Sergio Osmeña

(1944-1946)
Also Known as: "Sergio Suico Osmeña Sr."

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the

Commonwealth. During his presidency, the Philippines joined
the International Monetary Fund. He was the founder of the
Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista) and president of the
Philippines from 1944 to 1946.
In 1903, Osmeña received a law degree from the
University of Santo Tomás, Manila. He was also an editor of a Spanish newspaper, El Nuevo
Día, in Cebu City. In 1904 the U.S. colonial administration appointed him governor of the
province of Cebu and fiscal (district attorney) for the provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental.
Two years later he was elected as governor of Cebu. In 1907 he was elected delegate to the
Philippine National Assembly and founded the Nationalist Party, which came to dominate
Philippine political life.
ACHIEVEMENTS (Highlights)
 Osmeña became president at the age of 65. He was also the first Visayan to become
president. Together with Manuel Roxas, Pres. Sergio Osmeña went on a mission to the
US to ask for the Philippines' independence. The mission was called OSROX, coined
from combining the first letters of their family names. The mission was successful. He
joined with U.S. Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 to begin
restoration of Philippine Freedom after the Japanese occupation. Philippine National
Bank was rehabilitated. During his presidency, Bell Trade Act was approved by the U.S.
Congress. He also appeared on the Philippine’s 50-Peso Bill.
 Osmeña tried to reinstitute the American pattern of education and to get rid of all the
residues of Japanese indoctrination. He proposed the creation of the People's Court to
investigate all Filipinos suspected of disloyalty or treason. He ordered the post office
system reopened and issued a victory currency to stabilize the economy. He hoped that
Philippine independence would be granted on Aug. 13, 1945, but the U.S. Congress and
President Franklin Roosevelt had already fixed the date of independence as July 4,
1946.
 Osmeña's perseverance and quiet style of working did not appeal to Gen. MacArthur or
to Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, both of whom supported Roxas in his bid for the
presidency in the election of April 23, 1945. Roxas won over the weary and self-effacing
Osmeña, who refused to campaign for reelection.
President Sergio Osmena brought many good things to the Philippines. There was one
controversy and one potential scandal, that of who the father of President Osmena
could be. Being an illegitimate child during that era was considered a curse and a great sin.
He was born in Cebu to a 14-year old Chinese Mestiza named Juana Siuco Osmeña. His
 father, on the other hand, is long believed to be Don Pedro
Lee Gotiaoco, a wealthy 19th century immigrant.

Manuel Roxas
(1946-1948)
Manuel Roxas was the fifth president of the
Philippines. He was also the third (last) president under the
commonwealth and the first president of the Republic of the
Philippines. He held the office for only a year, 10 months, and
18 days.
When Manuel Roxas started his term as the first president of the third republic of the
Philippines, the country was paralyzed because World War II just ended. Commerce was
experiencing recession because farms and factories were ruined. Transportation efficiency was
down due to the bombed roads and bridges. Many people were massacred and towns and cities
were burnt down. 80% of the school buildings were ruined which weakened the educational
system. The reconstruction cost of these buildings reached 126 million pesos. Also, there was
an annual deficit of about 200 million pesos. There was a crime rate hike because some
Filipinos patronized the “American gangsters”. The reconstruction of the post-war Philippines fell
into the hands of Manuel Roxas.
Since the country was severely tarnished by the war, the economy was struggling
because of low output growth and high unemployment rates. Production became low because
farms and factories were ruined. Because businesses were closing, there were no more jobs
available for people. Unemployment rates were rising at a fast pace. Education also severely
weakened. The country was devastated by the war, Roxas centralized his promises around the
rehabilitation of the Philippines. He believes that the foundation stone of national rehabilitation
can be achieved by: Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, caring for widows and orphans,
waging war against inflation and unemployment (by increasing higher wages and production).
ACHIEVEMENTS
In 1946, the US congress offered 800 million dollars as rehabilitation money in exchange
for the ratification of the Bell Trade Act. It was passed by the US congress specifying the
condition of the Philippine economy governing the independence of the Philippines from the
Americans. A system of preferential tariffs was implemented which discouraged government
officials to control the country’s import-export market. The Philippine peso followed the US dollar
currency. Aggravating the Filipino citizens, U.S. citizens and corporations were granted equal
access to the natural resources of the country. Many nationalists were not in favor of the bell
trade act because it was “a curtailment of Philippine sovereignty, virtual nullification of Philippine
independence” as said by former president Sergio Osmena.
Although Roxas was successful in his objective to obtain rehabilitation funds from
America to repair what has been destroyed in the Philippines, he was still criticized for his
subjective decisions concerning policies implemented in the country. One criticism in
Roxas’ administration is his camaraderie with the Americans. He was too close to them to the
point that he allowed US military bases in the country (23 were leased for 99 years), permitted
trade restrictions for Filipinos, and gave special privileges for US property owners and investors.
Roxas’ attempts to destroy the HUKBALAHAP created a negative notion to the masses. The
people believed that he was not able to manage the HUKS and failed to halt the movement. The
citizens felt that he surrendered the country’s freedom to the Americans because of the
revisions in the Philippine constitution. The new law gave parity rights to the Americans in
exchange for rehabilitation money to fix the country.

