GROUP 1

UNIT V:
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
LESSON 1: THE EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND GOVERNANCE

HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

THE ANCIENT FILIPINOS:

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
 The "barangay" is composed of well-organized and independent villages. The name
originated from "balangay" meaning sailboats, evident from the sailboats which brought our
ancestors to the Philippines.
 The barangays generally consisted of 30 to 100 families. Some were quite large having a
population of more than 2,000 already by the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. Among
them were Sugbu (Cebu), Bigan (Vigan), and Maktan (Mactan). Maynilad (Manila) was
approximately 4,000 already.
 These barangays made wars, made peace, traded and had relations with each other.
Manila, when Legazpi came to conquer, was already a center for trade. Islamic sultanates
in Mindanao such as the Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao, have prospered.
 The BARANGAY originated from “balangay” meaning sailboats, evident from the sailboats
which brought our ancestors to the Philippines

THE PRE-COLONIAL SOCIETY

 The pre-colonial society was divided into three social classes namely: 1. Maharlika (nobles)
2. Timawa (freemen) 3. Alipin (slaves). The nobles constituted the barangay's highest social
class.To the Maharlika belonged the affluent slave-owning families that included the Datu.
The Timawa consisted the middle class who composed the majority of the people of the
barangay.
 The lowest class was the Alipin which consisted two types: a. the "namamahay" who
enjoyed some rights like owning properties and b. the "saguiguilid", who lived in their
master's house and could be sold anytime.

THE BARANGAY CHIEF: DATU

 The ancient Filipinos who lived in barangays were ruled by a chieftain called datu, who
were addressed either as Raja or Lakan. The datu exercised all powers of government. He
was the chief executive, the lawmaker, and the judge, so much so that he became very
powerful and influential. He obtained his position either by inheritance, strength, bravery or
wisdom.
 The Datu promulgated laws with the help of the elders or advisers consisting of former
datus. Once a law was made,a town crier called Umalohokan, would go around the village
and announce to the people the new law. Violators were punished by fines, swimming for
long hours, exposure to ants, death or slavery.

SPANISH ERA
 The Philippines was a crown colony ruled by Spain through Mexico from 1565 to1821, as
such, Spain ruled the Philippines with the help of the Council of the Indies, created in 1524,
which was an overseas ministry governing the colonies of Spain.
 The head of the council was the Viceroy of Mexico. Laws in the Philippines were from Spain
and consisted of royal decrees issued by the king. The laws were compiled to become the
colonial code entitled "Recopilacion de las Leyes de Indias," or the Laws of Indies.
SPANISH INSTITUTIONS
 Part of the Spanish rule was the institution of systems adopted by all the colonies. Among
these was the Polo, the forced labor rendered by Filipinos and the falla, the exemption fee
for forced labor.
 Another was the paying of the tribute, or the tax called tributo, which was replaced by the
cedula tax. Bandala was also a system that oppressed the Filipinos wherein farm produce
were sold compulsory to the government.

SPANISH GOVERNOR- GENERAL

 The chief executive of the Philippines was the general. He was the king's official
representative to the colony governor. He possessed tremendous powers with executive,
legislative and judicial powers under his control. As chief executive he enforced the Spanish
laws and royal decrees in the Philippines. He appointed all subordinate officials including
the "alcalde mayor" (provincial governor).
 For his legislative power, he enacted and issued laws, regulations and decrees. For his
judicial power, he was the president or presiding officer of the "Royal Audencia", the
supreme court of the Philippines during the Spanish era. He was also the commander in
chief of the armed forces.The governor also had ecclesiastic powers, the power to
recommend priests for appointment and intervene in controversies within the Church.
During the encomienda period, he was in full control of the operations of the church.

GOOD SPANISH GOVERNOR-GENERALS

 From 1565-1898, a total of 122 governors general served in the Philippines. Accordingly,
there were more undesirable governors who only exploited the Filipinos than serve them.
There were, however, a few good men who truly served well and are remembered by
Filipinos.
 One was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who was the first governor general, from 1565-1572 and
is remembered for his diplomacy with the natives. At a time of rigid racism, Legazpi worked
on for the Spaniards and native Filipinos to live together as one community. He is
remembered for founding the cities of Manila and Cebu.
 Historical Background Spanish colonization in the Philippines started in 1565 during the
time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi,the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
Miguel Lopez de Legarps
 Literature started to flourish during his time.

