End of the Philippine Revolution

 
Aguinaldo is Captured

Gen. Funston plotted the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. On the night of March 6, 1901,
He boarded the American warship Vicksburg and docked at Casiguran Bay on March 14.
From Palanan Funston group reached Aguinaldo’s headquarters in Palanan on March 23,
1901. The Macabebe Scouts pretended to have been sent by Lacuna, with the American
officials as their prisoners. Thus Aguinaldo have no idea of his impending capture until Tal
Placido of the Macabebe Scouts embraced him. The Americans then declared the arrest of
Aguinaldo and his men in the name of the United States government. Aguinaldo was
brought to Manila and presented to then military Governor-General Arthur MacArthur,
Jr. (father of General Douglas MacArthur) at Malacanang Palace. On April 19, 1901 he finally
pledged allegiance to the United States.

The Philippine Revolution Ends

The first to yield to the Americans was by General Simion Ola. He surrendered to Colonel
Harry Bandoltz in Guinobatan Albay on September 25.1903. Other revolutionaries soon
followed.

Military Government

General Wesley Merritt was the highest-ranking American official in the Philippines after

Spaniards surrendered Manila on August 13, 1898. He established a military government
and became the first American Military governor of the Philippines. The objectives of the
Military government are: 1) to establish peace and order to the Philippines, and 2) to
prepare Philippines for civil governance. The government in the Philippines can be classified
into opposition and collaboration. The Americans used propaganda and other means to win
the Filipinos to their side.

The Schurman Commission

The first commission was chaired by Dr. Jacob G. Schurman, president of Cornell University.
Thus it became known as the Schurman Commission. Their group arrived on the Philippines
on February 4, 1899. The commission proposed the following:

1. Establish civil governments in areas were peace and order had been restored
2. Set up a bicameral legislature with members of the lower house to be all elective
3. Appoint American and Filipino member of the Upper house to head the cabinet
4. Preserve Philippine natural resources
5. Create a civil service system
6. Assign highly qualified Filipinos to important government positions

The US Congress adopted all the recommendation of the Schurman commission.

The Taft Commission
 
On March 16, 1900, United States President William McKinley appointed the then
Judge William Howard Taft to head the second Philippine Commission, which would also be
known as the Taft Commission. Taft would become Governor-General of the Philippines and
later, the president of the U.S.
 
McKinley wanted to hasten the transition of the Philippine military government into a civil
one. The Taft Commissions was given executive and legislative powers it could use to
achieve the President’s objective.
 
The Commission arrives in the Philippines on June 3, 1900. It began legislative work on
September 1, the first law it passed set aside P2 million for the construction of treads and
bridges. From September 1900 to August 1902, the Commission was able to enact 440
pieces of legislation for the Philippines. Some of these laws included the Municipal and
Provincial codes, which established municipal and provincial governments all over the
country, and laws organizing the Philippine Constabulary and the countries judicial system.
Aside from enacting laws the commissions also visited various provinces and help it in the
government peace efforts.
 
The Spooner Amendment
 
The modification sponsored by Senator John C. Spooner, allowed the US president to fully
administer the Philippines. Thus, the military government of the Philippines was replaced
with a civil one albeit temporary pending the legislation of permanent colonial government
by the United States.
 
Civil Government under Taft
 
The Philippine civil government was inaugurated on July 4, 1901, with William Howard Taft
as its first governor, the powers and duties of a governor were passed on to Taft. The Taft
Commission continuing functioning as legislative body. Cayetano Arellano was the first
Filipino to hold a high position of government he was named Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court on May 28, 1899. Gregorio Araneta was appointed as Secretary of Justice and
finance. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda, and Jose Luzuriaga were selected as
members of the Philippine Commissions.
 The Philippine Commonwealth Era
 
The Commonwealth era is the 10 year transitional period in Philippine history from 1935 to
1945 in preparation for independence from the United States as provided for under the
Philippine Independence Act or more popularly known as the Tydings-McDuffie Law. The
Commonwealth era was interrupted when the Japanese occupied the Philippines in January
2, 1942. The Commonwealth government, lead by Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio S.
Osmeña went into exile in the U.S., Quezon died of tuberculosis while in exile and Osmeña
took over as president. At the same time, the Japanese forces installed a puppet
government in Manila headed by Jose P. Laurel as president. This government is known as
the Second Philippine Republic. On October 20, 1944, the Allied forces led by Gen. Douglas
MacArthur landed on the island of Leyte to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese. Japan
formally surrendered in September 2, 1945.
 
