Cory Aquino

Cory Aquino did not aspire to be a politician. In 1955, after graduating from Mount St. Vincent College in
New York City, she married Benigno Aquino (nicknamed “Ninoy”), a young politician. She supported her
husband’s career as he was elected senator, raising 5 children at home.

Ninoy Aquino became a popular, outspoken opponent of Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator who held the
presidency from 1965. In 1972, Ninoy was imprisoned for eight long years, and then exiled to the United
States. Ninoy was finally allowed to return to his homeland in 1983, only to be assassinated the moment
he arrived.

Ninoy’s imprisonment, exile, and assassination outraged the people and spurred Ferdinand’s opposition.
The economic problems of the country deteriorated even further, and the government went further into
debt.

After her husband’s assassination, Cory took his place as the leader of the opposition. In 1985,
Ferdinand suddenly announced an election to legitimize his hold on the country. Cory was reluctant to
run at first, but changed her mind after being presented with one million signatures urging her to run for
president.

During Cory’s run for president, Ferdinand Marcos derided her with sexist statements, saying she was
“just a woman” whose place was in the bedroom. Cory just answered: “May the better woman win in
this election.” He also attacked her inexperience in politics. Cory responded by admitting she had “no
experience in cheating, lying to the public, stealing government money, and killing political opponents.”

After the elections were held in February 1986, Marcos was declared the winner. There were numerous
reports of election fraud, and the outcome was condemned by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines and the United States Senate. Ronald Reagan called the the fraud reports “disturbing” in an
official statement.

Cory immediately called for peaceful civil disobedience protests, and for organized strikes and mass
boycotts of the media and businesses owned by Marcos. Filipinos were enthusiastic in their support.
These popular, peaceful demonstrations came to be known as the People Power Revolution. Though
Marcos ordered troops against the thousands of protesters (including whole families and nuns and
priests), not a shot was fired and the troops withdrew and many defected.

By the end of February, Ferdinand Marcos withdrew from power, fleeing to Hawaii, and Cory Aquino
became the President of the Philippines.

Cory’s ascention to the office of president signalled a new era for Filipinos. During the first few months
of her presidency, the Philippines experienced radical changes and reforms. Cory immediately created a
Constitutional Commission in charge of drafting a new constitution, and created the Presidential
Commission on Good Government which went after Marcos’s ill-gotten wealth.

The new Corazon Aquino Administration gave strong emphasis and concern for civil liberties and human
rights, and peace talks with communist insurgents and Muslim secessionists. Cory also focused on
bringing back economic health and confidence. The Aquino administration succeeded in paying off $4
billion of the country’s outstanding debts.

Cory was also a lifelong member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an international organization
of former and current female heads of state and government that helps to mobilize women world
leaders to take action on issues critical to the leadership, empowerment and development of women.

In 1992, President Aquino strongly declined the requests for her to seek reelection. She wanted to set
an example to both citizens and politicians, in contrast to Ferdinand Marcos, that the presidency is not a
lifetime position. She still remained active in the public eye, however, often voicing her views and
opinions on the pressing political issues.
Cory Aquino passed away in 2009 of cancer. Her death elicited a worldwide reaction, and thousands
attended her wake and funeral. Filipino Catholics called on the Church to have Aquino canonized and
declared as a saint.

Hillary Clinton said that Aquino was “admired by the world for her extraordinary courage” in leading the
fight against dictatorship. Pope Benedict XVI applauded her “courageous commitment to the freedom of
the Filipino people, her firm rejection of violence and intolerance”

Cory was an amazing woman who had a huge impact on the freedom and welfare of millions of people.
She accomplished so much in her life and was beloved by many people.

Policies and Programs

1. Restoration of Democracy

• abolished the legislature

• declared a revolutionary government

• wrote a new constitution (1987 Constitution)

2. Land Reform
3. Free Secondary Schooling
4. Proclamation No.9

Cory issues Proclamation No. 9 which provides for the creation of a constitutional commission (Concom)
to draft a new charter “truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino People,” on or before
September 2 of the same year. She appoints 48 men and women, led former justice Cecilia Muñoz
Palma, to be members of the Concom.