Another outstanding governor was Jose Basco y Vargas (1778-1787) for his agricultural
contributions, and economic programs that made Philippines financially independent from Mexico.
He established the "Economic Society of the Friends of the Country," to help in the development of
agriculture, and in 1782,established the tobacco monopoly.

Jose Basco y Vargas

 44th governor of the Philippines
 formulated a general economic plan (self-sufficiency of the colony) established Sociedad
Economica de los Amigos del Pais

The most liberal-minded governor general was Carlos Ma. De la Torre (1869-1871). His
liberal policies included the abolition of press censorship and the encouragement of
liberal discussions. He encouraged movements calling for reforms and sympathized with the
Filipinos aspirations for freedom and change.

Liberal Regime of De La Torre

 He was welcomed by both Filipinos and Spaniards -- June 23, 1869
 A liberal Spaniard who practiced liberal and democratic principles He abolished flogging,
relaxed media censorship, and began limited secularization of education
SPAIN INSTITUTED THE CENTRALIZED FORM OF GOVERNMENT
 Spain instituted the centralized form of government. The barangays became part of the
unitary government. Philippines was divided into provinces of two types: 1) the pacified
provinces called alcaldia mayor headed by the alcalde mayor and, 2) the unpacified
provinces called corregimentos, each under a corregidor. The provinces were divided into
towns or pueblos, administered by a gobernacillo (petty governor).
 Another town official was the teniente mayor (chief lieutenant) who was in charge of peace
and order. A pueblo was divided into barrios or barangays under a cabesa. Both the
gobernardorcillo and cabesa served without salary. Large towns were organized into cities.
The city government was called avuntamiento. The council that governed the city was the
cabildo composed of the alcalde regidores, alguacil mayor and the escribano.

THE DIOCESE OF MANILA

 Under the Patronato Real, in the case of Spain, the Church was placed under the care of
the royal government. The Diocese of Manila, with its bishop, was at the top of the
ecclesiastical hierarchy in the colony. The bishop was appointed by the pope upon the
recommendation of the king of Spain. The other early dioceses established were Cebu,
Nueva Caceres (Naga) and Nueva Segovia (Vigan), all in 1595 the Diocese of Jaro (lloilo)
was created on May 27, 1865.
 The four regular orders assigned to Christianize the natives, were the Augustinians, who
came with Legazpi, the Discalced Franciscans (1578), the Jesuits (1581), and the
Dominican friars (1587).

ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM
 Part of the process on how Spain governed was through the "encomienda system", the first
governmental system where lands were politically divided to those given grants, a reward
for persons who have rendered valuable services to the king of Spain. Those who were
given were called "encomenderos." The grant of encomienda, by the Spanish Crown was
one that of a trusteeship.
 The first to benefit were men of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish Governor-
General, who colonized Cebu. The three classes of encomienda were the royal,
ecclesiastical and private. Those that were set aside for the king were “royal"; those
assigned to the religious order were "ecclesiastical encomiendas"; and for those who
helped in the conquest and colonization were "private encomiendas" or repartimientos.

ROLES OF ENCOMENDEROS
 The land belonged to the Spanish Crown but the encomendero received income from the
land, imposed the tribute and governed the people therein. He was obliged by law to (a)
promote the welfare of his constituents, (b) protect them from enemies (bandits and
pirates), (c) assist the Church in evangelization, (d)maintain peace and order, (e) promote
education, and (f) render humane treatment among his subjects. Most encomenderos
abused their power and committed acts of injustice. Subsequently, the encomienda system
was abolished beginning the 19th century. It was a primary cause of rebellions that broke
out in the islands. The encomiendas were transformed become part of provinces. Former
encomenderos were given vast tracks of "hacienda" lands for their ownership.

