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Presidents of The Philippines and Their Achievements
Presidents of The Philippines and Their Achievements
Since independence in 1898 and the ratification of the Philippine Constitution in the First Republic,
there have been 15 presidents. Starting with General Emilio Aguinaldo all the way to current
president Benigno Aquino, this article details each president's particular contributions and
achievements while in office.
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.
Contributions and Achievements:
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 and Achievements:
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superseded later by an amnesty proclamation in 1948.
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
declared Martial Law and war between the Philippines and the U.S./United Kingdom in 1944
with his family, established the Lyceum of the Philippines
became president at 65, making him the oldest person to hold office
first Visayan to become president
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 and the country joined the International Monetary
Fund during his presidency
Bell Trade Act was approved by the U.S. Congress during his presidency
appears on the 50-peso bill
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.
inaugurated as the first president of the new Republic after World War II
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
appears on the 100-peso bill
Ramon Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales. He was a military governor and an engineer. He died
in an aircraft disaster while boarding the presidential plane.
known for “Filipino First Policy,” which favored Filipino businesses over foreign investors
established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce
known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “Bard from Bohol”
cultural arts was revived during his term
was the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
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.
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
The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman to become president of an Asian
country, Corazon Aquino was born in Paniqui, Tarlac. 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.
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. As president, he restored economic growth and stability in
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.
Known as Erap, Joseph Estrada was the first president who had been a famous film actor. His
presidency was controversial. During his years in office economic growth was slow and he faced
impeachment proceedings. He was ousted from the presidency in 2001. He was later convicted of
stealing from the government but was pardoned. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2010.
during his presidency Moro Islamic Liberation Front headquarters and camps were captured
joined other leaders and politicians to try to amend the 1987 Constitution
cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989
among the “Magnificent 12” who voted to terminate the agreement that allows for U.S. control
of Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the 14th, president of the Philippines (and the second female
president). 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.
A Final Note
In my opinion, the Philippine economy was stronger when Filipinos believed in and trusted their
leaders. Many ex-presidents were lawyers or professors and citizens found them to be trustworthy.
Those presidents were able to keep the economy strong even in the midst of financial crisis in the
rest of the world.
The Philippine economy began to suffer when people lost trust in their leaders and began to rally.
Here is what I think: We need great leaders, but what we really need right now are great followers.
Bring back the Filipinos who used to respect and honor their commander-in-chief in spite of bad
publicity. Bring back the good vibes. When the people feel positive, the stock market and the peso
rise, investors become interested, jobs open up, and Filipinos are happy.