Elpidio Quirino
(1948-1953)
Elpidio Quirino served as vice president under
Manuel Roxas. When Manuel Roxas died, Quirino became
president. Elpidio Quirino is one of the least known among
Philippine presidents as time moves on. Quirino’s presidency
was eventful and positive for the nation. He won a close
election on his own in 1949. His accomplishments do not
match the low reputation that is associated with his
presidency.
ACHIVEMENTS (PROGRAMS)
Poverty was present specifically by the starvation problems of the people in the
Mountain Province. Wages of people cannot compensate with the expenses of th people and
the prices of the products due to inflation. Quirino focused on two main objectives. His first
objective was to fix the economy of his administration Because the Philippines was still
undergoing postwar reconstruction. To achieve this goal, he established PACSA (President’s
Action Committee on Social Amelioration), ACCFA (Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing
Administration), Labor Management Advisory Board, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines.
These were made to alleviate the sufferings of poor families, help the farmers market
their products, advise him on matters concerning labor, and facilitate utilities in rural areas
respectively. His second objective was to restore the faith and confidence of the people in the
government body of the Philippines. To do this, he revived former president Quezon’s “fireside
chats” which updated the people about the government via live radio broadcast from the
Malacanang palace.
One of which is the granting of amnesty to HUKBALAHAP members. Despite the
liberation of the HUKS, terrorism was still soaring. The disparity between the military and the
HUKS was still not settled. Although he tapped the need to increase loan appeal from the
Americans and established controls to protect local industries, he was not able to implement
agrarian reforms. Also, Quezon City became the capital of the Philippines in 1948.
 The major controversy surrounding his governance was his bid for a second term
in office in 1949. Next to the elections in 1969 (wherein Ferdinand Marcos won as president),
the elections wherein Quirino won was believed to be the most corrupt. He was also the first
president to undergo an impeachment trial because he allegedly purchased a very expensive
Golden Orinola using government money.

Ramon Magsaysay
(1953-1957)
Ramon Magsaysay was a military governor and an
engineer. He died in an aircraft disaster while boarding the
presidential lane. There were many laws and programs made
during his presidency.
LAWS AND PROGRAMS
He created the pro-poor so that he can help the poor people, not by money but giving
them free job application. He was largely famous for his success in the peace campaign. He
defeated Quirino in the 1953 presidential elections by an unprecedented margin of votes.
HUKBALAHAP movement quelled during his presidency. He was also the first president to
sworn wearing Barong Tagalog during inauguration. His presidency referred to as “Golden
Years” for its lack of corruption. He established NARRA among other agrarian reforms.
 Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954
LASEDECO was abolished and established the National Resettlement and
Rehabilitation Administration. Its main goal was to resettle landless farmers, and aimed
at the rebels who returned to provide them with lots for home and farming in Palawan
and Mindanao.

 Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954)

The court of Agrarian Relations was established. The leasehold system and
share-tenancy were organized to oversee the relationship between tenants and
landowners.
 Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955)
Land Tenure Administration (LTA) were in charge of the possessing and
distributing tenanted rice and corn lands (200 hectares for individuals and 600 hectares
for corporations).
 Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing
Administration)

Small farmers and tenants lower interests of between six to eight percent with
their loans.
  Reparation Agreement
An agreement between Japan and the Philippines to pay the latter five hundred
fifty million U.S. dollars ($550,000) as payment for the war damages of World War II.
 Bell Trade Act of 1946 into the Laurel-Langley Agreement

It eradicated the authority of the United States to have control over the exchange
rate of the Philippines peso, parity privileges reciprocal, extended the sugar quota. This
agreement retained the economic subservience between the U.S. and the Philippines.

 Agricultural Commodities Agreement with the U.S. (1957)

It perpetuates the colonial pattern of the nation’s economy.

 Anti-subversion Law

Law that limited the citizen’s democratic rights of assembly, free speech, and
belief.

Although the common people benefitted from the land distribution of the government,
and tenants were given more rights, the problems that were solved by the government were just
in the surface rather than the main problem. His programs were designed to benefit the
common people but eventually had its problems in the end. Corruption among cabinet members
and the endless attempts to bribe the president were the most common issues of that time
where corruptions was very rampant among government officials and President Magsaysay was
among the very few who resisted and had zero tolerance
against corruption.

Carlos P. Garcia
(1957-1961)
Carlos P. Garcia was a lawyer, poet, and a teacher,
who also served as a guerilla leader during the pacific war. He
became president when Ramon Magsaysay died in 1957.
The Philippines agreed to numerous conditions set by
the United States as a requirement for the Philippines to receive war reconstruction assistance.
The condition of the Philippines before the administration of Garcia was the Philippines is just
recovering from the after effects of World War 2, with this the Philippines experienced several
economic challenges.
 During that time, the main problem that was facing the Garcia administration was the
current economic situation. Corruption was also prevalent in the country since he had just
inherited the Magsaysay administration. Several cases of corruption were found within the
government offices during his administration. Major programs were established during his time.
LAWS AND PROGRAMS
Filipino First Policy
This is the law that was passed by the Garcia administration, to give local businessmen
more priority over foreign investors. The government sector would help local businessmen are
entering industry that was filled with foreign competitors and give them aid and sometimes
financial assistance. Products of Filipino businessmen were also preferred over foreign
products.
The people that benefitted from this policy are the businessmen of the Philippines, they
had an increase support and protection from the government. This enabled them to help
improve our economy at that time. Foreign investors were not totally ignored they could still
participate in investing in businesses in the country but there should be a 60-40 ratio of
ownership within the business.
Bohlen–Serrano Agreement
The Bohlen-Serrano Agreement was the law that shortened the original 99 year lease of
US bases here in the Philippines to 25 years, the agreement was renewable for periods only up
to 5 years.
Austerity Program
The Austerity Program was implemented by Garcia in order to curt the rampant graft and
corruption within the country. The program centered on wise spending, industry, thrift,
trustworthiness, integrity and honesty. He also urged people to avoid luxury items and to live a
simple life and reminded government officials and employees’ corruption destroys the peoples
trust in the government.
The austerity program benefited the common Filipino and the Garcia administration,
because of the implementation of this program the government was able to regain some of the
trust that they lost due to the rampant corruption in the country. While the Filipinos were able to
once again trust the government.
Republic Cultural Awards
The Garcia administration also put emphasis on cultural revival, due to the colonization
of many countries he felt that the revival of the Filipino culture was needed. The award was
given to Filipino artists, scientist, historians and writers. Filipino artist could now get the
recognition for their works that were left ignored. The main focus of the society at the time was
improving the economy.
Garcia was criticized by foreign countries, especially the United States for his
anti-foreign policies. There was also corruption within the Bureau of Internal Revenue in which
he had the implement the Austerity Program. The focus of the Garcia administration focused on
economic independence from foreign interest. Garcia wanted the Philippines to be an
industrialized, self-sustaining country that would not have to
heavily rely on the products of foreign companies.