5. Proclamation no. 1

Cory, in her inaugural address, issues her first edict: Proclamation No. 1 calling all appointive public
officials to submit their courtesy resignations. In her speech, she proceeded to reorganize the
government issuing Executive Order No. 1—appointing Cabinet ministers and task forces to help her run
the government.

6. Proclamation no.3

One month after assuming the presidency, Cory issues Proclamation No. 3, proclaiming her government
a “revolutionary government.” With this, she suspends the 1973 Constitution installed during martial
law and promulgates a provisional “Freedom Constitution,” which vests legislative making powers on
her, pending the enactment of the new constitution.

7. Executive Order no.88

Cory issues Executive Order 48: Creating an Ad Hoc Special Committee to supervise the liquidation of
the affairs of the Constitutional Commission of 1986, preservation of its records, and to undertake its
constitutional education campaign.

8. United States trading in the First Philippine Fund Inc.

On November 9, she opens United States trading in the First Philippine Fund Inc. She later spoke at a
meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the United States-Philippine Business
Committee, where she urged American business to increase its investment in the Philippines.

9. Ratification of a 1991 Treaty

A president must also learn how to bow to the inevitable, as Cory had to do with the negotiations on the
renewal of the US lease on its military bases in the Philippines. After keeping her options open, she
signaled her support for the ratification of a 1991 treaty allowing the Americans continued access to the
installation for ten years, with the option to renew for another ten. The Senate voted 12-11 against the
agreement and the Americans were out of the country by 1992.

10. Administrative Code of 1987

Establishes the various Cabinet departments and offices falling within the executive branch of
government, and under the direct control and supervision of the President. The Code also prescribes the
administrative procedure undertaken in proceedings before the offices under the executive department.

• Executive Order No. 228, July 16, 1987 – Declared full ownership to qualified farmer-
beneficiaries covered by PD 27. It also determined the value remaining unvalued rice and corn lands
subject of PD 27 and provided for the manner of payment by the FBs and mode of compensation to
landowners.

• Executive Order No. 229, July 22, 1987 – Provided mechanism for the implementation of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

• Proclamation No. 131, July 22, 1987 – Instituted the CARP as a major program of the
government. It provided for a special fund known as the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), with an initial
amount of Php50 billion to cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992.

• Executive Order No. 129-A, July 26, 1987 – streamlined and expanded the power and operations
of the DAR.

• Republic Act No. 6657, June 10, 1988 (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law) – An act which
became effective June 15, 1988 and instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform program to promote
social justice and industrialization providing the mechanism for its implementation and for other
purposes. This law is still the one being implemented at present.

• Executive Order No. 405, June 14, 1990 – Vested in the Land Bank of the Philippines the
responsibility to determine land valuation and compensation for all lands covered by CARP.

• Executive Order No. 407, June 14, 1990 – Accelerated the acquisition and distribution of
agricultural lands, pasture lands, fishponds, agro-forestry lands and other lands of the public domain
suitable for agriculture.

SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE

Corazon Aquino became the president of the country because the people believed she was the positive
change they needed especially since her husband, Ninoy, who was supposed to be the change for the
country, passed away in a gunshot. During her administration, Cory was plagued by coup d’etats by
various groups that foreign investors started to pull their investments from the country. That’s why a lot
of her efforts were pointed towards disaster management from the various groups and sometimes, her
motherly methods such as giving cake worked. She was also linked to controversies such as massacring
farmers in Mendiola and holding the land she inherited rather than having it distributed. Despite these
problems, The economy still had a positive growth during her term with an average of 3.8% by the end
of it. Cory, although wasn’t the best qualified president, still did a pretty good job. Compared to Marcos
or Ramos though, it still fell short of what truly makes a spectacular leader which is why she’s rated as
average.
Fidel Ramos

The Ramos administration remedied the energy crisis and proceeded to create a hospitable
environment for economic recovery. Peace was successfully negotiated with the military rebels and the
MNLF; it proved to be more elusive with the NDF. A more open economy was created through a series
of macroeconomic reforms. Consequently, by the time of the Asian financial crisis that swept the region
in 1997, the Philippine economy was stable enough to escape serious damage. A proactive foreign and
security policy prevented the deterioration of relations with China, one of several countries with which
the Philippines disputed a claim to certain islands and islets in the South China Sea. Ramos’s foreign
policy also earned positive diplomatic gains for the country abroad.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada (1998-2001)

CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES

During the 1998 presidential election campaign, like most presidential campaign, the competition did
not do anything between political platforms and programs. Estrada’s strategists were aware that there is
a large percent of the population who are poor and uneducated or “masa” who were looking for a
candidate whom they could relate to. Using the slogan “Erap para sa mahirap”, Estrada succeeded in
inspiring the lower class people with a hope that if he wins, he will the president of the masses. Estrada
was inaugurated on June 30, 1998 in the historical town of Malolos in Bulacan province in paying tribute
to the cradle of the First Philippine Republic.

During Estrada’s administration, the economic teamwas strong but during the latter part, the admin
failed to capitalize on the gains of the previous administration. When Estrada was accused of influencing
an investigation in the stock market manipulation, foreign investments declined. The Asian Financial
Crisis and climatic disturbance hindered economic performance of the country. Towards the end of his
term, the fiscal deficit doubled to more than Php100 billion. However, GNP increased to 3.6% from 0.1%
and GDP incurred a 4% growth rate. Debt reached Php2.1 Trillion in 1999. Inflation rate went down from
11% to just a little over 3%. The Estrada administration upheld the foreign policy thrusts of the Ramos
administration, focusing on national security, economic diplomacy, assistance to nationals, and image-
building. The Philippines continued to be at the forefront of the regional and multilateral arena.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS

Estrada’s agrarian reform was for the benefit of those farmers living in the rural areas. CARP was for the
benefit of those farmers who do not own their own land. He distributed hectares of land to those who
are landless. Farmers’ Trust Fund was intended for those farmers who have small and medium capital to
extend their business into a large scale accessing long term loans from the fund.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force was launched in order to reduce crimes such as
car/kidnapping. He also created the Philippines Center on Transnational Crime. Its objective is to
implement law enforcement for the prevention of crimes. Estrada also implemented the death penalty
where its objective is also, to reduce serious crimes.

The Charter change turned out to be a big issue in the government. This charter change was intended to
recreate the constitution. Apparently, it was not really for the benefit of the economy or the country. It
was for Estrada’s own benefit to gain more power and use more government money.

Estrada also formulated the RP-US Visiting Forces agreement. This is requiring US government to notify
RP authorities when it becomes aware of the apprehension, arrest or detention of any RP personnel
visiting the U.S. and when so requested by the RP government, to ask the appropriate authorities to
waive jurisdiction in favor of RP, except cases of special interest to the U.S. departments of State or
Defense. This was for the economy of the country.

SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE

Joseph Estrada was elected as president gaining most of the votes from the people. Erap won the hearts
of the poor by promising them with a life where suffering does not exist. He also made it to a point to
prioritize the development of the economy. Under the Asian financial crisis, Estrada did not do well in
making the economy survive. Unemployment rate went up, budget deficit grew and the currency fell.
Eventually, the economy recovered but at a much slower pace than other asian countries. Estrada
waged an all out war against the MILF which affected a huge number of people. Crime rate also went up
because of the occurring kidnapping and killings. Estrasa was charged of receiving a big amount from
illegal gambling payoffs. He was impeached. The masses protested and demanded for Erap’s resignation
bringin about EDSA 2 revolution.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE

President Arroyo was named the 14th president of the Philippines during the People Power II, January
20, 2001 in Edsa when former President Joseph Estrada was forced out of office because of allegations
of plunder and corruption. The president faced a lot of challenges in her early presidency which includes
an unstable economy and protests by the supporters of Estrada. Another one of her problems include
the ongoing battle between the government and the rebels. Despite the problems and issues regarding
her administration, she has also done a lot for the Philippines including lifting the Philippines out of its
financial crisis.

In 2004, she won the elections and was elected to a full term presidency until 2010. During her inaugural
speech, she vowed to create 10 million jobs in the next six years, balance the budget of the Philippines,
improve tax collection through computerization, provide cheap medicine for the poor and unite the
country.

Until now, she has been arguably the most unpopular president of the Philippines. This is because of her
numerous unanswered issues and controversies like the Hello Garci scandal, expensive dinners during
her visit to the United States, and many more.