backward regions of the country, President
Quirino officially made public a seven-point program for social security, o wit1.Unemployment
insurance2.Old-age insurance insurance3.Accident and permanent disability insurance4.Health
insurance5.Maternity insurance6.State relief7.Labor opportunity President Quirino also created the Social
Security Commission, making Social Welfare Commissioner Asuncion Perez chairman of the same. This
was followed by the creation of the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration, charges with
extending aid, loans, and relief to the less fortunate citizens. Both the policy and its implementation were
hailed by the people as harbingers of great benefits.

POLITICS:

To cope with the insistent clamor for government improvement, President Quirino created the Integrity
Board to probe into reports of graft and corruption in high government places. Vice-President Fernando
Lopez was most instrumental, through his courageous exposes, in securing such a decision from President
Quirino.
CULTURE:

With the Communist organization here estimated to still have more than forty thousand duly registered
members by March 1951, the government went on with its sustained campaign to cope with the
worsening peace and order problem. The 1951 budget included the use of a residue fund for the land
resettlement program in favor of the surrendered HUKS. The money helped maintain the Economic
Development Corps (EDCOR), with its settlements of six thousand five hundred hectares in Kapatagan
(Lanao) and twenty five thousand hectares in Buldon (Cotabato). In each group taken to these places there
was a nucleus of former Army personnel and their families, who became a stabilizing factor and ensured
the success of the program. Indeed, less than ten percent of the Huks who settled down gave up this new
lease in life offered them by the government.

MAJOR ISSUES:

Quirino's administration faced a serious threat in the form of the communist Hukbalahap movement.
Though the Huks originally had been an anti-Japanese guerrilla army in Luzon, communists steadily
gained control over the leadership, and when Quirino's negotiation with Huk commander Luis Taruc
broke down in 1948, Taruc openly declared himself a Communist and called for the overthrow of the
government

LEGACY:

Quirino Grandstand
7. Ramon Magsaysay

Term of office: December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957

Complete name: Ramon Del Fierro Magsaysay
Nickname: Mambo Magsaysay
Birthplace: Iba, Zambales
Born: August 31, 1907
Died: March 17, 1957
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s): Luz Banzon
Occupation: Engineer, Chauffer, Mechanic, Soldier
School attended:
University of the Philippines, Jose Rizal University
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of plane crash
Children: Teresita, Milagros and Ramon “Jun” Jr.

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

To amplify and stabilize the functions of the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), President
Magsaysay worked for the establishment of the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA).This body took over from the EDCOR and helped in the giving some sixty five thousand acres
to three thousand indigent families for settlement purposes. Again, it allocated some other twenty five
thousand to a little more than one thousand five hundred landless families, who subsequently became
farmers. As further aid to the rural people, the President Established the Agricultural Credit and
Cooperative Administration (ACCFA). The idea was for this entity to make available rural credits.
Records show that it did grant, in this wise, almost ten million dollars. This administration body next
devoted its attention to cooperative marketing.

SOCIAL:

In early 1954,Benigno Aquino, Jr. was appointed by President Ramón Magsaysay to act as personal
emissary to Luis Taruc, leader of the Hukbalahap rebel group. Also in 1954, Lt. Col. Laureño Maraña, the
former head of Force X of the 16th PC Company, assumed command of the 7th BCT, which had become
one of the most mobile striking forces of the Philippine ground forces against the Huks, from Colonel
Valeriano. Force X employed psychological warfare through combat intelligence and infiltration that
relied on secrecy in planning, training, and execution of attack. The lessons learned from Force X and
Nenita were combined in the 7th BCT.

POLITICS:

Ushering, indeed, a new era in Philippine government, President Magsaysay placed emphasis upon
service to the people by bringing the government closer to the former. This was symbollically seen when,
on inauguration day, President Magsaysay ordered the gates ofMalacañang Palace open to all and sundry,
who were allowed to freely visit all the dependencies of the presidential mansion. Later, this was
regulated to allow weekly visit. True to his electoral promise, President Magsaysay created the
Presidential Complaints and ActionCommittee. This body immediately proceeded to hear grievances and
recommend remedial action.Headed by soft-spoken, but active and tireless, Manuel Manahan, this
committee would come to hear nearly sixty thousand complaints in a year, of which more than thirty
thousand would be settled by direct action and a little more than twenty five thousand, referred to
government agencies for appropriate follow-up. This new entity, composed of youthful personnel, all
loyal to the President, proved to be a highly successful morale booster restoring the people's confidence in
their own government.

