Emilio Aguinaldo

"Ang Magiting na Heneral" Emilio Aguinaldo - 1st Philippine President General Emilio
Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901) Controversially dubbed by some as the Philippine
president who sold the Philippines independence, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's symbolic face can be
found in the old 5-peso bill which is no longer used in the Philippines. You can find him in the 5-
peso coin where an emblem of the Philippine flag during which the celebration of the Philippine
Independence Day is celebrated can also be seen. 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 Achievements: first president of the first republic of the Philippines
youngest general of the Hukbong Sandatahan in his time and also the country’s youngest
president at age 28 the longest living president who died at an old age of 94 years old leaders of
Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan Pact of Biak na Bato signatory.

Manuel L. Quezon
(November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944) As the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang
Pambansa in Tagalog), Manuel Luis Quezon is Philippine president known to have died of a
common man's disease, tuberculosis in his last few days in Saranac Lake, New York according
to a wiki biography. You can find an interesting and unique memorabilia of his life-sized wax
statue inside the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, a place named after his own and
called Q.C. Rotonda. With many firsts under his biography according to wikipedia, below is a
list. Contributions and Achievements: first Senate president elected as one of the Philippine
Presidents in his time won as the first president through a (nation-wide) national election first
president under the Commonwealth created the National Council of Education initiated women’s
rights in the Philippines during the Commonwealth regime made Tagalog / Filipino as the
national language of the Philippines, hence he is called "Ama ng Pambansang Wika" he is in the
current twenty-peso bill to his legacy, his name was made as the remembering name of Quezon
Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Quezon province, Quezon City, Quezon Bridge and MLQU and
MLQHS respectively in Manila his remains still lie at the Rotonda monument in Quezon
Memorial Circle.

Jose P. Laurel
(October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945) The 3rd among Philippine presidents to assume office
during the era of the Japanese occupation of World War II, Jose P. Laurel is the only Filipino
president in his time to have been shot outside of combat. Contributions and Achievements: he
organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas) he declared Martial Law
in 1944 his family became popular for establishing one of the pioneer universities in Manila -
Lyceum of the Philippines.
Enter

Sergio Osmeña
(August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946) Sergio Osmeña - the second Philippine president and of the
Commonwealth regime whose face appears in the 50-peso bill. Contributions and Achievements:
the oldest president to resume office, this legend is already 65 when he became president of the
Philippines he was the first Visayan to become president of the country (wikipedia) he joined
then US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of the
Philippines from the Japanese during World War II - "Leyte Guld landing" it was during his
regime, that the Philippine National Bank (PNB) has been rehabilitated and the country joined
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during his time, the popular Bell Trade Act was
approved by the US Congress.

Manuel Roxas
(May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948) He was the fifth Philippine president but was considered as the
third and last president under the Commonwealth era making him the next first leader of the
Third Republic of the Philippines. Shortlived as he served for some reason, he only assumed
office for a very short period of 1 year, 10 months and 18 days to be exact. Contributions and
Achievements: was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the
Philippines was finally free after the WW II in his time, the country has started reconstruction
from war damage and the Philippines started breathing without foreign rule under his term, the
Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by the congress he is
in the 100 peso bill.

Elpidio Quirino
(April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953) Served first as the vice president of Manuel Roxas in his
time and assumed to become the next leader and Philippine president when the latter died in
1948. Contributions and Achievements: under his term in the Japanese occupation, Hukbalahap
movement (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon) was active he created Social Security
Commission now SSS he also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption an
important historical fact is during 1948, Quezon City was still the capital of the Philippines and
not Manila an important figure of inflation / depletion is that in his regime, the peso and dollar
exchange rate was 1 US = P2.00, a rate we can never regain from today's presidents.

