PRESIDENTS OF THE

PHILIPPINES

GEN. EMILIO AGUNALDO

Born : March 22, 1869, at Kawit, CaviteFirst President of the Philippines President of

the First RepublicDied: February 6, 1964, at Veterans Memorial

Hospital, Quezon CityTenure, January 23, 1899 – March 23, 1901

1

MANUEL L. QUEZON

Born in Baler, Aurora Studied at University of Santo Tomas Elected Governor of his home province Tayabas

(now Quezon) 1906, became a member of Philippine Assembly 1909-1916, Resident Commissioner to the US

Congress campaigning for Philippine independence Elected in 1935 as the first President of the

Commonwealth He headed the Philippine Government in exile during

the Japanese occupation Quezon City and Quezon Province are named after

him Tenure, 1935-1944

2

JOSE P. LAUREL

Born on March 9, 1891 in Tanauan, Batangas

He finished law at the UP, Master of Law at the Escuela de Derecho, Doctor of Civil Laws at Yale University, Doctor of Philosophy at UST, Doctor of Laws at Tokyo Imperial University

Before the WWII, Quezon appointed him Associate Justice of Supreme Court

Branded as “collaborator” after the warTenure, 1943-1944

3

SERGIO OSMEÑA

Second President of the Philippine Commonwealth

President at the age of 67, oldest among the other Presidents

First President who came from the VisayasBachelor of Laws at the USTGovernor in Cebu, Assemblyman and Speaker

for nine years, Senator, Senate Pro Tempore, a Cabinet member, Vice-President of the Philippines

Restoration of the Executive departmentTenure, 1944-1946

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THIRD REPUBLIC

Confronted of economic problem, reconstruction and rehabilitationProblem of collaborationUS gave material and financial aid to the Philippines on condition

that the Philippine Constitution should be amended in order to give the Americans parity rights in the exploitation of the country’s natural resources

Republic of the Philippines was born to shoulder the responsibilities attendant to an independent existence.

Third Republic

• The Third Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on July 4, 1946. It marked the culmination of the peaceful campaign for Philippine Independence—the two landmarks of which were the enactment of the Jones Law in 1916 (in which the U.S. Congress pledged independence for the Philippines once Filipinos have proven their capability for self-government) and the Philippine Independence Act of 1934 (popularly known as Tydings-McDuffie) which put in place a ten-year transition period during which the Philippines had Commonwealth status. The Third Republic also marked the recognition by the global community of nations, of the nationhood of the Philippines—a process that began when the Commonwealth of the Philippines joined the Anti-Axis Alliance known as the United Nations on June 14, 1942, receiving recognition as an Allied nation even before independence.

• Thus, the inauguration of the Third Republic marked the fulfillment of the long struggle for independence that began with the Philippine Revolution on August 23, 1896 (recent scholarship suggests, on August 24) and which was formalized on June 12, 1898 with the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite.

MANUEL ROXAS

Native of Capiz, educated at University of Manila

Last President of the Commonwealth and the first President of the Third Republic

Political career: elected Speaker of the Philippines of the House of Representative; Secretary of Finance

Advocated the establishment of close political and economic ties with the United States

On April 15, 1948, following a speech before an audience of assembled airmen at Clark Field Air Base, President Roxas died of a heart attack

5

MANUEL ROXAS

He detailed the challenges the country was facing in the aftermath of war Establishment of the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation (which would be

reorganized in 1958 as the Development Bank of the Philippines); the creation of the Department of Foreign Affair and the organization of the foreign service through Executive Order No. 18; the GI Bill of Rights for Filipino veterans; and the revision of taxation laws to increase government revenues.

Moved to strengthen sovereignty by proposing a Central Bank for the Philippines to administer the Philippine banking system which was established by Republic Act No. 265.

Campaigned for the parity amendment to the 1935 Constitution; demanded by the Philippine Trade Relations Act or the Bell Trade Act, would give American citizens and industries the right to utilize the country’s natural resources in return for rehabilitation support from the United States. The President, with the approval of Congress, proposed this move to the nation through a plebiscite.

US–Philippine Military Bases Agreement of 1947, which gave the United States the right to retain the use of sixteen bases, free of rent, with the option to use seven more for a term of 99 years.

During his administration, the Philippines established diplomatic ties with foreign countries and gained membership to international entities, such as the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), etc.