CULTURE:

Billed as an all Oriental meet and threatening to become a propaganda springboard for Communism, a
Conference was held in Bandung(Java)in April 1955, upon invitation extended by the Prime Ministers of
India, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon, and Indonesia. Although, at first, the Magsaysay Government seemed
reluctant to send any delegation, later, however, upon advise of Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, it was
decided to have the Philippines participate in the conference. Ambassador Romulo was asked to head the
Philippine delegation. At the very outset indications were to the effect that the conference would promote
the cause of neutralism as a third position in thecurrentcold warbetween the democratic bloc and the
communist group. John Kotelawala, Prime Minister of Ceylon, however, broke the ice against neutralism.
He was immediately joined by Philippine envoy Romulo, who categorically states that his delegation
believed that "a puppet is a puppet", no matter whether under a Western Power or an Oriental status.

MAJOR ISSUES:

Magsaysay was unable to pass effective land reform legislation; government indifference to the plight of
the peasants then undid most of his good work in gaining the support of the people against the Huks.

LEGACY:

Ramon Magsaysay High School

8. Carlos Garcia

Term of office: March 17, 1957 – December 30, 1961

Complete name: Carlos Polestico Garcia
Birthplace: Talibon, Bohol
Born: November 4, 1896
Died: June 14, 1971
Resting place: Libingan ng mga Bayani
Spouse(s): Leonila Dimataga
Occupation:
Lawyer, Teacher, Poet, Public official, Guerilla leader
School attended:
Silliman University, Philippine College of Criminology
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died from a fatal heart attack
Children: Linda

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:
Filipino First Policy

President García exercised the Filipino First Policy, for which he was known. This policy heavily favored
Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. He was also responsible for changes in retail trade which
greatlyaffected the Chinese businessmen in the country. In a speech during a joint session of the Senate
and theHouse of Representatives on September 18, 1946, President Garcia said the following: We are
called upon to decide on this momentous debate whether or not this land of ours will remain the cradle
and grave, the womb and tomb of our race–the only place where we can build our homes, our temples,
and our altars and where we erect the castles of our racial hopes, dreams and traditions and where we
establish the warehouse of our happiness and prosperity, of our joys and sorrows.

SOCIAL:

After much discussion, both official and public, the Congress of the Philippines, finally, approved a bill
outlawing the Communist Party of the Philippines. Despite the pressure exerted against the congressional
measure, President Carlos P. Garcia signed the said bill into law as Republic Act No. 1700 on June 19,
1957. With this legislative piece, the sustained government campaign for peace and order achieved
considerable progress and success.

Republic Act No. 1700 was superseded by Presidential Decree No. 885, entitled "Outlawing Subversive
Organization, Penalizing Membership Therein and For Other Purposes." In turn, Presidential Decree 885
was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1736, and later superseded by Presidential Decree No. 1835,
entitled, "Codifying The Various Laws on Anti-Subversion and Increasing the Penalties for Membership
in Subversive Organization." This, in turn, was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1975. On May
5, 1987, Executive Order No. 167 repealed Presidential Decrees Nos. 1835 and 1975 as being unduly
restrictive of the constitutional ight to form associations. On September 22, 1992, Republic Act No.
1700, as amended, was repealed by Republic Act No. 7636.
POLITICAL:

He started his political career in 1925, scoring an impressive victory running for congressman
representing the third district of Bohol. He was elected for another term in 1928 and served until1931. He
was elected governor of Bohol in 1933 but served only until 1941 when he successfully ran for the
Philippine Senate but his term cut short during World War II. He took the post when Congress convened
in 1945 after the Philippines was liberated from the Japanese.

CULTURE:

After much discussion, both official and public, the Congress of the Philippines, finally, approved a bill
outlawing the Communist Party of the Philippines. Despite the pressure exerted against the congressional
measure, President Carlos P. Garcia signed the said bill into law as Republic Act No.1700 on June 19,
1957. With this legislative piece, the sustained government campaign for peace and order achieved
considerable progress and success Republic Act No. 1700 was superseded by Presidential Decree No.
885, entitled "Outlawing Subversive Organization, Penalizing Membership Therein and For Other
Purposes." In turn, Presidential Decree 885 was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1736, and later
superseded by Presidential Decree No. 1835, entitled, "Codifying The Various Laws on Anti-Subversion
and Increasing the Penalties for Membership in Subversive Organization." This, in turn, was amended by
Presidential Decree No. 1975. On May 5, 1987, Executive Order No. 167 repealed PresidentialDecrees
Nos. 1835 and 1975 as being unduly restrictive of the constitutional right to form associations. On
September 22, 1992, Republic Act No. 1700, as amended, was repealed by Republic Act No.7636

MAJOR ISSUES:

During his administration, he acted on the Bohlen – Serrano Agreement which shortened the lease of the
US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it renewable after every five years.

