Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy

1899 – 1901
1st President of the Republic

One way to remember the first president of the

Philippines First Republic is to look at the five peso coin. Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo's face used to grace the five peso bill (which is
not used anymore). The back of the bill shows him holding the
Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day. He is also known for being
the first president of the Philippines under the First Republic known in Philippine history back
then as the Malolos Republic.

Contributions:

 He led his country to achieve independence after fighting off both the Spanish and the
Americans.
 He also led the Philippine-American war against U.S. resistance to Philippine
independence.
 On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo at last declared Philippine independence.
 Aguinaldo's proclamation put an end to four centuries of Philippine oppression under
Spanish Colonial Rule.
 Signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, creating a truce between the Spanish and Philippine
revolutionaries.

Achievements:

1. He was elected as the First President of the new Republic under the Malolos
Congress.

2. Youngest president, taking office at age 28

3. Longest-lived president, passing away at 94

4. Known as the President of the Revolutionary Government

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Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina
1935-1944
2nd President of the Republic

After 34 years of Insular Government under American

rule, Philippine voters elected Manuel Luis Quezon first
president

of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. He is known as the “Father of

National Language” (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa). He died of tuberculosis in Saranac Lake,

New York.

Contributions:

 created National Council of Education

 implemented the Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933
 initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth
 approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language of the Philippines
 enlarged the composition of the Council of State through Executive Order No. 144
 his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle
 facilitated the entry into the Philippines of Jewish refugees fleeing fascist regimes in
Europe

Achievements:

1. First Senate president elected as President of the Philippines

2. First president elected through a national election

3. First president under the Commonwealth

4. A province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila are named after him

5. Appears on the twenty-peso bill

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José Paciano Laurel García
1943-1945
3rd President of the Philippines

José P. Laurel's presidency is controversial. He was

officially the government's caretaker during the Japanese
occupation of World War II. Criticized as a traitor by some, his
indictment for treason was superseded later by an amnesty
proclamation in 1948.

Contributions:

 since the early 1960s, Laurel considered a legitimate president of the Philippines
 organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas, or Association for
Service to the New Philippines), a provisional government during Japanese occupation

Achievements:

1. Declared Martial Law and war between the Philippines and the U.S./United Kingdom
in 1944

2. With his family, established the Lyceum of the Philippines

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Sergio Osmeña, Sr.
1944-1946
4th President of the Republic

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the

Commonwealth. During his presidency, the Philippines joined
the International Monetary Fund.

Contributions:

 Joined with U.S. Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 to begin
restoration of Philippine freedom after Japanese occupation
 Philippine National Bank was rehabilitated
 the country joined the International Monetary Fund during his presidency
 Bell Trade Act was approved by the U.S. Congress during his presidency

Achievements:

1. Became president at 65, making him the oldest person to hold office

2. First Visayan to become president

3. Appears on the 50-peso bill

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Manuel Roxas
1946-1948
5th President of the Republic

Manuel Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines:

the third (and last) president under the Commonwealth, and the
first president of the Third Republic of the Philippines.
He held office for only one year, 10 months, and 18 days.
He was president in 1946-1948.

Contributions:
 Reconstruction from war damage and life without foreign rule began during his
 presidency
 Under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were
accepted by Congress
 Prepared the groundwork for the advent of a free and independent Philippines,
assisted by the Congress.
 Declared amnesty for those arrested for collaborating with the Japanese during
World War 2, except for those who had committed violent crimes.
 Delineated the main policies of his administration, mainly, closer ties with the United
States, adherence to the newly-created United Nations Organization, reconstruction
of war devastated country, relief for the masses, social justice to the working class,
maintenance of peace and order, preservation of individual rights and liberties of
the citizenry and honesty and efficiency of government office.
 During the Japanese Occupation he refused to cooperate with the Japanese
military forces by faking illness and evading major services. Still, he served in
various other tasks in the interest of the Filipinos.

Achievements:

1. Inaugurated as the first president of the new Republic after World War II
2. Graduated at the University of the Philippines in1913 and topped the bar examinations.
3. Became a provincial governor in the days of the Commonwealth and was later elected
to sit at the House of Representatives.
4. On his first term, he was chosen Speaker of the body.
5. Appears on the 100-peso bill

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Elpidio R. Quirino
1948-1953
6th President of the Republic

Elpidio Quirino served as vice president under Manuel

Roxas. When Roxas died in 1948, Quirino became president. He
was president in 1948-1953.