After liberation, the Commonwealth government was restored. Congress convened in its
first regular session on July 9, 1945. It was the first time the people’s representatives have
assembled since their election on November 11, 1941. Manuel Roxas was elected Senate
President, and Elpidio Quirino was chosen President Pro Tempore. Jose Zulueta was speaker
of the house, while Prospero Sanidad became speaker pro Tempore. The first law of this
congress, enacted as commonwealth act 672, organized the central bank of the Philippines.
The commonwealth deal also tackled the issue of collaboration. In September 1945 the
counter intelligence corps presented the people who were accused of having collaborated
with, or given aid to, the Japanese. Included were prominent Filipinos who had been active
in the puppet government that the Japanese had been established. ”A Peoples Court" was
created to investigate and decide on the issue.

Amidst this sad state of affairs, the third commonwealth elections were held on April 23,
1946. Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas vied for the Presidency. Roxas won thus becoming
the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth. The Commonwealth era formally ended
when the United States granted independence to the Philippines, as scheduled on July 4,
1946.
 
Important legislations and events during the American period that made the Philippines a
commonwealth of the United States:
 
The Philippine Bill of 1902 - Cooper Act
 
United States Congressman Henry Allen Cooper sponsored the Philippine Bill of 1902, also
known as the Cooper Act. The bill proposed the creation and administration of a civil
government in the Philippines. President Theodore Roosevelt signed it into law in July 2,
1902.
 
Here are some of the more important provisions of the Cooper Act:
 
▪ Ratification of all changes introduced in the Philippine government by the president of the
U.S., such as the establishment of the Philippine Commission, the office of the civil governor
and the Supreme court
▪ Extension of the American Bill of Rights to the Filipinos except the right of trial by jury
▪ Creation of bicameral legislative body, with the Philippine Commission as the upper house
and a still-to-be-elected Philippine Assembly as the Lower House
▪ Retention of the executive powers of the civil governor, who was also president of the
Philippine Commission
▪ Designation of the Philippine Commission as the legislating authority for non-Christian
tribes
▪ Retention of the Judicial powers of the Supreme court and other lower courts
▪ Appointment of two Filipino resident commissioners who would represent the Philippines in
the US Congress but would not enjoy voting rights
▪ Conservation of Philippine natural resources
 
The bill contained 3 provisions that had to be fulfilled first before the Philippine Assembly
could be establishing these were the:
 
▪ Complete restoration of peace and order in the Philippines
▪ Accomplishment of a Nationwide census
▪ Two years of peace and order after the publication of the census
 
The Philippine Assembly
 
The assembly was inaugurated on October 16, 1907 at the Manila Grand Opera House, with
US secretary of War William Howard Taft as guest of honor. Sergio Osmeña was elected
Speaker while Manuel Quezon was elected Majority Floor leader. The Recognition of the
Philippine Assembly paved the way for the establishment of the bicameral Philippine
Legislature. The Assembly functioned as the lower House, while the Philippine Commission
served as the upper house.
 
Resident Commissioners
 
Benito Legarda and Pablo Ocampo were the first commissioners. Other Filipinos who
occupied this position included Manuel Quezon, Jaime de Veyra, Teodoro Yangco, Isaro
Gabaldon, and Camilo Osias.
 