LEGACY:

After graduating from Philippine Law School in Manila in 1923, he was among the top ten in the bar
examination. He became successively, a school teacher, representative in the Philippine Congress,
governor of his province (Bohol), and then senator (1941-1953).
9. Diosdado Macapagal

Term of office: December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965

Complete name: Diosdado Pangan Macapagal
Birthplace: Lubao, Pampanga
Born: September 28, 1910
Died: April 21, 1997
Resting place: Libingan ng mga Bayani
Spouse(s): Purita Dela Rosa, Evangelina Macaraeg
Occupation: Lawyer, Professor, Accountant
School attended:
University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and Philippine Law School
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of heart failure, pneumonia and renal complications
Children: Arturo, Cielo, Gloria and Diosdado Jr.

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

Twenty days after the inauguration, exchange controls were lifted and the
Philippine peso was allowed to float on the free currency exchange market. The currency controls were
initially adopted by the administration of Elpidio Quirino as a temporary measure, but continued to be
adopted by succeeding administrations. The peso devalued from P2.64 to the US dollar, and stabilized at
P3.80 to the dollar, supported by a $300 million stabilization fund from the International Monetary Fund.
Before independence there was free enterprise in the Philippines under Presidents
Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas. In 1950 President Elpidio Quirino
deviated from free enterprise launching as a temporary emergency measure the system of exchange and
import controls. The controls system was carried on by President Magsaysay and Garcia. The first
fundamental decision Macapagal had to make was whether to continue the system of exchange controls of
Quirino, Magsaysay and Garcia or to return to the free enterprise of Quezon, Osmena and Roxas.

It had been his view since he was a Congressman for eight years that the suitable economic system for
Filipinos was free enterprise. So on January 21, 1962 after working for 20 straight hours he signed a
Central Bank decree abolishing exchange controls and returning the country to free enterprise.
During the 20 days available to make a decision on choice between controls and free enterprise, between
his inauguration as President and before the opening of Congress, Macapagal's main adviser was
Governor Andres Castillo of the Central Bank. Further reform efforts by Macapagal were blocked by the
Nacionalistas, who dominated the House of Representatives and the Senate at that time. Nonetheless,
Macapagal was able to achieve steady economic progress, and annual GDP growth averaged at 5.15% for
1962 –65.

SOCIAL:

Such a program for his administration was formulated under his authority and direction by a group of able
andreputable economic and business leaders the most active and effective of which was Sixto Roxas III.
From an examination of the planned targets and requirements of the Five-Year program – formally known
as the Five-Year Socio-Economic Integrated Development Program –it could be seen that it aimed at the
following objectives-immediate restoration of economic stability; -alleviating the plight of the common
man; and-establishing a dynamic basic for future growth.
POLITICS:

Macapagal appealed to nationalist sentiments by shifting the commemoration of Philippine independence

day. On May 12, 1962, he signed a proclamation which declared Tuesday, June 12, 1962, as a special
public holiday in commemoration of the declaration of independence from Spain on that date in 1898.
The change became permanent in 1964 with the signing of Republic Act No. 4166. For having issued his
1962proclamation, Macapagal is generally credited with having moved the celebration date of the
Independence Day holiday. Years later, Macapagal told journalist Stanley Karnow the real reason for the
change: "When Iwas in the diplomatic corps, I noticed that nobody came to our receptions on the Fourth
of July, but went to the American Embassy instead. So, to compete, I decided we needed a different
holiday."

MAJOR ISSUES:

Anti-corruption drive
One of Macapagal's major campaign pledges had been to clean out the government corruption that had
proliferated under former President Garcia. The administration also openly feuded with Filipino
businessmen Fernando Lopez and Eugenio Lopez, brothers who had controlling interests in several large
businesses.

The administration alluded to the brothers as "Filipino Stone hills who build and maintain business
empires through political power, including the corruption of politicians and other officials".

In the1965 election, the Lopezes threw their support behind Macapagal's rival, Ferdinand Marcos, with
Fernando as Marcos' running mate.