Diosdado Macapagal
(1961-1965)
Diosdado Macapagal was as a teacher, orator, poet,
lawyer, political economist, guerrilla leader, and the eighth
President of the Philippines. His daughter, Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo, was the 14th president of the Philippines.
There were many uprisings against the Aquino administration. There was a widespread
of poverty. Graft and corruption spread throughout the country. He continues to undergo the
economic controls that had been in operation since 1948.
He opened Malacanang to the Public; however it didn’t last long because people started
to only loft around. He dismissed Corruption in the government when the official couldn’t justify
his sudden acquisition of wealth. It was during his presidency that Independence Day was
moved from July 4 to June 12, the date when General Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine
independence in Cavite.
LAWS AND PROGRAMS (Highlights)
He asked Congress to pass the Agricultural Land Reform Code, which abolished share
tenancy and installed a leasehold system in its place; it finally passed on August 8, 1963. This
was a significant step toward resolving the agrarian problem.
Established the Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963
Abolished share tendency on rice and corn farmlands and establishment of a leasehold
system where farmers would pay rentals to landlords instead of harvests.
He prevented his government from “tracking down” the sources of corruption by firing the
officers alleged with corruption and deporting Stonehill. This way, he got in the way of one of his
promises. He failed to solve major social and economic problems. Macapagal wasn’t able to
effectively maximize the programs for the people to alleviate poverty.

ISSUES DURING HIS PRESIDENCY:

 Graft and Corruption (Stonehill Scandal)
 Rise in Consumer Goods Prices
 Peace and Order Issues
 Macapagal’s privileged subjects in congress and business paraded their lavish wealth in
conspicuous parties and anomalous deals.
Ferdinand Marcos
(1965-1986)
Ferdinand Marcos was a lawyer and a senate
president for three years. He was president for 21 years. He
ruled under martial law and his dictatorship was known for its
corruption and brutality.
Major Programs/Accomplishments
He declared martial law on September 21, 1972.
Martial Law was declared by Marcos to suppress the
increasing civil discord and the threats of communist conquest. The declaration was initially
granted by some sectors bit it eventually became unpopular to the people and the masses
because of the human rights abuses by the military.
There was a decrease of freedom and democracy during the second term of Ferdinand
Marcos. There was a massive increase in tourism rates Because of the developments
(economically, industrially, and infrastructures) Marcos accomplished.
The Marcoses established good relations with world leaders, therefore bringing the
Philippines’ image to higher grounds. Foreign relations brought foreign investments in and made
the economy boom. During this time, the ratio of the peso to a dollar is 1:1. However, the
economy took a downturn during his second term and the prices of the market increased.
There was an increase in job opportunities but it declined eventually. In relation to this,
huge economic accelerations from OFW remittances were occurring. But declined after the
Aquino’s killing controversy. The inflation rate was high and critics claim it was because of
overspending the 1969 budget.
During his first term Marcos focused on developing infrastructure, the development of
the North Luzon Expressway benefitted the Filipino common man. Marcos also had livelihood
programs for LGU’s to help make their communities more economically developed. The
implementation of Martial Law turned to out to be beneficiary to the Philippines during the first
year of implementation to till the 80’s the countries GNP increased from P55 billion to P193
billion, this however came at the expense of the Filipinos who lost their sense of democracy
during Martial Law.
The downfall of his administration came when Benigno Aquino was assassinated
this fueled even more activist to go into rallies to fight against his administration. In 1986
Marcos held a snap election in order to stop rumors that his government was being overthrown.
Ultimately he was driven out of the country with People Power. After the People Power
revolution in February 1986, he was ousted from power and lived in exile in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Issue like Marcos Ill-gotten wealth, declaration of Martial Law and the assassination of Benigno
Aquino were bombarded on his time. His presidency will never be forgotten on Philippine
history.
Corazon Aquino
(1986-1992)
Corazon Aquino was the first woman president of the
Philippines and the first woman to become a president of. an
Asian country. She was a prominent figure in the People
Power Revolution that brought down Ferdinand Marcos’
dictatorship. Her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., was a senator
during the Marcos regime and its strongest critic. He was
assassinated while Marcos was still in power.
Democracy was restored after the reign of Ferdinand
Marcos and the declaration of the Martial Law. A series of natural disasters hit the country such
as the 1990 earthquake, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, and a series of Typhoons. There have
been many coup d’état attempts and uprisings. Brownouts were very frequent and would last for
about 12 hours.