FILIPINO RESISTANCE (REVOLTS)

 The imposition of the polo, the tribute and other Spanish policies, the delegation of strong
political powers to the friars referred to as "frailocracy", and all the injustices, abuses and
maladministration committed by the government officials met resistance all throughout the
islands at different periods during the colonization.
 About a hundred revolts and other forms of resistance were launched for freedom and
justice. Some had momentary successes and were left alone without intrusion, however, in
the end, the colonizers still prevailed.
DAHOHOY REVOLT: LONGEST FILIPINO REVOLT
FRANCISCO DAGOHOY
(Bohol, c. 1740)
Enraged by the refusal of a Spanish friar to bury his brother, he led a rebellion against Spanish
rule which lasted from 1744 to 1829. The rebellion which was also fueled by excesses of the
Spanish authorities lasted for more than 30 years, the longest in Philippine history.

VARIOUS NATIVE REVOLTS

 Some of the Filipino heroes who emerged during these periods were: Magalat (Cagayan
revolt of 1596); Francisco Sumorov (Samar revolt of 1649); Tamblot and Bankaw (Religious
revolts in Bohol and Leyte); Dagohoy (85 years of Boholano revolt, 1744-1829); Diego and
Gabriela Silang (llocos revolt); Hermano Pule (Tagalog religious revolt of 1840); and the
many Muslim resistance which extended throughout the entire period of colonization.

REVOLUTION AND THE FIRST REPUBLIC

 Dr. Jose Rizal left the Propaganda in Europe and returned to the Philippines to introduce
change through his civic association La Liga Filipina. But then he was arrested and put to
exile where he will stay for 4 years. In Rizal's absence the Katipunan was founded and
advocated complete Philippine independence, thereby starting the Philippine Revolution in
1896 under the command of Andres Bonifacio.

RIZAL'S EXILE AND EXECUTION

 After Rizal's exile, he was put to trial being implicated as primary leader of the revolt, was
executed of Jose on December 30, 1896. The revolution intensified.

INTERNAL RIFT IN THE REVOLUTION

 The Katipunan in Cavite, the revolution stronghold, was split into the Magdiwang and
Magdalo factions. The Tejeros convention in 1897 was held for unity, resulting to the
dissolution of the Katipunan and the founding of the revolutionary government. Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected President while Bonifacio, who was almost disqualified, rejected all
results of the conference and walked out. Bonifacio was hunted down, arrested, tried for
treason and executed.

EMILIO AGUINALDO
 Right after Bonifacio's death, the Spanish forces was strengthened. Aguinaldo and his men
retreated northward reaching Biak-na-Bato, Bulacan. The Spaniards and the revolutionaries
signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, that provided for Aguinaldo's exile to Hong Kong, and
amnesty and payment of indemnities by the Spaniards to the revolutionaries. However,
both sides violated the agreement, and this gave an opportunity for the US admiral George
Dewey to lead his squadron to Manila Bay, defeating the Spanish navy.

FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

 Aguinaldo returned from exile, most of the Philippine revolutionists rallied to his cause, and
negotiated with the Americans, while the Americans in 1898 defeated the Spaniards in what
was called a mock battle in Manila, and took control of the city. Aguinaldo then proclaimed
the independence of the Philippines on June 12, 1898 in Cavite. The Malolos Congress
was convened in January 1899 in Barasoain Church.

TREATY OF PARIS
 The Americans bought the Philippines from Spain with Guam and Puerto Rico through the
Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 with strong opposition from Aguinaldo's government
and inaugurated the first Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899.
 The Americans have also built the U.S. Military Government to strengthen their position.
The Philippine-American War erupted in February 4, 1899 in a skirmish in Manila; the
Filipinos lost the battle, and Aguinaldo again began a northward retreat. After many battles,
 Aguinaldo was captured on April 1, 1901 at Palanan, Isabela, while the Americans had
already started setting up a civil government to replace the military one.

AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND WW2

 The Americans passed the Philippine Organic Act in 1902 to introduce a national
government; by 1907, an election to the Philippine Assembly was held. Led by Sergio
Osmeña, the assembly was held predominantly by the Nacionalista Party, which advocated
independence.
 The Americans controlled the Philippine Commission, the upper house of the Philippine
Legislature. Under the Jones Law of 1916 the Philippine Assembly and Commission were
later replaced by a bicameral Congress. However, the Nacionalistas were split between the
camps of Sen. Osmeña and Senate President Manuel L. Quezon

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE MISSIONS

 Several independence missions went to the US and the OsRox Mission led by Osmeña and
House Speaker Manuel Roxas resulted to the independence law Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act.
However, the Quezon rejected this and worked on another law, the Tydings-McDuffie Law
which was minimally different from the previous one. The law facilitated for the
Commonwealth of the Philippines, a 10 year preparatory government.