LEGACY:

On September 28, 2009, Macapagal's daughter, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, inaugurated the
President Diosdado Macapagal Museum and Library, located at his home town of Lubao,
Pampanga. President Benigno S. Aquino III declared September 28, 2010 as a special non-working
holiday in Macapagal's home province of Pampanga to commemorate the centennial of his birth.
10. Ferdinand E. Marcos

Term of office: December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986

Complete name: Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos
Nickname: Makoy/Strong man
Birthplace: Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
Born: September 11, 1917
Died: September 28, 1989
Resting place: Marcos Museum and Mausoleum
Spouse(s): Imelda Romualdez
Occupation: Lawyer, Soldier
School attended: University of the Philippines College of Law
Religious affiliation: Iglesia Filipina Independiente/Catholic
Death: Died of heart, kidney and lung ailments
Children: Imee, Ferdinand Jr., Aimee (adopted)

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

The Philippine economy suffered a great decline after the Aquino assassination in August 1983. The
political troubles hindered the entry of foreign investments, and foreign banks stopped granting loans to
the Philippine government. In an attempt to launch a national economic recovery program, Marcos
negotiated with foreign creditors including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund(IMF), for a restructuring of the country's foreign debts
–to give the Philippines more time to pay the loans. Marcos ordered a cut in government expenditures and
used a portion of the savings to finance the Sariling Sikap (Self-Reliance), a livelihood program he
established in 1984.

SOCIAL:

In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos revealed his plans for economic development
and government reform. Marcos wanted the immediate construction of roads, bridges and public works,
which included 16,000 kilometers of feeder roads, some 30,000 lineal meters of permanent bridges, a
generator with an electric power capacity of one million kilowatts (1,000,000 kW), and water services to
eight regions and 38 localities. He also urged the revitalization of the judiciary, the national defense
posture and the fight against smuggling, criminality, and graft and corruption in the government.

To accomplish his goals ―President Marcos mobilized the manpower and resources of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for action to complement civilian agencies in such activities as LEGACY

Marcos' family and cronies looted so much wealth from the country that to this day investigators have
difficulty determining precisely how many billions of dollars were stolen. However, it is estimated that
Marcos alone stole at least $5 billion from the Filipino treasury. The Swiss government, initially reluctant
to respond to allegations that stolen funds were held in Swiss accounts, has returned

US$684 million of Marcos wealth

According to Jovito Salonga, monopolies in several vital industries have been created and placed under
the control of Marcos cronies, such as the coconut industries (under Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. and Juan
Ponce Enrile), the tobacco (under Lucio Tan), the banana (under Antonio Floirendo), the sugar industry
(under Roberto Benedicto)and manufacturing (under Herminio Disini and Ricardo Silverio). The Marcos
and Romualdez families became owners, directly or indirectly, of the nation's largest corporations, such
as the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDC), of which the present name is Philippine Long
Distance Telephone (PLDT), the Philippine Airlines (PAL), Meralco (a national electric company),
Fortune Tobacco, the San Miguel Corporation (Asia's largest beer and bottling company), numerous
newspapers, radio and TV broadcasting companies (such as ABS-CBN), several banks, and real estate
properties in New York, California and Hawaii.

The Aquino government also accused them of skimming off foreign aid and international assistance.
Many laws written by Marcos are still in force and in effect. Out of thousands of proclamations, decrees
and executive orders, only a few were repealed, revoked, modified or amended.

Few credit Marcos for promoting Filipino culture and nationalism. His 21 years in power with the help of
U.S. Massive economic aid and foreign loans enabled Marcos to build more schools, hospitals and
infrastructure than any of his predecessors combined.
11. Corazon Aquino

Term of office: February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992

Complete name: Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino
Nickname: Cory/Tita Cory
Birthplace: Panique, Tarlac
Born: January 25, 1933
Died: August 1, 2009
Resting place: Manila Memorial Park,
Spouse(s): Benigno Aquino Jr.
Occupation: Housewife
School attended: College of Saint Mount Vincent
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of colorectal cancer
Children:
Maria Elena "Ballsy", Aurora Corazon "Pinky", Benigno Simeon “Noynoy”, Victoria Elisa "Viel" and
Kristina Bernadette “Kris”