Contributions:
 Hukbalahap guerrilla movement active during his presidency
 Created Social Security Commission
 Created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption
 To maintain peace and order for the sake of national unity, he granted amnesty to
 the Huk guerrillas on June 21, 1948; but this measure proved futile in solving the
deep-rooted social injustice and exploitation inherent in the country's semifeudal ec
onomy.

Achievements:
1. Graduated from Manila High School in 1911 and also passed the civil service
examination, first-grade.
2. Graduated at the University of the Philippines in 1915.
3. He served as law clerk in the Philippine Commission and then as secretary to Senate
president Manuel Quezon.
4. Graduated at the University of the Philippines in 1915.
5. Won the post of congressional representative from the first district of Ilocos Sur in 1919
6. He was elected to the Senate in 1925
7. Quezon appointed him chairman of the Committee on Accounts and Claims and of the
Committee on Public Instruction and to other important congressional bodies.
8. In 1934, he became secretary of finance.
9. He was also one of the drafters of the constitution approved on May 15, 1935.
10. He was elected president for a four-year term on the Liberal Party ticket, defeating the
Nacionalista candidate.
11. He was six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general
economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States.
12. Quezon City became capital of the Philippines in 1948

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Ramon Magsaysay
1953-1957
7th President of the Republic

Contributions:

 Hukbalahap quelled during his presidency

 Chairman of the Committee of Affairs
 Magsaysay believed that insurgency would continue to
exist as long as the government stays deaf to the calls of the
rural folk. Magsaysay became the voice of the voiceless, and his impressive rural
development programs only proved that he’s sincere in uplifting the lives of the
oppressed. To turn his vision into a reality,
 Magsaysay implemented several projects–all for the benefit of the rural poor. improved
the land tenure system through the Agricultural Tenancy Act in 1954, which gave tenants
the “freedom to choose the system of tenancy under which they would want to work”
 Land Reform Act of 1955, which was passed to enhance landlord-tenant relations.
Public lands were also distributed to qualified settlers.
 Ramon Magsaysay created a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
 He established the Presidential Complaints and Action Committee (PCAC) to make sure
that the complaints of the masses were taken care of.

Achievements:

1. Philippines became Asia’s second cleanest and well-governed country.

2. His tenure is often referred to as the Philippines' Golden Years.
3. Magsaysay’s Presidential Complaints and Action Committee heard nearly 60,000
complaints in a year,and settled more than 30,000 through direct action and a little more
than 25,000 through government agencies.
4. Magsaysay established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA) which granted about sixty-five thousand acres to three thousand poor families
for settlement purposes.
5. He also established the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration
(ACCFA) to make available rural credits of almost ten million dollars.
6. Magsaysay initiated the formation of Liberty Wells Association that managed to raise a
considerable sum for the construction of artesian wells for the development of agrarian
sector.
7. Awarded the Golden Heart Presidential Award posthumously.
8. He received the Order of the White Elephant from Thailand and the Grand Cross of the
Royal Order of Cambodia.

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Carlos P. Garcia
1957-1961
8th President of the Republic

Carlos Garcia, 1957-1961 a lawyer, poet, and teacher,

Carlos P. Garcia also served as a guerrilla leader during the
Pacific War. Born in Bohol, Garcia serviced as vice president under
Ramon Magsaysay and as secretary of Foreign Affairs for four

years. He became president when Magsaysay died in 1957.

Contributions:

 “Filipino First Policy,” which favored Filipino businesses over foreign investors
 Established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce
 Cultural arts was revived during his term

Achievements:

1. known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “Bard from Bohol”
2. the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

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Diosdado Macapagal
1961-1965
9th President of the Republic

Born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal was a

lawyer and professor. His daughter Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
was the 14th, and second female, president of the Philippines.

Contributions:

 Established the first Land Reform Law, allowing for the purchase of private farmland to
be distributed in inexpensive, small lots to the landless
 placed the Philippine peso on the currency exchange market
 declared June 12, 1898 to be Philippines’ Independence Day
 signed the Minimum Wage Law
 created the Philippine Veteran’s Bank

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Ferdinand Marcos
1965-1986
10th President of the Republic

