JOSEPH ESTRADA 1998-2001

Joseph Estrada is a prominent Filipino politician who served as the 13th President of the Philippines
from 1998 to 2001. Before his presidency, he had a successful career as an actor, starring in numerous
films and television shows, earning him the nickname "Erap," which is "pare," or "buddy," spelled
backward

During his presidency, Estrada focused on pro-poor policies, such as improving healthcare and
education, but his administration was marred by allegations of corruption and incompetence. In 2001,
he was ousted from power in a popular uprising known as the "EDSA II Revolution" due to widespread
public discontent and accusations of corruption.

After his presidency, Estrada continued to be involved in Philippine politics, serving as the Mayor of
Manila from 2013 to 2019. He also ran for the presidency again in 2010 and for mayor of Manila in
2019 but was unsuccessful in both attempts. Throughout his career, he has remained a polarizing
figure, with supporters praising his efforts to uplift the poor and critics condemning his governance
style and alleged corruption.

Estrada’s first priority was to focus on the improvement of the economy. Creating the environment of
peace and order in which business does well so as to uplift the economy of the country. Estrada
wanted to focus on the masses and put up programs for them first. He promised the masses that they
will not suffer anymore and let the rich people take a share on the sacrifices. As he states

“As far as resources permit, to the best of our ability and the limit of our energy, we will put a roof
over their heads, food on their tables, and clothes on their backs. We will educate their children and
foster their health. We will bring peace and security, jobs and dignity to their lives. We will put more
infrastructure at their service, to multiply their productivity and raise their incomes.”

He stated several points regarding how the government can help out in improving the country.
Stamping out crimes, providing basic services without the extra cost of pork barrel, roads for work,
infrastructure, schools, clinics, national defense are some of the factors Estrada promised to
implement or establish. Erap swore to give at once a government that works. Estrada also promised
to bring peace and harmony to the society. He wanted every Filipino, rich or poor to feel that they are
safe.

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.