The Jones Law
 
To further train the Filipinos in the art of government, the U.S. Congress enacted the Jones
Law on August 29, 1916. It was the first official document that clearly promised the
Philippine independence, as stated in its preamble, as soon as a stable government was
established. The Jones Law or the Philippine Autonomy act, Replace the Philippine bill of
1902 as the framework of the Philippine government. It provide for the creation of the
executive powers. The vice governor general, assisted by his Cabinet, would exercise
executive powers. The vice governor would act concurrently as the Secretary of Education.
 
Creation of the Council of State
 
Upon the recommendation of Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña, Governor General
Francis Burton Harrison issued an executive order on October 16, 1981, creating the first
Council of State in the Philippines. It was the Council’s duty to advise the governor general
on matters such as the creation of policies for administering government offices.
 
The Council held meetings once a week and whenever the governor general called for one.
It was composed of the governor general, the department secretaries, the speaker of the
Lower House, and the Senate president. During Harrison’s term, the executive and
legislative branches of government worked harmoniously with each other.
 
The Os-Rox Mission
 
One delegation, however, that met with partial success was the Os-Rox Mission, so called
because it was headed by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas. The Os-Rox group went to the
United States in 1931 and was able to influence the U.S. Congress to pass a pro-
independence bill by Representative Butter Hare, Senator Henry Hawes, and Senator Bronso
Cutting. The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law provided for a 10-year transition period before
the United States would recognize Philippine independence. U.S. President Herbert
Hoover did not sign the bill; but both Houses of Congress ratified it. When the Os-Rox
Mission presented the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law to the Philippine Legislature, it was rejected
by a the American High Commissioner representing the US president in the country and the
Philippine Senate, specifically the provision that gave the U.S. president the right to
maintain land and other properties reserved for military use. Manuel Quezon was tasked to
head another independence mission to the united States.
 
The Tydings-McDuffie Law

In December 1933, Manuel L. Quezon returned to the Philippines from the United States
with a slightly amended version of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting bill authored by Senator Milliard
Tydings and representative McDuffie. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the new U.S.
president, signed it into law on March 24, 1934. The Tydings-McDuffie Act (officially the
Philippine Independence Act of the United States Congress; Public Law 73-127) or more
popularly known as the The Tydings-McDuffie Law provided for the establishment of the
Commonwealth government for a period of ten years preparatory to the granting of
Independence.
 Japanese Occupation of the Philippines
During Word War II

Note: Please refer to the report of your classmate on this era. They have a better
presentation of events.
 
On December 8, 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines. Clark Air Base in Pampanga was first
attacked and also Nichols Field outside Manila was attacked, then on December 22, The
Japanese forces landed at the Lingayen Gulf and continued on to Manila. General Douglas
MacArthur declared Manila an open city on the advice of commonwealth President Manuel L.
Quezon to avoid its destruction. Manila was occupied by the Japanese on January 2, 1942.
MacArthur retreated with his troops to Bataan while the commonwealth government
withdrew to Corregidor island before proceeding to the United States. The joint American
and Filipino soldiers in Bataan finally surrendered on April 9, 1942. MacArthur escaped to
Corregidor then proceeded to Australia. The 76,000 captured soldiers were forced to embark
on the infamous "Death March" to a prison camp more than 100 kilometers north. An
estimated 10,000 prisoners died due to thirst, hunger and exhaustion.
 
The Huks

In the midst of fear and chaos, some farmers of Pampanga banded together and created
local brigades for their protection. Luis Taruc, Juan Feleo, Castro Alejandrino, and other
leaders of organized farmers held a meeting in February 1942 in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. In
that meeting, they agreed to fight the Japanese as a unified guerrilla army. Another
meeting was held the following month, where in representatives from Tarlac, Pampanga and
Nueva Ecija threshed out various details regarding their organization, which they agreed to
call "Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon" or HUKBALAHAP. Taruc was chosen to be the
Leader of the group, with Alejandrino as his right hand man. The members were simply
known as Huks!
 