Contributions:
 Marcos moved the country forward in the field of
international economic relations. All these had major
implications on the country’s economic future
 All of the country’s specialty hospitals were also built during his
term and these include the Kidney Center, Philippine Children Center, Philippine Heart
Center and the Lung Center of the Philippines.
 The economic accomplishments of Marcos during his presidency and martial rule were
phenomenal until the economic crisis of 1983 brought the engine of accomplishments to
a halt. The debacle towards the end had many causes and cannot simply be
characterized with simplistic conclusions.
 The economic legacy is organized along four major lines: government reform;
infrastructure investment; social and people‐oriented reform; and finally, economic and
industrial reform.
 In Luzon, major irrigation systems and hydroelectric power plants were built. These were
the Upper Pampanga River Project, the Angat multipurpose power and irrigation project,
and the Magat River Project. These projects firmed up the role of Central Luzon and the
Cagayan Valley in the Green Revolution of the 1970s.
 Increased agricultural activities in the big Visayan islands and in Mindanao and helped
cover a wide area of the rice and food producing region.
 Attention to rural and agricultural reforms was a major thrust of Marcos’s early programs
that was sustained over time.
 As already recounted, his early programs of rice, roads, and school building programs
resulted in tangible accomplishments in rural and agricultural development.
 Tourism was one sector that enjoyed great encouragement and which began
propitiously. Tourism is a major earner of foreign exchange if prproperly developed.
 A hotel building program raised the capacity of the country to offer tourism facilities.
Major facilities to complement the tourism program were set up.
 One of the great achievements of Marcos was to enable the economy to deal with the
energy shock in a way that dependence on petroleum was to be reduced effectively.
 The creation of the Philippine National Oil Company was an immediate reaction which
led to the entry of the government in the oil refinery business.
 He created a Department of Energy that was given the opportunity to prepare
comprehensive sector plans for the response to the energy crisis of the period.
 He declared martial law under the constitution to assume dictatorial powers to tame the
political chaos that was then engulfing the nation.

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  There were major reforms in government organization, in the provision of public
infrastructure, and in social and economic development.

Achievements:
1. Marcos was so smart he single-handedly topped the 1939 Bar Examinations (with near-
perfect score) despite being in jail for 27 days.
2. The country’s gross national product (GNP) dramatically climbed from 39.5 billion pesos
in 1965 to an outstanding 86.7 billion pesos in 1979, which translates to 6.6% growth
rate a year.
3. The level of economic activity rose overall and – in the case of the transport investments
– they increased the efficiency of the economy.
4. A great part of these investments in roads was in the country‐side so that agricultural
output and domestic commerce increased.
5. Marcos built the most expensive infrastructure. The projects were interrelated and
complemented sector development objectives.
6. These networks were essential in bringing down the cost of transportation, thereby
raising the prospects of commerce throughout the affected regions of the country.
7. Major projects dealing with expansion of the irrigation, water services, and power
projects were pursued by entities under the corporate structure.
8. More fiscal autonomy and the programs were subject to a system of accountability.
9. He created the Population Commission. It functioned as an inter‐agency committee of
the government that coordinated programs on family issues.

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Corazon C. Aquino
1986 – 1992
11th President of Republic

The first woman president of the Philippines and Asia at

the same time.

Contributions:

 brought back the song "tie a yellow ribbon" and turned the color yellow as a symbol for
freedom and democracy.
 initiated the abolition of the repressive 1973 Marcos Constitution and brought about the
making of the new Constitution of the Philippines for the FIlipino people
 signatory to Family Code of 1987 and 1191 Local Government Code
 she always initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy
 being compared and cited as a modern-day Joan of Arc by political critics

Achievements:

1. was named Time Magazine's “Woman of the Year” in 1986 after EDSA revolution
(People Power)
2. first female president of the Philippines and Asia simultaneously
3. became popular with the term "filipino people" in her reign as Philippine president
4. her face appears in the latest 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquino
5. one of 100 Women of the world Who Shaped History
6. 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century
7. one of 65 Great Asian Heroes
8. recipient of J. William Fulbright P

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Fidel V. Ramos
1992-1998
12th President of the Republic

Fidel V. Ramos was the chief-of-staff of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines before he became president. He was
also a civil engineer.

Contributions:

 oversaw Philippine economic growth

 presided over celebrations of Philippine Independence Centennial in 1998
 Philippine Stock Exchange became an international favorite during his presidency
 death penalty reinstated while he was in office
 signed peace agreement with the rebel Moro National Liberation Front
 during his reign, the country was cited as Asia’s Next Economic Tiger because he
brought back economic growth.

Achievements:

1. He was also a civil engineer.

2. Was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became
president.
3. He is the first and only non-Catholic (protestant) president of the Philippines.
4. 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)

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Joseph Estrada
1998-2001
13th President of the Republic

Contributions:

 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.

Achievements:
1. 26th Mayor of the City of Manila.
2. Estrada gained popularity as a film actor.
3. Mayor of San Juan from 1969 to 1986.
4. Senator from 1987 to 1992.
5. Vice-President under President Fidel V. Ramos from 1992 to 1998.