LAWS AND PROGRAMS

 Restoration of democracy
 Abolished the legislature
 Declared a revolutionary government
 Wrote a new constitution (1987 Constitution)

 Land Reform

 Free secondary schooling

 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.

 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.
  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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES:

Aquino was not spared from the controversies that eventually centered on Hacienda
Luisita, a 6,453-hectare estate located in the Province of Tarlac, which she inherited from her
family. She was scored for allowing Hacienda Luisita, which was now owned by the Tarlac
Development Corporation, to opt for stock distribution, instead of land redistribution. She also
has an issue concerning the farmers of Mendiola being massacred.
Fidel V. Ramos
(1992-1998)
Fidel Ramos was civil engineer. He was the chief-of-staff
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became
president. As president, he restored economic growth and stability
of the country, even during the Asian financial crisis in 1997. He is
the first, and so far the only, non-Catholic president of the
Philippines.

LAWS AND PROGRAMS

 Republic Act 7638 (Charter of the Department of Energy)

This act was signed and implemented so that the department of energy would be
created. This department rationalizes the organization and functions of government agencies
responsible for the management of energy in the Philippines. Being that one of the projects of
Ramos was the proper management, sourcing, and allocation of energy, this act had to be
implemented in order to have a department responsible for it.

 Republic Act 7648 (Electric Power Crisis)

This act prescribes the measures that are necessary and proper to effectively address
the electric power crisis in our country.

 First RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement

The effect of this agreement is that it allows the government of the United States to keep
the authority over their military personnel that are accused of committing crimes in the
Philippines. This agreement exempts the US military personnel from visa and passport
regulations in the Philippines, from being tried in Filipino religious or military courts, materials
exported and imported by the military from duties or taxes. This agreement allows unrestricted
movement of vessels from the United States and aircrafts in the Philippines.

 Republic Act 7832 (Anti-electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage

Act)
This act penalizes theft and pilferage of electric lines and materials
  Republic Act 8179
This act further allows foreign investments. It supports Republic Act 7042, which
promotes foreign investments and prescribes the procedures and actions foreign investors have
to do when registering for a business in the Philippines. Foreign investors benefited from this
Act because the Philippine market was made opened to the world.

 Deregulation and Privatization of Major Industries

 Protection of Migrant Workers

Ramos facilitated the enactment of Republic Act 8042 which is also known as the
Migrant Workers Act. This act protects Filipino workers abroad.

Migrant Workers Act

The first Filipino to benefit from this is Sarah Balabagan. Because of the Flor
Contemplacion case that the government failed to negotiate properly, upon learning the
sentence of Sarah Balabagan, Ramos immediately ordered UAE Ambassador to facilitate
the negotiations. Sarah’s case was lowered and she was released in 1996.