The Philippine Executive Commission
 
In accordance the instructions of President Manuel Quezon to Jorge Vargas, the Filipino
officials in Manila were told to enter into agreements and compromises with the Japanese to
mitigate the sufferings of the people under the iron-clad rule of the Japanese. On January
23, 1942 the Philippine Executive Commission was established, with Vargas as chairman.
the following was appointed as department heads: Benigno Aquino, Sr., interior; Antonio de
las Alas, finance; Jose P. Laurel, justice; Claro M. Recto, education, health, and public
welfare; and Quintin Paredes, public works and communication; Jose Yulo was named Chief
Justice of the Supreme court.
 
The following month, an election was held for members of The Preparatory Commission for
Philippine Independence (PCPI). The purpose of PCPI is to draw up a constitution for a free
Philippines. Jose Laurel became its head. Against the will of the PCPI delegates the new
Constitution was finalized on July 10, 1943. Two months later it was ratified by
the KALIBAPI, which was the only political party allowed to exist at that time. KALIBAPI is
the acronym for "Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas".
The new constitution, which noticeably lacked a bill of rights contained 12 articles lifted from
the 1935 constitution that fitted the wishes of the Japanese. It was meant to be in effect
only temporarily, while the Philippines still in chaos. After the war, a new constitution would
again be drafted for the new Philippine Republic.

The Second Republic

 
On September 20 1943, the KALIBAPI- under the leadership of its director general, Benigno
Aquino Sr. held a party convention to elect 54 members of the National Assembly. The
Assembly was actually made up of 108 members; but half of this number was composed of
incumbent governors and city mayors. Jose P. Laurel was elected as president of the second
republic (the first republic was Aguinldo's Malolos Republic) and both Benigno Aquino Sr. &
Ramon Avancena as a vice-presidents. The new republic was inaugurated on October 14
1943 on the front steps of the legislative building in Manila. The Philippine flag was hoisted
as the national anthem was played. Meanwhile, the Japanese started using propaganda to
gain the trust and confidence of Filipinos who refused to cooperate with them. They hung
giant posters and distribute their materials that contains such slogans as "the Philippines
belong to the Filipinos." they also used newspapers, movies, and others to publicize the
same idea. Promoting Japanese propaganda was one of the main objectives of
the KALIBAPI, but still Japanese failed to gain the trust of the Filipinos.
 
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Returns
 
From Australia, Allied forces slowly advanced toward the Philippines, bombing several
Japanese strongholds until they regained control of areas previously occupied by the enemy.
The bombings began on September 21 1944, and barely a month later, on October 20,
1944, the Americans landed triumphantly in Leyte. Once a shore, General Douglas
MacArthur said; "I have Returned."
 
Sergio Osmeña was Part of MacArthur’s group. He had taken over Manuel L. Quezon as
president after the latter past way at Saranac Lake, New York on August 1944. From
October 23 to October 26, 1944 the Americans engaged Japanese forces in the Battle of
Leyte Gulf. Consider as the biggest naval battle in World History, this historic encounter
almost destroyed the entire Japanese fleet and rendered in incapable of further attack. The
US victory in the battle of Leyte Gulf is said to have signaled the beginning of Philippine
liberation from the Japanese.
 
By mid-December, the American soldiers had reached Mindoro. The Japanese, meanwhile,
secured other area where their thought other American units would land. Nevertheless, US
liberation forces successfully docked at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945. The news
alarmed the Japanese. Lt. Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, supreme commander of the Japanese
troops in Manila, mobilize his kamikazes (Japanese suicide pilots); but they failed to stop
Americans. The Japanese also deployed MAKAPILI units to defend Manila but neither
succeeds.
 
On December 8, 1944, President Laurel and his cabinet moved to Baguio upon orders of
Yamashita, who is also known as the tiger of Malaya. The Japanese forces retreated to
Yamashita line a jungle battlefront stretching along the Sierra Madre Mountains from
Antipolo, Rizal to Appari Cagayan.
 