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

She moved quickly to tackle the issue of the US$26 billion foreign debt incurred by her predecessor.
Aquino chose to honor all the debts that were previously incurred. Her decision proved to be unpopular
but Aquino defended that it was the most practical move. It was crucial for the country at that time to
regain the investors' confidence in the Philippine economy. Since 1986, the Aquino administration has
paid off $4 billion of the country's outstanding debts to regain good international credit ratings and attract
the attention of future markets. Nevertheless, the administration borrowed an additional $9 billion,
increasing the national debt by $5billion within six year’s time since the ouster of former President
Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
SOCIAL:

President Aquino envisioned agrarian and land reform as the centerpiece of her administration's social
legislative agenda. However, her family background and social class as a privileged daughter of a wealthy
and landed clan became a lightning rod of criticisms against her land reform agenda. On February 22,
1987, three weeks after the resounding ratification of the 1987 Constitution, agrarian workers and farmers
marched to the historic Mendiola Street near Malacañang Palace to demand genuine land reform from
Aquino's administration. However, the march turned violent when Marine forces fired at farmers who
tried to go beyond the designated demarcation line set by the police. As a result, 12 farmers were killed
and 19 were injured in this incident now known as the Mendiola Massacre. This incident led some
prominent members of the Aquino Cabinet to resign their government posts.

CULUTURE:

Shortly after leaving the presidency, Aquino traveled abroad, giving speeches and lectures on issues of
democracy, development, human rights and women empowerment. In 1997, Aquino attended the wake
and funeral of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whom she met during the latter's visit in Manila in
1989. In the 2000s (decade), Aquino joined various global leaders and democratic icons in urging the
Government of Burma to unconditionally release Burmese democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi from
detention, whom she delivered a speech on behalf in the 1994 meeting of the UNESCO World
Commission on Culture and Development in Manila. In 2005, Aquino joined the international community
in mourning the death of Pope John Paul II.

POLITICS:

As the end of her presidency drew near, close advisers and friends told Aquino that since she was not
inaugurated under the 1987 Constitution, she was still eligible to seek the presidency again in the
upcoming 1992 elections, the first presidential elections under normal and peaceful circumstances since
1965. President Aquino strongly declined the requests for her to seek reelection and wanted to set an
example to both citizens and politicians that the presidency is not a lifetime position. Initially, she named
Ramon V. Mitra, a friend of her husband Ninoy and then Speaker of the Philippine House of
Representatives, as her candidate for the presidential race in 1992. However, she later on backtracked and
instead threw her support behind the candidacy of her defense secretary and EDSA Revolution hero,
General Fidel V. Ramos, who constantly stood by and defended her government from the various coup
attempts and rebellions that were launched against her. Her sudden change of mind and withdrawal of
support from Mitra drew criticisms not only from her supporters in the liberal and social democratic
sectors but also from the Roman Catholic Church, as well, which questioned her anointing of Ramos
since the latter was a Protestant. Nevertheless, Aquino's candidate eventually won the 1992 elections,
albeit with 23.58 percent of the total votes only, and was sworn in as the 12th President of the Philippines
on June 30, 1992.

MAJOR ISSUES:

On June 30, 1992, President Aquino formally and peacefully handed over power to her an ointed
candidate and democratically elected General Fidel Ramos, after six years of hard-fought democratic
transition and restoration. On her way to the inauguration of President-elect Ramos, Aquino chose to ride
on a simple white Toyota Crown she had purchased, rather than the lavish government-issued Mercedes
Benz, o make the point that she was now again an ordinary citizen.

LEGACY:

February 3, 2010, Grand Prize winner Julian Eymard Paguiligan of Bulacan State University' s College
of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) made his painting entry entitled Ika-25 ng Pebrero, 1986
presented in the last year's 24th Visual Arts National Competition for the Directories Philippines
Corporation's directory cover as a paid tribute. He made a portraitof the late President Aquino in
27.5x34.25" watercolor on paper, as a symbol for her contribution not only for democracy, but also in the
successes of the EDSA Revolution in the past.-On June 15, 2010, Batasan Hills Elementary School
(BHES) in Batasan Hills, Quezon City changed its name to the" President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary
School" or (PCCAES).-On August 1, 2010, the first anniversary of her death, a 200x250 Photo Mosaic of
President Cory Aquino was unveiled ear the Quirino Grandstand at the Luneta Park, Manila in the
presence of her son, President Benigno Aquino III and supporters of the late President. It has been
submitted to the Guinness World Records to be certified as the largest photo mosaic in the world.