Ramon Magsaysay
(December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957) Born as a native of Iba, Zambales, he was a military
governor, and engineer. He died on a plane crash on Dec. 1957, boarding the presidential plane
named “Mt. Pinatubo". Contributions and Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay: popularized
mambo Magsaysay song and dance was a chairman of the Committee on Guerilla Affairs
Popularly known as the "president of the masses" was the first president sworn into office
wearing Barong Tagalog in his inauguration his presidency was referred as the Philippines’
Golden Years for it was the cleanest and zero-corruption the Philippines was ranked 2nd in
Asia’s clean and well-governed countries allowed common Filipino masses to enter the
president's house he established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA) among his agrarian reforms.
Carlos P. Garcia
(March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961) A well renowned country lawyer in his time, Carlos P.
Garcia was a critically acclaimed poet, teacher and self-proclaimed guerilla leader. Born in the
province of Bohol, like Elpidio Quirino, he was the vice president of the former Philippine
president in his time, Magsaysay He also served as the secretary of Foreign Affairs for 4 years
until he became president when Magsaysay died in 1957. Contributions and Achievements:
adopted the “Filipino First Policy” he established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino
trade and commerce recognized and dubbed as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “bard from
Bohol” cultural arts was strongly promoted during his term of tenure which was his nature as a
leader the first president whose remains were buried in the "Libingan ng mga Bayani".

Diosdado Macapagal
(December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965) Born in Lubao, Pampanga, like his latter clan, the
2nd female Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Diosdado Macapagal, was another
lawyer and a professor in his time. Contributions and Achievements: established the first Land
Reform Law was popular with farmers in his time he placed the Philippines currency – peso, on
the currency exchange market declared June 12 in 1898 as the Philippines’ official Independence
Day Minimum Wage Law signatory signatory to the creation of the Philippine Veteran’s Bank.

Ferdinand Marcos
(December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986) Born from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin
Marcos was a lawyer, Senate President for 3 years who defended himself in his own few cases
was also the longest running dictator Philippine president ever know in Philippine and world
history. He was president for 21 years and was sent out of his office after the People Power
Revolution. His wife, Imelda Marcos was a popular icon in his reign for owning so much of a
signature shoe collection from all over the world. He had the most controversial terms of all
Philippine presidents especially during his time when he declared and used Martial Law to
remain in tenure as the highest government official in the country. He was the first ousted
president due to excessive and oppressive use of power and was the first to voluntarily flee out of
office because of EDSA People Power. He was indeed one of the best military and political
tactician and brightest president who ever lived to retain the longest reign using his power and
knowhow in Philippine laws as a lawyer. His wealth, still unknown even to his grave. He was
ousted and so are his alleged ill-gotten wealth rumored and found in numerous Swiss accounts.
Contributions and Achievements: awakened the Filipino to put up the EDSA revolution during
the 80's the first president to win a second term he declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972 to
which in my time I am born and called martial law baby empowered and increased military
population to fuel his dictatorship intents in the armed forces led the Philippines in 1986 to
become one of the most indebted countries in Asia thru IMF Worldbank funds the only president
who had a record of building more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals and infrastructures than all
former presidents did, combined the only president whose remains interred inside a refrigerated
crypt to preserve his legacy by the family.

Corazon Aquino
(February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992) The first woman president of the Philippines and Asia at the
same time, Cory Aquino is the wife of Benigno Aquino Jr. (who was assassinated during the
Marcos regime allegedly for fueling the desire of Filipinos to free themselves from bondage of a
dictator). She was born in Paniqui, Tarlac and of wealthy decent belonging to the haciendero
Cojuangco clan. Contributions and Achievements: was named Time Magazine's “Woman of the
Year” in 1986 after EDSA revolution (People Power) brought back the song "tie a yellow
ribbon" and turned the color yellow as a symbol for freedom and democracy first female
president of the Philippines and Asia simultaneously she’s known to bring back democracy in the
country through a peaceful revolution known in world history as EDSA revolution 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 became popular with the term "filipino
people" in her reign as Philippine president 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 her face appears
in the latest 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquino one of 100 Women of the
world Who Shaped History 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century one of 65 Great
Asian Heroes recipient of J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding.