The Japanese in Manila would not give up easily. In fact, it took 3 weeks of intense fighting
before they finally surrendered on February 23. Gen. MacArthur continued to liberate other
parts of the country. And finally proclaim general freedom from the Japanese on July 4,
1945.

Philippine Independence from the Americans

 
Freedom is among the rights that Filipinos did not enjoy during the Spanish rule. It was a
struggle for the Philippine revolutionary leaders to achieve independence from foreign
power. The Filipinos fought countless battles, resulting to bloody revolutions since the 19th
century under the Spanish government.

The Filipino forces were persistent to achieve independence for the country. In 1896, the
Philippine Revolution started, which incriminated Jose Rizal resulting to his execution on
allegations of treason and rouse the Katipunan in Cavite to organize in two groups creating
conflict. At the break of the Spanish-American war, the Filipino leaders saw the war between
Spain and America as an opportunity to free the Philippines from the claws of the Spanish
colony; hence, supported the United States with military forces including indispensable
intelligence. America summoned Aguinaldo to return to the Philippines from exile and with
confidence towards the pleasant US relations, Aguinaldo anticipated independence from
Spain with the help of America. Returning to the Philippines and leading the Filipino troops
to hold the fort of Luzon with success except for Intramuros, Aguinaldo declared the
Philippine Independence from the Spanish colonial government on June 12, 1898 under the
First Philippine Republic.

The Philippine National flag was held up, and swayed proudly before the joyous cries of the
Filipinos by 4:20 in the afternoon at General Aguinaldo’s balcony of his mansion in Kawit,
Cavite. Albeit, the fact that Spain lost the battle to the Filipino troops, Admiral George
Dewey schemed to convince the Spaniards to surrender to America. It was an act of
betrayal by America that no sooner short-lived the celebration of Philippine independence
when America annexed the Spanish colonies to include the Philippines. The Filipino forces
were determined to continue their efforts against imperialist power leading to a bloody fight
against the American Army in February 1899 when America refused to grant Philippines the
long-sought Independence.

The Philippine-American War erupted in February 4, 1899 in the struggle of the Filipinos for

freedom conflicting with the interests of America to become a world power by establishing
overseas empire to include the Philippines under the US imperial rule.

The Filipino forces applied conventional, then guerrilla tactics in fighting against the US
army as they become fully aware, under the leadership of General Emilio Aguinaldo, of the
strength of the US military heavily equipped with superior firearms. Although, General
Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, the insurgencies, particularly by the Muslim Moros in the
Southern part of the Philippines continued. Nonetheless, America was preparing Philippines
for independence that started with the creation of civil government.

The US President Woodrow Wilson promised Philippine Independence and started to entrust

authority over Filipino leaders with the establishment of the Philippine Senate by a
democratic election.
The Philippine Commonwealth, with elected President Manuel L. Quezon, was instituted in
1935 under the Tydings-McDuffie Act that granted Philippines its self-government, although
the legislative power was not absolute, which still required approval from the US President.
At that time, it was a good start towards the eventual Philippine Independence.

When the events were gearing towards Philippine independence as promised by the United
States of America, the Japanese invasion and occupation bolstered in a surprise. Bataan
was surrendered to the Japanese but President Quezon along with Osmeña fled to
America. World War II broke out that created immense damage to Filipinos with roughly
about one million casualties.

After the war, Manuel Roxas was elected President in April 1946 for the independent Second
Republic of the Philippines. In a formal declaration, the American flag was lowered in
Luneta, Manila and raised the Filipino National flag in tri-color of red, white, and blue looked
up by proud Filipinos. Finally, independence was granted to the Republic of the Philippines
dated July 4, 1946. The National anthem of the Philippines was played next to America’s. It
was indeed a moment of liberating glory, for all Filipinos after pools of blood were shed in
many revolutions.