12. Fidel Ramos

Term of office: June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998

Complete name: Fidel Valdez Ramos
Nickname: Eddie, FVR
Birthplace: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Born: March 18, 1928
Spouse(s): Amelita Martinez
Occupation: Soldier, Civil Engineer
School attended:
MAPUA Institute of Technology, US Military Academy, Ateneo De Manila University, Silliman
University, National Defense College of the Philippines, University of Illinois in Urbana
Religious affiliation: United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Children: Angelina, Josephine, Carolina, Christine and Gloria

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

During his administration, Ramos began implementing economic reforms intended to open up the once-
closed national economy, encourage private enterprise, invite more foreign and domestic investment, and
reduce corruption. Ramos was also known as the most-traveled Philippine President compared to
his predecessors with numerous foreign trips abroad, generating about US$ 20 billion worth of foreign
investments to the Philippines. To ensure a positive financial outlook on the Philippines, Ramos led the
4th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit in the Philippines on November
1996.Under his administration, the Philippines enjoyed economic growth and stability. The Philippine
Stock Exchange in themid-1990s was one of the best in the world and his visions of ' Philippines 2000'
that led the country into a newly industrialized country in the world and the "Tiger Cub Economy in Asia"
Philippines 2000 Five-Point Program:

Peace and Stability Economic Growth and Sustainable Development Energy and Power Generation
Environmental Protection Streamlined Bureaucracy

SOCIAL:

While campaigning for the presidency, Fidel Ramos declared his support for reinstating the death penalty.
Capital punishment was abolished for all crimes in 1987, making the Philippines the first Asian country to
do so. In 1996 Ramos signed a bill that returned capital punishment with the electricchair (method used
from 1923 to 1976, making Philippines the only country to do so outside U.S.) "until the gas
chamber could be installed". However, no one was electrocuted nor gassed, because the previously used
chair was destroyed earlier and the Philippines adopted the lethal injection. Some people were put to
death by this means, until the death penalty was abolished again in 2006.

POLITICAL:

At the time of his assumption into power, Ramos was the oldest person to become President of the
Philippines at the age of 64. He is also the first Protestant President of the country and the only Filipino
officer in history to have held every rank in the Philippine military from Second Lieutenant to
Commander-in-Chief. The first few years of his administration (1992 – 1995) were characterized by
economic boom, technological development, political stability and efficient delivery of basic needs to the
people. During his time, he advocated party platforms as outline and agenda for governance. As in his
case, he was the first Christian Democrat to be elected in the country, being the founder of Lakas-CMD
(Christian-Muslim Democrats Party). He was one of the most influential leaders and the unofficial
spokesman of liberal democracy in Asia.

MAJOR ISSUES:

The Philippines then was experiencing widespread brownouts due to huge demand for electricity and
antiquity of power plants, the abolishment of the Department of Energy and discontinuation of the Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant during the Aquino administration. During his State of the Nation address on July
27, 1992, he requested that the Congress enact a law that would create an Energy Department that would
plan and manage the Philippines' energy demands. Congress not only created an Energy Department but
gave him special emergency powers to resolve the power crisis. Using the powers given to him, Ramos
issued licenses to independent power producers (IPP) to construct power plants within 24 months. Ramos
issued supply contracts that guaranteed the government would buy whatever power the IPPs produced
under the contract in U.S. dollars to entice investments in power plants. This became a problem during
the East Asian Financial Crisis when the demand for electricity contracted and the Philippine peso lost
half of its value. The country was considered risky by investors due to previous coup attempts by
military adventurists led by Gregorio Honasan, and experienced brownouts at an almost daily basis
lasting 4 – 12 hours during the term of President Aquino. The low supply of power and perceived instability
had previously held back investments and modernization in the country. Under Ramos, the Philippines
was a pioneer in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme where private investors are invited to build
certain government projects (i.e. tollways, powerplants, railways, etc.), make money by charging users,
and transfer operation to the government after a set amount of time LEGACY
Ramos Peace and Development Foundation He founded the Ramos Foundation for Peace and
Development (RPDEV) with offices located in the Urban Bank Building (now Export Bank Plaza). The
Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc.(RPDEV) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, non-stock
organization dedicated to the promotion of peace and development in the Philippines and in the larger
Asia-Pacific region. RPDEV supports Philippine national interests and people empowerment. Operating
as a network of individuals and institutions inside and outside the country, it will serve as a catalyst of
constructive change, a medium for fostering unity, stability and progress, and a force for mutual
understanding.
13. Joseph Ejercito Estrada