LAST PRE-WAR ELECTIONS

 Quezon and Osmeña reunited, and were elected as president and vice president
respectively in 1935. With independence in the near future, Quezon pushed for
constitutional amendments that would allow him to a second term, and the restoration of a
bicameral legislature. Both amendments were achieved as Quezon, Osmeña and the
Nacionalista Party as a whole won the elections in 1941.

PHILIPPINES UNDER JAPANESE RULE

 The Japanese invasion of 1941 at the onset of World War II delayed the independence,
forced the Commonwealth government to go into exile, and subjected the country to a
puppet government. Initially, the Japanese created the Executive Commission as the
collaborating government for the occupied Philippines, created KALIBAPI which became
the only political party, and Jose P. Laurel was declared president of the Second Philippine
Republic.
 This nationalist government espoused anti-American sentiment. In 1944, the Philippines
was liberated with the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the Allied Forces. Osmeña,
who succeeded Quezon upon the latter's death, restored the Commonwealth government.
 Presidents of the Philippines and their Achievements and Contributions

1. General Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901)

To make it easier for you to master, always remember why Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was on the
5-peso bill (which is not used anymore, instead his head-profile is on the 5-peso coin) bearing
the Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, it’s because he was
the first president of the Philippines First Republic (a.k.a. Malolos Republic).
Contributions and Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo:
 First president
 Youngest president – he became the country’s leader at age 28
 Longest-lived president – he died when he was 94
 One of the active leaders of KKK
 Signed the Pact of Biak na Bato Known as the President of the Revolutionary
Government
 He fought against the Spanish and American to retain our independence

2. Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945)

Laurel was the third to sit at the office during Japanese occupation of World War II. He was the
only Filipino president to have been shot outside of combat.
Contributions and Achievements of Jose P. Laurel:
 He was considered as the legitimate president of the Philippines
 He organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas).
 He declared Martial Law in 1944
 He and his family developed the establishment of Lyceum of the Philippines.

3. Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944)

Notable facts about Manuel Luis Quezon is that, he is known as the “Father of National Language”
(Ama ng Wikang Pambansa) and he died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis. I’ve
seen his life-sized wax statue inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, it was well crafted.
Contributions and Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon:
• First Senate president elected as President of the Philippines
• First president elected through a national election
• First president under the Commonwealth
• He created National Council of Education
• He initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth
• He made Tagalog / Filipino as the national language of the Philippines
• He appears on the twenty-peso bill
• A province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila were named after him
• His body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

4. Sergio Osmeña (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946)

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth; he succeeded Quezon after his
death.
Contributions and Achievements of Sergio Osmena:
• He was 65 when he became president– making him the oldest president to hold office
• He was the first Visayan to become president
• He joined US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of
the Philippines from the Japanese during World War II
• During his time, the Philippine National Bank has been rehabilitated and the country joined
the International Monetary Fund
• On his time, the Bell Trade Act was approved by the US Congress
• Sergio Osmena appears on the 50 peso bill

5. Manuel Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines overall but he was considered as the third and last
president under the Commonwealth and the first of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He only
sat in the office for 1 year, 10 months and 18 days.
Contributions and Achievements of Manuel A. Roxas:
• Was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the Philippines
was finally free after the WW II
• In his time, the country has started reconstruction from war damage and the Philippines
started breathing without foreign rule
• Under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were
accepted by the congress
• He is in the 100 peso bill

6. Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

He was the vice president at Roxas time. He became president when the latter died in 1948.
Contributions and Achievements of Elpidio Quirino:
• Under his term Hukbalahap movement was active
• He created Social Security Commission
• He also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption
• In 1948, Quezon City was the capital of the Philippines
• Peso and dollar exchange rate at his time was 1 US = P2