July 4, however, holds less inspiration for the Filipinos according to the elected President of
the Republic of the Philippines in 1961, Diosdado Macapagal. Macapagal believes that the
June 12, 1896 declaration of the Philippine independence by General Emilio
Aguinaldo brings to memory the heroes of the revolution and therefore, Philippine
independence is best commemorated in honor of the Filipino revolutionary heroes. Hence,
President Macapagal changed the date of celebration of the Philippine independence from
July 4 to June 12, which the Filipinos celebrate each year up to this time.
 Fifth Republic (1986–Present Time)

The world’s eye was on the Philippines after it successfully toppled down almost a decade of
dictatorship rule through a peaceful demonstration tagged as the EDSA People’s Power
Revolution. After the widowed wife of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was
elected into office, President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino faced both economic and political
problems of the country. Her rule as president began on February 25, 1986 after taking
oath at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila. She was the 11th president of the
Philippines and the first woman to become president of the country. She was tasked to put
together a nation devastated by the rule of her predecessor Ferdinand E. Marcos. It was not
an easy task since the country’s economic condition was in its worse state since 1982.
Filipinos living below the poverty line is alarmingly increasing in number. Aquino also
struggled with Marcos’ supporters in the Armed Forces of the Philippines who attempted to
remove her from power. The group of soldiers, who called themselves members of the
‘Reform the Armed Forces Movement’ or RAM, staged seven coup attempts against the
Aquino administration. The attack held in August 28, 1987, which killed at least 53 people
and injured more than 200 others, was the most serious attack the government
experienced. These attacks worsened the economic condition of the Philippines as investors
became wary about Aquino’s ability to rebuild the country. The International Monetary
Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the United States also forced the government to fulfill its
obligations to pay an estimated $27.2 billion worth of debt Aquino inherited from the
previous administration. To be eligible for IMF’s rehabilitation programs, Aquino instigated
reforms towards a freer economy. These reforms ended monopolization of the agricultural
industry of the country, reduced tariffs and lifted import controls in the Philippines.

The political condition of the country at that time did not look any better. To resolve the
issue, Aquino commissioned a referendum that would be the framework for the new
government. It tackled various issues from shifting the government from presidential to
parliamentary, to economic reforms involving foreign participations. Due to its immediate
necessity, details of the referendum were left to the legislature to determine. Released in
February 1987, the new charter easily won the approval of the public.

The rule that followed Aquino’s presidency established steadier governance of the
Philippines. Fidel V. Ramos took office in 1992 and immediately worked on the country’s
recovery. Ramos initiated the Social Reform Agenda or SRA that was geared towards
alleviating poverty. The Gross National Product reached an average of 5 percent annually,
which translated to a growth in the average family income of the Filipinos. He undertook the
implementation of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law which improved public infrastructure
and deregulated several industries to help liberalize the economy. The country also saw
improvements in its relations to secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MNLF as
Ramos achieved a peace agreement with the group. Ramos bagged the first UNESCO Peace
Award yet given to an Asian for this effort. He also came to be known as the ‘Centennial’
President for his successful supervision of the 100th anniversary of the country’s
independence from the Spanish rule celebrated in June 12, 1998.
A film actor, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, succeeded Ramos as president in 1998. He was the
previous mayor in the municipality of San Juan, Metro Manila and vice president of Ramos,
Estrada was placed into office by a wide margin of vote. He gained support in the election
for his promise to begin a pro-poor administration that his predecessors failed to promote in
their respective platforms. This support dwindled down as his administration was rattled by
corruption. Critics accused him of failing to live up to his promises due to the resurfacing of
cronyism in the government. Efforts made by Ramos to resolve political conflicts in
Mindanao were also threatened as Estrada launched an all-out war against the Islamic
group in Mindanao called the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March 21, 2000. In the same
year, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson accused Estrada of receiving Php 400
million from him as payoff from illegal gambling profits. The revelation led to Estrada’s
impeachment in November 12, 2000 and his ouster from presidency in January 20, 2001.
Then Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. swore-in vice-president, Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as president the same day.