Term of office: June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001

Complete name: Jose Marcelo Ejercito
Nickname: Erap
Birthplace: Tondo, Manila
Born: April 19, 1937
Spouse(s): Luisa Pimentel
Occupation: Actor, Businessman, Politician
School attended:
Ateneo De Manila University, MAPUA Institute of Technology
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Children: Jose (Jinggoy), Jackie and Jude

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

Retail Trade Liberalization Act (Republic Act No. 8762)

The bill dismantles 40 years of state protectionism over the country‘s retail trade industry and opens the
sector to big foreign players. With the retail trade liberalization, well-known foreign players like
France‘s Carrefour and Casino Group as well as the U.S.‘Wal-Mart and JC Penney are already in the
process of negotiating with local partners.

New General Banking Act (Republic Act No. 8791)

The measure opens up the local banking industry to foreign players after almost 50 years of having it
exclusively reserved and protected for Filipino nationals. With the industry‘s liberalization,
at least 10foreign banks have already established their presence in the Philippines.

SOCIAL:

New Securities Act (Republic Act No. 8799)

This law liberalizes the securities market by shifting policy from merit regulation to full disclosure. With
its strengthened provisions against fraud, the measure is expected to pave the way for the full
development of the Philippine equities and securities market.

POLITICS:

Charter Change

Under President Joseph Estrada, there was a similar attempt to change the 1987 constitution. The process
is termed as CONCORD or Constitutional Correction for Development. Unlike Charterchange under
Ramos and Arroyo the CONCORD proposal, according to its proponents, would only amend the ‗
restrictive‘ economic provisions of the constitution that is considered as impeding the entry of more
foreign investments in the Philippines.
CULTURE:

Agrarian Reform

The Estrada administration widened the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP) to the landless peasants in the country side. The latter‘s administration distributed more than
266,000 hectares of land to 175,000 landless farmers, including land owned by the traditional rural
Elite. On September 1999, he issued Executive Order (EO) 151, also known as Farmer‘s Trust Fund,
which allows the voluntary consolidation of small farm operation into medium and large scale integrated
enterprise that can access long-term capital. President Estrada launched the Magkabalikat Para sa
Kaunlarang Agraryo or MAGKASAKA. The DAR forged into joint ventures with private investors into
agrarian sector to make FBs competitive. In 1999 a huge fund was allocated to
agricultural programs. One of which is the ―Agrikulturang Maka Masa‖, through which it achieved an
output growth of 6 percent, a record high at the time, thereby lowering the inflation rate from 11percent in
January 1999 to just a little over 3 percent by November of the same year.

EDUCATION:

Achieve Universal Primary Education by 2015

Major issues during the administration - War between MILF, Plunder, Perjury, BW
Resources, Impeachment Trial.

LEGACY:

Erap is the Filipino's ultimate ninong (godfather). The concept of godfather hood as a role in Catholic
baptism and matrimony was originally meant to describe a person who will guide a godchild or god
couple in the ways of good Christian living. As with everything else, Filipinos now practice a corrupted
version of an otherwise noble concept.
14. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Term of office: January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010

Complete name: Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Birthplace: San Juan, Rizal
Born: April 5, 1947
Spouse(s): Jose Miquel Arroyo
Occupation: Economist, Professor
School attended:
Georgetown University (USA), Assumption College, Ateneo De Manila University and University of the
Philippines
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Children: Juan Miguel, Evangelina Lourdes and Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

Promote Economic Revival through Social Equity

• Implementing a monetary policy in order to keep the inflation rate low while providing liquidity
for growth.
• Create new micro financing guidelines so that loans may be more available to the poor.
• Banking reforms to promote transparency, enhanced competition, financial soundness and
modernization with the help of expanded foreign participation in domestic banks.
• By joining hands with business to strengthen information and communications technology (ICT) while
encouraging rural industries.

SOCIAL:

Restoring the rule of law in order to fight crimes such as smuggling, kidnapping, and corruption.

POLITICS:

Restoring Political Stability and Building New Politics

• Making a Selection Committee to recruit a Cab
In team who is committed to the values of the administration
• Establishing partnerships with the civil society by involving people in governance.

• Opening up peace initiatives to address threats specifically regarding the Muslim rebels to make
them obey the law and list them as soldiers in the war against poverty.

CULTURE:
More Livelihood Opportunities
• Finance agricultural projects

• Provide employment assistance

• Provide 17,000 jobs through the 38.7 billion pesos worth of new investments.

