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CHAPTER 15
Philippine History: A Review on the
Continuous Tribulations and Triumphs
The Fifth Republic
GROUP D’ UNTITLED
BSPharmcay 3A Devilleres, Diana Faye C.

Devilleres, Diana Faye Pascual, Christine Joy

Lim, Jay Anne Celina Ravelo, Chrisha Mae
Litob, Mary Angelica Salaver, Pamela Jerene

Restoration of Democracy Restoration of Democracy

Maria Corazon Cory Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
First Female President of the
Philippines and Asia
Ma ia Co azo Co y Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino
• Born into a wealthy, politically prominent family
based in Tarlac
• Graduated from the Mt. St. Vincent College in
New York City in 1954
• Abandoned further studied in 1955 to marry
Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr

Restoration of Democracy Restoration of Democracy

Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr Assassination of
• Prominent opposition politician Benigno “i eo Ninoy A ui o
• Jailed by Marcos for eight years (1972-1980)
– Cory accompanied him into exile in the United
States in 1980
• Assassinated upon his return to
the Philippines in August 1983

Opposition to the Marcos government

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Restoration of Democracy
Ferdinand E. Marcos
Marcos unexpectedly called for presidential
elections in February 1986. Cory Aquino became
the u ified oppositio ’s p eside tial ca didate.
Restoration of Democracy
On February 25, 1986, both Aquino and
Marcos were inaugurated as president by their
respective supporters, but that same day
Marcos fled the country.
Restoration of Democracy
Aquino held elections to the new Congress
and broke up the monopolies held by Ma cos’
allies over the economy, which experienced
steady growth for several years.
But she failed to undertake fundamental
economic or social reforms, and her popularity
steadily declined as she faced continual outcries
over economic injustice and political corruption.
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Restoration of Democracy
Aquino was officially reported to have lost
the election against Marcos but Aquino and her
supporters challenged the results, charging
widespread voting as fraud.
High officials in the Philippine military
soon publicly renounced Ma cos’ continued rule
and proclaimed Aquino the Philippi es’ rightful
president.
Restoration of Democracy
In March 1986, Aquino proclaimed a
provisional constitution and soon thereafter
appointed a commission to write a new
constitution.
The resulting document, which restored
the bicameral Congress abolished by Marcos in
1973, was ratified by a landslide popular vote in
February 1987.
Restoration of Democracy
These problems were exacerbated by
persistent warfare between the communist
insurgency and a military whose loyalties to
Aquino were uncertain.
In general, her economic policies were
criticized for being mixed or faltering in the face
of mass poverty. Aquino was succeeded in office
by her former defense secretary, Fidel Ramos.
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Restoration of Democracy Restoration of Democracy

PROBLEMS OF THE AQUINO PROBLEMS OF THE AQUINO
• POLITICAL STABILITY • Tragedy when the MV Dona Paz collided with
– They reformed the Armed Forces Movement an oil tanker and sunk.
– Soldiers of the Filipino people-Young Officers – Wo ld’s o st peaceti e a iti e t agedy
Union (SFP-YOU) was organized by progressive
military in the Armed Forces Movement
– Col. Gringo Honasan helped the Aquino
Administration to gain power stage coup but failed
on August 1987. Tried again but still failed.

Restoration of Democracy Restoration of Democracy

PROBLEMS OF THE AQUINO
• National Disasters
– July 1990, an intensity 7.8 earthquake shook Central
Luzon, seriously damaging Baguio, Cabanatuan and
Dagupan resulting in many deaths
– June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted after 600 years of
inactivity.
• Thousands of families of Central Luzon evacuated
• Agricultural lands, especially in Pampanga, were buried
under tons of lahar and mudflows
HIGHLIGHTS OF AQUINO ADMINISTRATION
1. Restoration of Democracy and Freedom in
Philippines
2. Agrarian Reform Program – The
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law
3. The Amendments of the 1973 Constitution to
1987 Constitution
4. Infrastructure Development (like roads and
so called Skyway)

Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution

The Philippines TODAY The Philippines TODAY

The Republic of the Philippines is a • President

constitutional democracy with a bicameral – Head of the state
legislature consisting of a 250-member House of – Can be elected to only one six-year term
Representative and a 24-member senate • Current Population (according to the book)
 94 million

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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution

The Philippines TODAY The Philippines TODAY

• There are more than 60 ethnic and • Only Christian country in Asia
indigenous minorities • Most Filipinos are predominantly Catholic,
• Eighty dialects are spoken some are Muslims and indigenous people
• Two national languages – Filipino and English • Only 2,000 of the 7,107 islands are inhabited

Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution

The Philippines TODAY Economy

The Philippine economy roared back in

• Few Major Problems 2010 with 7.3% growth after averting a
 Potable Water contraction in 2009, when half of Southeast
 Corruption Asian economies dipped. Growth was supported
 Health Services by robust industrial growth at 12% and 7%
 Infrastructures (such as roads) service growth while agriculture contracted 1%.

Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution

Economy Economy

The Philippines were relatively untouched However, trade is a relatively small

by the initial financial crisis but has felt the component of overall GDP because of low value-
impact of the resulting economic downturn. added in electronic trade.
Exports fell 37% in the first quarter of 2009,
primarily due to falling demand for electrical
components, which make up 60% of exports.

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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Economy
As a consumption-driven company, the
main concern in 2011 is the effect of the current
oil price spike.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Economy
Recently elected Pres. Aquino has pledged
to cut the deficit, though he hopes that better
enforcement of tax collection will account for
most o the decline. He has held off increasing
tax rates until the effects of administrative
efficiency initiatives are seen.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Economy
The transparency initiatives in the budget
and the go e e t’s fight to rid itself of
corrupt public officials are already increasing
business confidence domestically and abroad –
the stock market has doubled and gaining
momentum, FDI applications have also
increased.
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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Economy
Remittances will continue to support
growth. Almost a quarter of the cou t y’s labor
force works abroad and remittances (about 1%
of GDP) prop up the balance of payments and
support consumption and investment growth,
particularly in the booming real estate sector.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Economy
Looking ahead, the challenge for the
government is to encourage foreign and domestic
investment, which have remained stubbornly low,
and translate growth into poverty reduction.
Inclusive growth will be the main theme of the next
6-year development plan – underpinned by
increased spend for education and health and
infrastructure investment through Public-Private
Partnerships.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
International Relations
• Relations with United States
– US remains major importance to the Philippines
– US is the largest bilateral trading partner and source
of foreign investment
– US provides support for Philippine counterterrorism
efforts.
Although the US no longer has a permanent military
presence in the Philippines, there are annual joint exercises.
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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
International Relations
• Relations with China
– China is also important as both a trading partner
and a source of development assistance.
– There is an established and wealthy Chinese-
Filipino community in the Philippines that
predates the first Spanish settlement.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
International Relations
The Philippines was a founder member of the
Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
in 1967. It remains actively engaged with this and
other international organizations such as the UN,
where it is a member of the G77 group of
developing nations. Current international
negotiations of particular concern include the WTO
Doha Development round and the UNFCCC climate
change negotiations.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Recent Political Developments
In May 10, 2010, the country held its first
automated national election, which was widely viewed as
a success. Over 17,000 candidates stood for elected
office, including nine presidential candidates. Benigno
Noynoy Aquino III won the elections with
approximately 40% of the vote, beating his nearest rival
by 15%. He took office on June 30, 2010 and has made
fighting corruption, stimulating employment and
increasing foreign investment his key priorities.
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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
International Relations
• Relations with China
– Chinese interest is welcomed as a counterbalance
to US influence.
– However, tension remains over the Spratly Islands
where China and Philippines are competing for
territorial claims.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
International Relations
Ensuring the safety and well being of
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is a key
foreign policy concern. Over one million Filipinos
leave the country each year for short-term
contracts abroad, primarily in North America
and the Middle East. There are currently
approximately 250,000 Filipinos living in the UK.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Internal Conflicts
The Philippines are affected by two internal
armed conflicts.
1. Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and
its a ed i g, the Ne People’s A y NPA
– Both seek a atio al de oc atic e olutio
– NPA units are present in rural areas throughout
the Philippines
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Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Internal Conflicts
The Philippines are affected by two internal armed
conflicts.
2. Between the government and armed groups
seeking an independent Muslim state on the southern
island of Mindanao
– Mindanao was once predominantly Muslim but
migration from other parts of the Philippines has
changed the religious and ethnic balance.
– In 1996, a peace deal was signed with the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), creating the Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Human Rights
The Philippines is a functioning democracy
with a flourishing civil society and a lively
independent media. It is one of only a few
countries in Southeast Asia to abolished the death
penalty and has acceded to most UN Human
Rights Treaties.
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Internal Conflicts
Another problem is the terrorist group Abu
Sayyaf, known to have links with Jamaah Islamiyah, is
responsible for incidents of kidnap-for-ransom and
bombing of public areas in southwestern Mindanao.
They are alleged to be hiding in MILF and MNLF-
controlled areas. Although the Armed Forces have
had significant success in crippling terrorist groups by
groups by going after their leaders, there is still a high
threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines.
Philippines Beyond EDSA Revolution
Human Rights
When President Benigno Aquino III assumed
office in June 2010, he declared the protection
and promotion of human rights an essential
component of his overall vision of just,
transparent and pro-poor government.