The Philippine Constitution allows the president to ran for a second term if he/she was
sworn into office by succession and served in less than 4 years, otherwise the president is
limited to one term of office. Arroyo was qualified to ran for another term. Indeed, she did.
In the 2004 Philippine General Election, Arroyo declared her presidential candidacy and she
was seated into office for the second time. Arroyo promoted a “Stronger Republic” under
her rule, which was geared toward vigorous economic reforms. However, her administration
was bombarded with several controversies and impeachment attempts in the last five years.
Hence, as she announced her disinterest to extend her term or run for office in the 2010
elections, critics expressed their apprehensions. Once, Arroyo had broken the people’s trust
when she declared that she was not interested to run in the 2004 elections. Protesters
express their disappointment every so often rallying at the streets calling against the
Charter Change (Cha-Cha) and now the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), which is currently
promoted by the Arroyo’s supporters in Congress when the Cha-Cha attempt has become
improbable receiving critical disapproval. The representatives in the lower house
of Congress were said to have made the move independently to pass the Con-Ass however,
many are skeptic of the true agenda of the Arroyo administration as the 2010 election
countdown nears. Supporters of Arroyo are pushing for a change of government from a
Presidential to a Parliamentary form. This will enable Arroyo run for parliament and become
prime minister.
 
On the May 10, 2010 general elections, Arroyo run and won for congresswoman for the 2nd
district of Pampanga province. Making her the first president to hold a lower office after
occupying the highest office of the land. On her first day as congresswoman, Arroyo filed a
resolution calling for Congress to hold a Constitutional Convention to amend the
constitution.
 
On June 30, 2010, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, a.k.a Noynoy and PNoy, was
proclaimed as the 15th president of the republic together with Jejomar Cabauatan Binay as
vice-president. Aquino is the eldest son of former president Corazon Aquino and the
assassinated former senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. Aquino's 6-year term is marked by both
positive and negative events. He has been criticized with his government's slow response to
aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan, the Mamasapano massacre and other crisis. In spite of these
criticisms, Aquino left the presidency with a with a stable democracy, higher credit rating,
surplus government funds and a Central Bank abundant in foreign reserves. And unlike his
predecessor, he was never directly accused of corruption. In contrast, former Vice-President
Jejomar Binay, who run and lost the 2016 presidential elections, is implicated in several
anomalous government contracts.
 
At 12 noon, June 30, 2016, Rodrigo "Digong" Roa Duterte (a.k.a. Rody) takes oath as the
16th president of the Philippines at Malacanang Palace in Manila. Duterte is a lawyer and
politician, he is the former mayor and former 1st district congressman of Davao City in
Mindanao -an island in the southern Philippines where Muslim insurgents are based. He is
the first president to come from Mindanao. He is clamoring for a change in the constitution
from a presidential to a federal form of government. Duterte won the presidential elections
as an outspoken, strong-willed crime fighter with an anti-establishment stance. He is
however criticized for his alleged support of vigilante groups involved in extra-judicial
killings to fight crime.
 
Former congresswoman Maria Leonor "Leni" Santo Tomas Gerona-Robredo, who won the
vice-presidential elections took oath on the same day (June 30, 2016) as Duterte but not at
Malacanang Palace, but at a rented property in Quezon City, Metro Manila. It is beacuse of
Duterte's preference to have a separate oath taking. Robredo and Duterte are non-aligned.
Robredo belongs to the Liberal party while Duterte belongs to PDP-Laban party. Robredo
has declared her support and willingness to work with Duterte's government from the time
of her proclamation as winner of the VP race. Duterte however is sympathetic to defeated
vice-presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., the son of former dictator
Ferdinand Marcos.
 
 
On May 9, 2022 elections, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. run for President together with
Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of President Duterte as vice-president.
Marcos Jr., & Sara Duterte won by a large margin. Incumbent vice-president Leonor "Leni"
Robredo, who ran for president against Marcos, Jr. lost in the hotly contested race. So did
Robredo's running mate senator Francis Pangilinan as vice-president. Marcos, Jr. and Sara
Duterte was sworn-in as president & vice-president on June 30, 2022.