• Finance and facilitate loans totaling 127 million pesos to improve the productivity of enterprises.
EDUCATION:

Education Reform In line with her obligation to significantly decrease poverty nationwide, President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has stressed the need for an active partnership between the government and
various sectors to sustain efforts concerning various aspects of the schooling system. These are lessening
the textbook backlog; constructing more school buildings; restoring English as medium of instruction;
implementing the Basic Education Curriculum or BEC ; improving teacher welfare; sparing public school
teachers from the ―vagaries of politics‖; mainstreaming distance learning.

Major issues during the administration - Hello ―Garci‖ Controversy (June 2005 –
Present)
The Hello ―Garci‖ Controversy is about wiretapped recordings of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo‘s
conversations with COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano. The conversations was about rigging
or cheating the 2004 national elections. Former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong released the
wiretapped tapes; he also claimed that he had the ―mother of all tapes‖ which was released a few
days later. The National Telecommunications Commission initially banned the playing of the tapes in the
media, and threatened that any media group who plays the tapes will be forced to close. The tape was then
allowed by the Supreme Court to be aired by the media with a vote of 9–6, this was
against the NTC‘s decision.

LEGACY:

Hello Garci
15. Benigno S. Aquino III

Term of office: June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016

Complete name: Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III
Nickname: Noynoy, PNoy
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Born: February 8, 1960
Occupation: Politician
School attended: Ateneo de Manila University
Religious affiliation: Catholic

PROGRAMS:

ECONOMIC POLICY:

Focusing further on accountability in government appropriations and spending, Aquino filed other
reform-oriented, well-thought-out types of bills, among which were for: Philippine National Police
reform; an increase in penalties for corporations and work establishments not compliant with minimum
wage; the banning of reappointment to the Judicial and Bar Council; the prevention of reappointment and
bypassing of the Commission on Appointments; real property valuation based on international standards;
and superior responsibility for senior military officers, who are ultimately responsible for their own
subordinates. However, none of these bills were passed into law.

SOCIAL:

Aquino had been an enthusiast of shooting and billiards, but today, he relaxes by playing videogames
since he could no longer engage in the first two aforementioned pastimes e is a history buff, an audiophile
and enjoys listening to music Aquino does not drink alcoholic beverages. He is an avid smoker, and has
admitted to smoking up to three packs a day.]During his presidential campaign, Aquino promised to quit
smoking if he wins the election. However, he decided later he would not quit smoking, preferring to do it
at the "appropriate" time. He also said he is not keen on being a poster boy for anti-smoking advocates.

POLITICAL:

Aquino was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 1998, representing
the2nddistrict of Tarlac. Aquino won re-election in 2001 and 2004, and served until 2007.As a member of
the House of Representatives, Aquino passed numerous house bills and resolutions: House Bill No. 4251,
granting annual productivity incentives to all workers in the private sector. House Bill No. 4397,
strengthening the regulatory power of the Department of Trade and Industry to effectively enforce
consumer laws. House Bill No. 4252, increasing the penalties for non-compliance of the prescribed
increases and adjustments in the wage rates of workers. House Bill No. 3616, extending the reglementary
period for the educational qualification for the Philippine National Police. House Bill No. 1842, providing
for the codification of criminal laws. House Resolution No. 65, inquiry in aid of legislation into the
policies and processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission in granting rate increases to electric
utilities. House Resolution No. 788, a house bill Aquino is reportedly proudest of, which created a
Congressional Oversight Committee to check and study the use of intelligence funds by government
agencies, thus ensuring that allocated funds are actually used for the purposes they were originally
intended for.

MAJOR ISSUES:

On August 4, 2011, Aquino left the country unannounced to hold unprecedented talks with Murad
Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF), in Tokyo, Japan.

On March 14, 2011, Aquino also signed Executive Order No. 30,transferring the Land Registration
Authority (LRA) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) to the Department
of Justice (DOJ).

On November 10, 2010, former President of the United StatesBill Clinton arrived in Manila. Aquino met
with Clinton in a courtesy call at Malacañang Palace.

Clinton gave a talk on globalization and delivered a lecture titled "Embracing Our Common Humanity" at
the Manila Hotel, attended by politicians, business executives and members of the media. The next day,
Clinton quietly left for Singapore.

ALBERCA, JOANNA MAE A. BSA2

PHILHIS 11:30-1:00 PM TTH 105