5

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

A humble barrio school teacher, born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on November 16, 1890

Studied at Manila High School and graduated Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines

He worked at the Bureau of Lands later at Manila Police Department as property clerk; employed at the Philippine Commission and then Philippine Senate

Made by Quezon his Private Secretary Elected as Ilocos Sur representative; elected Senator in

1925, elected Vice-President in 1946; assumed Presidency through succession upon the death of Pres. Roxas

Appointed Secretary of Finance and later Secretary of Interior

6

ELPIDIO QUIRINO

Travelled around the country to inspect firsthand the condition of the nation. Established the Action Committee on Social Amelioration through Administrative

Order No. 68, in order to efficiently promote the welfare of citizens in the rural districts. He established the Social Security Study Commission by virtue of Executive Order No. 150, to investigate socio-economic problems of the working class and formulate legislation developing social welfare. The Labor Management Advisory Board, established by Executive Order No. 158, formulated labor policies and conducted studies on the ways and means of preventing, minimizing, and reconciling labor disputes. The Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration, established by Republic Act. No. 821, assisted farmers in securing credit as well as developing cooperative associations to efficiently market their agricultural commodities.

The Quirino administration reached out to the leaders and members of Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) and the Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) to negotiate peace and put an end to the insurgency. However, it failed to persuade HUKBALAHAP leader Luis Taruc and other rebel leaders, as they conceded to register but never disarm. From 1950 to 1953, Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay and President Quirino exerted efforts in reforming the nation’s Armed Forces and promoting welfare of citizens in the rural areas through the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR) and Land Settlement and Development Corporation (LASEDECO). This resulted to a considerable improvement to the country’s insurgency problem. There were over 25,000 armed communists in early 1950—two thirds of which had either been captured, killed, or had voluntarily surrendered; an estimated 60,000 firearms were surrendered or captured.

6

RAMON MAGSAYSAY

“Man of the Masses” Born in Iba, Zambales on August 31, 1907 Graduated in a degree of Bachelor of Science in

Commerce During World War II, he was an able guerilla

leader and became military governor of his province during the liberation period

On March 17, 1957, President Magsaysay and 25 other passengers of the presidential plane Mt. Pinatubo perished in a crash, at Mt. Manunggal, Cebu. Vice President Carlos P. Garcia succeeded to the presidency on March 18, 1957.

Tenure, 1953-1957

7

RAMON MAGSAYSAY

Established the Presidential Complaint and Action Commission, which investigated various citizen complaints and recommended remedial actions through different government agencies. The principles of the Magsaysay administration were codified in the Magsaysay Credo, and became the theme of leadership and public service.

Established the Social Security Law of 1954 or Republic Act No. 1161. In an effort to solve the problems of communism and insurgency, President Magsaysay sought to protect the farmers, through the creation of laws such as: the Agricultural Tenancy Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 1199; the Land Reform Act of 1955 through Republic Act No. 1400; the formation of the Court of Agrarian Relations through Republic Act No. 1267; and the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) through Republic Act No. 1160.

The administration achieved victory over insurgents with the surrender of Huk leader Luis Taruc in 1954.

Through the Manila Pact of 1954 or the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, led the establishment of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO)

The Laurel-Langley Agreement, signed during the Magsaysay administration, gave the Philippines a preferential trade system with the United States and other countries. Among its provisions were the right to impose quotas on non-quota articles and the right to impose export taxes.

7

CARLOS P. GARCIA

Politician-poet from BoholServed the unexpired term of

Magsaysay

8

CARLOS P. GARCIA

President Garcia used the momentum of the previous administration’s campaign on social welfare and signed the amendment of the Social Security Law through Republic Act 1792, establishing the Social Security System on September 1, 1957.

Promoted the “Filipino First” policy, whose focal point was to regain economic independence; a national effort by Filipinos to “obtain major and dominant participation in their economy.” The administration campaigned for the citizens’ support in patronizing Filipino products and services, and implemented import and currency controls favorable for Filipino industries. In connection with the government’s goal of self-sufficiency was the “Austerity Program,” which President Garcia described in his first State of the Nation Address as “more work, more thrift, more pro ductive investment, and more efficiency” that aimed to mobilize national savings. The Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, through Republic Act No. 301, aimed to prevent corruption, and promote honesty and public trust. Another achievement of the Garcia administration was the Bohlen–Serrano Agreement of 1959, which shortened the term of lease of the US military bases in the country from the previous 99 to 25 years.

President Garcia lost to Vice President Diosdado Macapagal in the presidential race of 1961.

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DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL

• Born on September 28, 1910 in Lubao, Pampanga

• Considered a reformist President• Practiced Law in Manila and aided the

Japanese resistance movement• Worked in a law firm, served as second

secretary to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.; won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1956

• He initiated a campaign to fight graft and corruption and to improve the nation’s economy

9

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL

On May 12, 1962, he issued Proclamation No. 28, s. 1962, which declared June 12 as Independence Day. In 1964, Congress passed Republic Act No. 4166, which formally designated June 12 of every year as the date on which we celebrate Philippine independence.

Among the laws passed during the Macapagal administration were: Republic Act No. 3844 or the Agricultural Land Reform Code (an act that established the Land Bank of the Philippines); Republic Act No. 3466, which established the Emergency Employment Administration; Republic Act No. 3518, which established the Philippine Veterans Bank; Republic Act No. 3470, which established the National Cottage Industries Development Authority (NACIDA) to organize, revive, and promote the establishment of local cottage industries; and Republic Act No. 4156, which established the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to operate the national railroad and tramways. The administration lifted foreign exchange controls as part of the decontrol program in an attempt to promote national economic stability and growth.