7. Ramon Magsaysay (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

He was born in Iba, Zambales, was a military governor, and engineer. He died on a plane crash on
Dec. 1957, boarding the presidential plane named “Mt. Pinatubo
Contributions and Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay:
• Was a chairman of the Committee on Guerilla Affairs
• Was the first president sworn into office wearing Barong Tagalog in his inauguration
• His presidency was referred as the Philippines’ Golden Years for it was the cleanest and zero
corruption
• The Philippines was ranked 2nd in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries
• He established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among his
agrarian reforms

8. Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

Another lawyer, Carlos P. Garcia was a poet, teacher, and guerilla leader too. Born from Bohol, he
was the vice president of Magsaysay and secretary of Foreign Affairs for 4 years. He became
president when Magsaysay died in 1957.
Contributions and Achievements of Carlos P. Garcia
• He was known for “Filipino First Policy”
• He established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce
• Was known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “bard from Bohol”
• Cultural arts was revived during his term
• Was the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

9. Diosdado Macapagal (December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965)

He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal is the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
the 14th and second woman president of the Philippines. He was a lawyer and a professor, too.
Contributions and Achievements of Diosdado Macapagal:
• He established the first Land Reform Law
• He placed the Philippines currency – peso, on the currency exchange market
• He made June 12 1898 as the Philippines’ Independence Day
• He signed the Minimum Wage Law
• He signed the creation of the Philippine Veteran’s Bank
 10. Ferdinand Marcos (December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)
Born from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a lawyer and Senate President for 3
years. He was president for 21 years and only quit office after the People Power Revolution. His
wife, Imelda Marcos became quite popular in the world too. His term was the most controversial
and messy one because of Martial Law and People Power although Marcos has contributed a lot
of nice things in the Philippines. He was one of the best and brightest presidents even though their
family was rumored to have embezzled public funds to Switzerland and other wealthy countries.
Contributions and Achievements of Ferdinand Marcos:
• He was the first president to win a second term
• He declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972
• He increased the size of Philippine military and armed forces
• In 1980, GNP was 4 times greater than 1972
• In 1986, the Philippines was one of the most indebted countries in Asia
• He built more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals and infrastructures than all former
presidents did combined
• Is the only president whose remains interred inside a refrigerated crypt

11. Corazon Aquino (February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman president in Asia, Cory Aquino is
the wife of Benigno Aquino Jr. (who was assassinated during Marcos regime). She was born in
Paniqui, Tarlac
Contributions and Achievements of Corazon Aquino:
• Was named “Woman of the Year” in 1986 by Time magazine
• First woman president of the Philippines and Asia
• She’s known to bring back democracy in the country
• She abolished 1973 Marcos Constitution brought the new Constitution of the Philippines
• She reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government
• Signed the Family Code of 1987 and 1191 Local Government Code
• She always initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the need
• She’s been cited as a modern-day Joan of Arc by many
• She is in the new 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquinoshe has received
great honors and awards such as one of; 100 Women Who Shaped World History
• 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century
• 65 Great Asian Heroes
• A recipient of J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding

12. Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

FVR was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became president.
Unknown to many, he’s also a civil engineer. He brought back economic growth and stability in the
country in spite of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He is the first and only non-Catholic president
of the Philippines.
Contributions and Achievements of Fidel V. Ramos
• During his time, the Philippines was cited as Asia’s Next Economic Tiger because he brought
back economic growth
• The Philippines celebrated Centennial Independence in 1998
• He’s the only Filipino who received British Knighthood from the United Kingdom, bestowed
by Queen Elizabeth II (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George)
• He led the 4th APEC Summit held in the Philippines
• His “Philippines 2000” vision made the Philippine Stock Exchange one of the best in the
world in the mid-90s

13. Joseph Estrada (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)

Known as Erap, he was the first president who was a famous film actor. His governance had so
many downs due to controversies, impeachment and slow economic growth. I think he’s the first
president who has been impeached and the second one who was forced to leave the office
because of People Power III in Edsa. Philippine economy was at its worst because of leadership
uncertainty.
Contributions and Achievements of Joseph “Erap” Estrada:
• During his time, the MILF’s headquarters and camps were captured
• He joined other leaders and politicians who supported against the Charter Change
• Was cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989
• Was among the “Magnificent 12” who voted for the termination of the Philippines and US
Military Bases Agreement from Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Bas

14. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010)
Gloria Arroyo, daughter of ex-president Diosdado Macapagal, was the second female president of
the Philippines. She was 14 when she moved and lived in the Malacanang Palace. Oakwood
Mutiny occurred on her term. There were also lots of messy controversies against Gloria like
impeachments and the Hello Garci disgrace but Gloria has known to have contributed big record
for road, bridges infrastructures and higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents term did.
Amid the 2008 global financial crisis, the Philippines still had an impressive GDP growth and it was
so hard to keep it afloat but she did.
Contributions and Achievements of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:
• Second female president of the country
• First and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far (to date)
• First president to had oath taking outside Luzon
• An ex-professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University where Noynoy Aduino was
one of her students.
 An ex-classmate of former US president Bill Clinton at Georgetown University’s Walsh
School of Foreign Service where she maintained Dean’s list status.
 She regained higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents before her.
 Philippine economy grew at its fastest in 3 decades in 2007, GDP exceeding 7% growth.
 US ex-president Bill Clinton cited Gloria’s “tough decisions” because of her brilliant strategy
to make the country’s economy back in shape amidst the 2008 global financial crisis.
 Peso became the best performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007
 eVAT Law was implemented under her term
 she is currently in the 200 peso bill

15. Benigno Aquino III (June 30, 2010 – June 30 2016)

Son of the first female president of the Philippines and Asia – Corazon Aquino, Benigno Aquino III
Aquino a.k.a. NoyNoy joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his presidency.
He is the first president who is a bachelor, unmarried and has no children.
Contributions and Achievements of Benigno Aquino III:
 he created the no wang-wang policy and this was practiced on his inaugural address
 he assigned the notable Jesse Robredo as the secretary of DILG in 2010.
 He initiated the K-12 education in the Philippines
 He renamed the Office of the Press Secretary into Presidential Communications Operations
Office and appointed new officers
 He signed an EO about suspension of allowances and bonuses of GOCCs and GFIs board
members
 Has paved peace in Mindanao thru the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement
 In 2012, the Philippine economy grew 7.1% besting other South East Asian countries

16. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (June 30, 2016 –June 30 2022)

Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the 16thpresident of the Philippines. He’s one of the most loved
presidents. He’s earned a massive fanbase after transforming one of the most dangerous cities
(Davao) into one of the world’s safest when he was a mayor. At age 71, he became the oldest
Filipino ever elected to the presidency.
Contributions and Achievements of Rodrigo Duterte:
  He earned Political Science Degreefrom Lyceum of the Philippines in 1968
 Obtained Law Degreefrom San Beda College in 1972
 He initiated decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airportin Manila, the country’s
main gateway
 Signed the Freedom of Information Order
 Duterte launched a 24-hour complaint hotline, 8888
 He signed an order for Smoking Banin public places
 Boracay Islandwas rehabilitated during his term
 Launched the Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program
 Duterte signed the TRAIN Law and Comprehensive Tax Reform Program
 One of Forbeslist of World’s Most Powerful Peoplein 2016
 Duterte has been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine

17. .Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (June 30,2022–Present)

Bongbong Marcos is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos. In 1966,
young Bongbong and his sister Imee were two of the children waiting for the Beatles to attend a
reception at the palace in a miscommunication between their mother and the band that later
became known as the “Manila incident.” Before becoming president, Bongbong was the governor
of Ilocos Norte, a member of the House of Representatives, and a senator.
Contributions and Achievements Ferdinand “bongbong” Marcos
 After he took the oath of office of president, Marcos appointed himself Secretary of
Agriculture to personally monitor and expand food and agricultural programs.
 One of his first executive actions was to abolish the Presidential Anti Corruption
Commission.
 Starting in August 2022, the Marcos administration has been exploring ways to boost the
country’s military capabilities.
 Marcos has also been seeking ways to strengthen education and the economy, which were
both compromised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 On the international stage, Bongbong Marcos is considered relatively pro-American but
seems open to closer ties with China.

GROUP 1 MEMBERS
MA.MADELLENE MUROS
KEZIAH JEMIMAH BANTANG
LEONARD BENASA
ROLLY MAHINAY
BJOHN MENDEZ
.