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Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
2001-2010
14th President of the Republic

The Oakwood Mutiny occurred during her term.

Arroyo oversaw road and infrastructure improvements and
higher economic growth that presidents before her, but there
was also controversy. The so-called "Hello Garci" controversy
involved recordings that allegedly captured Arroyo ordering the rigging of the election that put
her in office. In 2005 Arroyo faced impeachment proceedings related to the recordings but the
impeachment failed. After she had left office Arroyo faced additional charges of election fraud
and misuse of state funds.

Contributions:
 Oversaw higher economic growth than the past three presidents before her
 Peso became the best-performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007
 eVAT Law was implemented under her term *currently on the 200-peso bill

Achievements:
1. Second female president of the country
2. First and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far
3. First president to take oath outside Luzon
4. Former Economics professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, where current
president Benigno Aquino III was one of her students
5. Ex-classmate of former U.S. President Bill Clinton at Georgetown University’s Walsh
School of Foreign Service, where she maintained Dean’s list status

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Benigno Aquino III
2010-2016
15th President of the Republic

Contributions:
 Aquino contribution to the Philippines' corruption
problem was Senate Bill 2035, which is the Preservation
of Public Infrastructures bill, seeking to raise standards in the
construction of all public infrastructures by penalizing contractors of defective
infrastructures.
 Aquino also pushed for the passage of the Amending the Government Procurement Act
(SB 2160), which applies to all government procurement activities regardless of source
of funds whether local or foreign. Only treaties or international/executive agreements
entered into by the government prior to its enactment shall be exempt from coverage.
 Aquino filed other reform-oriented bills, among which were Philippine National Police
reform.
 He also implemented some reforms to strengthen the agricultural sector and these are
the following: • Fresh Funding for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk Credit. • Easier Access
to Formal Financing Assistance for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk. • Increased Access to
Formal Financing for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk. • Introduction of a Calamity
Assistance Financing Program for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk Borrowers.

Achievements:
1. His first political representation was from the 2nd district of Tarlac province in 1998 as
an elected member of the ‘House of Representatives.
2. He represented the House for the next two terms and was barred in 2007 because of
term restrictions.
3. He served as a Senator of the 14th Congress.
4. He remained the Secretary General and Vice President of the ‘Liberal Party’ for Luzon
and at present serves as Chairman of the party. 5. He was instrumental in filing several
developmental and reformatory Senate bills including the ‘Budget Impoundment and
Control Act’ (SB 3121), ‘Preservation of Public Infrastructures bill’ (SB 2035) and the
‘Philippine National Police’ reform bill.
6. In 2013 he was included in the list of ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ by
‘TIME’.

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Rodrigo Duterte
Current President
16th President of the Republic

Contributions:
 He transformed the city from a haven of lawlessness
into one of the safest areas in Southeast Asia.
 Bloody war on drugs -The Duterte government has lived up to
the President’s promise of a “relentless” anti-drugs campaign. While the campaign has
been modified and reorganized thrice, Duterte’s marching orders have been to arrest
drug suspects and kill them if they “fight back.”
 Tax reform law -The first tax reform law (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or
TRAIN law) was signed in December 2017, Duterte’s 2nd year in office. It’s primarily a
revenue-generating measure to fund the administration’s infrastructure program, health,
education, and social services programs.
 Bangsamoro autonomous region and government -The signing then ratification of the
Bangsamoro Organic Law is a major achievement for both the Mindanaoan President
and Congress.
 Universal health care -Beginning with a campaign promise to give the poorest Filipinos
access to hospitals and medicines, Duterte ended up pushing for and signing the
Universal Health Care law, with the help of Congress.
 Free college education -Although it was never a campaign promise, Duterte pushed for
the enactment of the free tertiary education law, against the advice of his economic
managers.
 Cutting red tape -Duterte’s simple promise to reduce processing of government permits
to 3 days has branched into various presidential actions meant to cut red tape.
 Aggressive infrastructure plan -Promising to build “legacy” railways during his term,
Duterte has thrown his support for his economic managers’ Build, Build, Build program.
The government secured a loan from Japan and the Asian Development Bank for the
North-South Railway.

Achievements:
1. In 1977 he joined the Davao City prosecutor’s office, where he remained until he was
appointed (1986) vice mayor of that city.
2. Duterte was elected mayor in 1988, and he was reelected to that post twice over the
subsequent decade.

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MEMBERS:

AMANA

BAET

CREMAN

GENTERONE

MADES

PONGAUTAN

QUIROGA

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