In the field of foreign relations, the Philippines became a founding member of Maphilindo, through the Manila Accord of 1963. The regional organization of Malay states strove for “Asian solutions by Asian nations for Asian problems,” and aimed to solve national and regional problems through regional diplomacy.

9

FERDINAND MARCOS

Born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte A lawyer; convicted of a politically motivated murder but won

acquittal after he appealed his own case Under the Marcos administration, the country hosted the

Manila Summit in 1966. The conference aimed to resolve the Vietnam War, and sought the restoration of peace and the promotion of economic stability and development throughout the Asia-Pacific region

President Marcos won his re-election bid in the 1969 presidential elections against Liberal Party’s Sergio Osmeña Jr. President Marcos gained 5,017,343 votes or 61.47% of the electorate to become only the second Philippine president in history to win reelection and the first to do so in the Third Republic.

Died on September 28, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii; his body was returned to the Philippines in 1992

10

FERDINAND MARCOS

Marcos reorganized the Armed Forces, the Philippine Constabulary, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In an attempt to solve the problem of technical smuggling, the Bureau of Customs was also reorganized. The administration, with a goal to strengthen the local economy, devised construction programs and irrigation projects. The promotion of Philippine heritage, culture, and arts was achieved through the establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 1969. [

Among the laws approved by President Marcos were: Republic Act No. 5186 or the Investments Incentives Act; Republic Act No. 4864 or the Police Act of 1966; and Republic Act No. 5173, which established the Philippine Coast Guard.

On the 30th of January 1970, to protest the violent dispersal of the student-led rally during President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address four days earlier, a demonstration was held in front of Malacañan Palace. This event intensified into a protracted and vicious battle between authorities and the students who tried to storm the palace. A fire truck was rammed into one of the Palace gates; properties were destroyed and fires were started by the rallyists. Two persons were reportedly killed and 106 were injured. The incident and the rallies thereafter became known as the First Quarter Storm, a period of unrest marked by a series of demonstrations against the Marcos administration.[29]

On November 27 of the same year, Blessed Pope Paul VI traveled to the Philippines, attending to the 63.2 million Filipino Catholic faithful. It marked the first time the head of the Catholic church visited the country. Surviving an assassination attempt upon his arrival, the Pontiff continued his Philippine visit. He officiated the first Papal Mass in the Far East at the Manila Cathedral, as well as an open-air mass at the Rizal Park.

10

FERDINAND MARCOS

As opposition to President Marcos grew significantly due to corruption in the administration, the Liberal Party then saw an opportunity in the midterm elections of 1971. TheMiting de Avance of the Liberal Party held at Plaza Miranda on August 21, 1971 was cut short when two bombs were hurled at the opposition candidates, killing nine people and injuring about a hundred.[30] Because of this incident, President Marcos suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus, leading to the arrest and incarceration of twenty people.

The Plaza Miranda bombing, alongside the increasing strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military wing, the New People’s Army, and the Marcos-staged ambush on the convoy of Secretary of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile on the night of September 22, 1972, were the pretext for Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law on September 23, 1972, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081. The said proclamation was dated September 21, when in fact it was only put into effect on September 23.

Opponents of the administration were incarcerated; decree-making powers were asserted by the President, and when the ongoing Constitutional Convention produced a draft document, a series of “barangay assemblies” were held to prevent Congress from convening as scheduled in January, 1973. After claiming approval of a new Constitution, the dictatorship ordered Congress padlocked. The “ratification” of the 1973 Constitution marked the end of the Third Republic and the beginning of the Bagong Lipunan—the New Society as the martial law regime was called—under President Marcos.

10

CORAZON C. AQUINO

Born on January 25, 1933 into a wealthy and politically prominent family based in Tarlac province

First woman PresidentGraduated in 1954 with a Bachelors of Arts

degree major in French at St. Vincent College

Decided to study law at FEU but did not completed; married to Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1956.

Died in August 1, 2009 due to colon cancer

11

FIDEL V. RAMOS

Born on March 18, 1928Passed a competitive examination that

qualified him for a government scholarship to the US Military Academy; pursued further studies in engineering in the University of Illinois

Fought during the 1952 Korean War; chief of staff of the Philippine Civil Action Group to Vietnam in 1966-1968

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a four-star general rank

12

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

Born on April 19, 1937 in TondoServed as Mayor of San Juan for 17 years;

elected Senator from 1987-1992; won Vice-President in 1992; President in 1998

Appointed by Ramos as Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC)

Ousted in EDSA People Power 2 in January 19-20, 2001 due to jueteng scandal

13

GLORIA M. ARROYO

An economist, journalist, teacher and later a public servant

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