 Philippines 2000
 Peace and Stability
 Economic Growth and Development
 Energy and Power Generation
 Environmental Protection
 Streamlined Bureaucracy
 Agrarian Reform Program
 Restatement of the Death Penalty

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

 PEA-AMARI Scam Manila Bay Reclamation Deal

FVR Was accused of Corruption. This deal involved acquiring 158 hectares of reclaimed land
on Manila Bay and it was supposedly going to be converted to what is called as “Freedom
Islands”. The government was accused of corruption because they were said to favor Amari
Costal Bay Resources and Filinvest Development by selling them a bigger portion for their own
intentions. Ramos was accused that the deal was clinched to benefit the members of Lakas-
NUCD, which was Ramos’ group.

 Centennial Expo and Conversion of Military Base in Fort Bonifacio for Private
Development
The Centennial Expo was supposedly one of his notable contributions to the Philippines and
the people. The government was charged of alleged corruption and the misuse of funds.
The projects relating to the Expo site were said to be extravagant and showed the inefficiency of
the administration. They said it was a convenient vehicle to effect election fund-raising for the
Lakas Political Party of Ramos. The issue there was that there was a budget set for the entire
project. However, not all the projects were completed but the entire budget was spent.

Joseph Estrada
(1998-2001)
Known as “Erap”

Joseph Estrada was the first president who had been a

famous actor. His presidency was controversial. During his
years in office, economic growth was slow and he faced
impeachment proceedings.
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.

LAWS AND PROGRAMS

 Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749)

Designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development of
its natural resources.

 Incentives for Regional Headquarters of Foreign Multinationals (Republic Act No. 8756)
The measure grants a host of incentives to multinational firms establishing their regional hubs in
the country. It also provides a tax- and duty-free operating environment for them, and multiple
entry visas to expatriates and their families, as well as a flat income tax rate of 15%.

 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 10 foreign banks have already established their presence in the
Philippines.

 Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792)

Outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the
Internet-driven New Economy.

 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.

 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 11 percent in January 1999 to just a
little over 3 percent by November of the same year.

 Anti-Crime Task Forces

In 1998, by virtue of Executive Order No.8, President Estrada created the Presidential Anti-
Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) with the objective of minimizing, if not totally
eradicating, car theft and worsening kidnapping cases in the country. With the help of this task
force, the Philippine National Police for the first time in history achieved a record-high trust
rating of +53 percent. Panfilo Lacson was its first head. He also created the Philippine Center
on Transnational Crime (PCTC) in 1999, with the objective of formulating and implementing a
concerted of action of all law enforcement, intelligence and other government agencies for the
prevention and control of transnational crime.

 Death Penalty
The death penalty law in the Philippines was re-enforced during the incumbency of Estrada’s
predecessor, Fidel Ramos. This law provided the use of the electric chair until the gas chamber
(method chosen by government to replace electrocution) could be installed. The Estrada
administration peddled the death penalty as the antidote to crime. The reasoning was that if the
criminals will be afraid to commit crimes if they see that the government is determined to
execute them.

 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
Charter change 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.

 RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement

On 1999 a Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, which was ratified in the Senate.
The first Visiting Forces Agreement was actually signed under President Ramos in 1998, and
the second was subsequently signed under President Estrada. The two agreements came to
effect a year later. The primary effect of the Agreement is to require the U.S. government (1) to
notify RP authorities when it becomes aware of the apprehension, arrest or detention of any RP
personnel visiting the U.S. and (2) 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

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

 War between MILF
 Plunder
 Perjury
 BW Resources
 Impeachment Trial.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID

With Erap’s plunder and perjury case, he did not do anything about it to prove that he is
not doing some illegal acts. He just made a way to erase the thought in people’s minds.
Because his market is the masa and the masa does not care about how their president act as
long as he is doing something to uplift their sufferings, they do not keep in mind what Erap is
doing may it be against the law or not. He just let the government take away his position by the
impeachment trial. Erap’s perjury case was different. The Jose Velardo account was obviously
one case which Estrada together with his supporters.

Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo
(2001-2010)
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the 14th president of the
Philippines. Former President Joseph Estrada left President
Arroyo with a country which needed to recover due to the political
crisis and the economic crisis. Estrada has left Arroyo with a lot
of problems.
When Estrada was forced out of office, there were numerous rallies by Estrada’s
supporters; some resulted into a bloody confrontation between Erap Supporters and the police.
It was a challenge to Arroyo to gain the trust of not only her people but of the trust of the
investors as well. She needed to encourage more investments to improve the economy and to
improve the lives of the Filipino’s. It was Arroyo’s challenge to bring the Filipino’s back to its
feet.
LAWS AND PROGRAMS
 Restoring Political Stability and Building New Politics
 Promote Economic Revival through Social Equity
 Battle of the Budget
 The Anti-Poverty Strategy

o Asset Distribution
o Human Development Service
o Protection from Violence
o More Livelihood Opportunities
DOMESTIC POLICIES

o Charter change
o Human Rights
o Amnesty Proclamation 1377
o Estrada Pardon
President Arroyo granted Former President Estrada pardon based on the recommendation
of the Department of Justice. Estrada was freed from his Tanay rest house on October 6.

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

 Hello “Garci” Controversy (June 2005 – Present)
 Oakwood Mutiny (July 27, 2003)
 Proclamation 1017 (February 24, 2006)
 NBN-ZTE Controversy (April 2007)
 Gloria Arroyo’s Expensive Dinners

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.

Benigno Aguino III

(2010-2016)
Benigno Aquino III was 15th president of the Philippines. He
was the first president who was a bachelor. He is unmarried and has
no children. He joined the House of Representatives and the Senate
before his presidency. He is scion of a famous and influential political
family of four generations.

LAWS AMD PROGRAMS (Highlights)

 The no ‘wang-wang’ policy created by him to check use of blaring sirens was enforced
by the ‘Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’ who seized any such device from
public and private vehicles that were unauthorised to use them. Despite his authority, he
chose not to use it himself and also continued to use his white Toyota Land Cruiser 200
instead of the official presidential vehicle, a black Mercedes Benz S-Guard limousine.
 He set up a truth commission headed by Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to probe on
allegations of corruption against his preceding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In his
first ‘State of the Nation Address’ (SONA) held at Batasang Pambansa, in Quezon City on
July 26, 2010, he declared his objective of adopting K-12 education cycle in the country’s
education system. In order to seek feedback, opinion and grievances from the general
public, he created his own official presidential website on August 16, 2010.

 He executed several orders during his presidential term including creating the ‘Truth
Commission’, abatement of midnight appointments and revocation of ‘Executive Order No.
883’executed during the tenure of President Arroyo. Despite fear of facing excommunication
from the Catholic Church, he backed the ‘Reproductive Health Bill’. He also signed order to
follow October 2, 2010 as the ‘Nationwide Philhealth Registration Day’.

 The Manila crisis occurred on August 23, 2010 when Rolando Mendoza, a discontented
former police officer hijacked a tourist bus in Rizal Park, Manila. A gun battle followed that
resulted in killing of Rolando and eight hostages while injuring others. Later ‘Proclamation
No. 23’ was signed by Aquino instructing all Philippine institutions and embassies to observe
August 25, 2010 as a national day of mourning.

 In September 2010 he visited the US with his delegation. There a contract was signed with
‘Millennium Challenge Corporation’ that fetched his administration a fund of US$434-million
for undertaking various programs including infrastructure development, generation of
revenue and poverty control. He spoke at the 65th ‘United Nations General Assembly’ on
September 24, held at New York City. At the time of the ‘2nd Association of Southeast Asian
Nations’ held in New York City he and the US President Barack Obama had a one to one
talk.

 In October 2010 he visited Vietnam and signed four memorandum of agreement along with
President Nguyễn Minh Triết of Vietnam and delivered his statements at different ASEAN
Summits held at Vietnam.

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

 Manila hostage crisis
 PNoy’s Porsche
 Corona impeachment
 Yolanda aftermath
 Pork Barrel Scam
 DAP controversy
 Mamasapano encounter