Fidel V. Ramos
(June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998) A military general in his time when the former first female
president resumed power over EDSA revolution, the popular name for this Philippine president
is FVR. He was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Cory's regime
before he became president. A civil engineer by college career, Ramos is a PMA bred elite. He
brought back economic growth and stability in the country in spite of the Asian Financial Crisis
in 1997. He is the first and only non-Catholic (protestant) president of the Philippines.
Contributions and Achievements of Fidel V. Ramos during his reign, the country was cited as
Asia’s Next Economic Tiger because he brought back economic growth the Philippines
celebrated Centennial Independence in 1998 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) led the 4th APEC Summit held in the Philippines his “Philippines
2000” vision made the Philippine Stock Exchange one of the best improving and rising
economies in the world during mid-90s Death Penalty was reinstated in his time signatory to
peace talk agreement with the MNLF.

Joseph Estrada
(June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001) Erap para sa mahirap is his popular slogan. Joseph Ejercity
Estrada is the first film actor to become president of a country next to Ronald Reagan. Because
of his winning, all sorts of showbiz politicians sprouted like happy mushrooms in the arena. His
governance had been through to numerous controversies and characterized by impeachments,
slow economic growth and was later on convicted guilty of plunder case. The first president who
was literally impeached and the second to flee the country by virtue of forced leave of office he
was later on replaced by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in aid of the People Power III in EDSA.
Philippine economy was at its worst because of his proven corrupt leadership (as stated in
wikipedia for convicted plunder). Contributions and Achievements: during his time, the MILF’s
Camp Abubakar headquarters was reinforced by the military popularized the "erap para sa
mahirap" slogan which played a major role to his winning the presidency after the general (FVR)
reign supported against the Charter Change was cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators
in 1989 was among the “Magnificent 12” who voted for the termination of US Military Bases
Agreement and removal of US forces and all alleged armaments present in Clark Airbase and
Subic Naval Base.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

(January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010) Gloria Arroyo, a Capampangan native and daughter of ex-
president Diosdado Macapagal, became the second female Philippine president. She was 14 back
when she became familiar, moved and lived in the Malacanang Palace as the daughter of the
president. The Oakwood Mutiny is her most popular seige during her tenure and is one of the
first serious attempts to overthrow her uprooted claim to power thru EDSA revolution. With
controversies and impeachments during her term, Gloria also got involved in the popular Hello
Garci scandal which was one of the biggest obvious unproven disgrace to a president.
Contributions and Achievements: second female president of the country first and only female
vice-president of the Philippines so far (to date) first president who had oath taking outside of a
president's territory in Luzon an ex-professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University
she was one of the mentors of the current Philippine president, Noynoy Aquino gained higher
economic growth than the past 3 presidents before her Philippine economy grew at its fastest in 3
decades in 2007, GDP exceeding 7% growth as claimed by Malacanang press releases US ex-
president Bill Clinton cited Gloria’s “tough decisions” because of her brilliant strategy to make
the country's economy back in shape amidst the 2008 global financial crisis Peso became the best
performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007 eVAT Law was implemented during her reign as
Philippine president.

Benigno Aquino III

(June 30, 2010 –June 30, 2016 ) Popularly known as PNoy, he is the son of the first female
Philippine president and of Asia – Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Real name is Simeon Benigno
Aquino III a.k.a. NoyNoy or PNoy joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his
presidency. He is the first bachelor Philippine president who is still unmarried to this day, May
10, 2014. He is the only Philippine president I saw who had no idiot board and "codigo" of his
speech during SONA. 4 years of term led him to become popular with his mouth-stiff decisions
and his SONA (state of the nation address) promises, PNoy is an idol to many but a failure to the
militant group critics. His family is part owner of Hacienda Luisita which had been to the longest
controversial Land Reform Law subject to this day. Contributions and Achievements:
popularized the no wang-wang policy responsible for getting to know the noble Jesse Robredo as
the secretary of DILG in 2010. he initiated the K-12 education in the Philippines during his term
he renamed the Office of the Press Secretary into Presidential Communications Operations
Office and appointed new officers he signed an EO about suspension of allowances and bonuses
of GOCCs and GFIs board members has paved peace in Mindanao thru the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Movement Cyber Crime Law was born during his term responsible for restructuring of
many government systems to his "tuwid na daan" progressive move.

Rodrigo Duterte
( June 30 ,2016 - June 30, 2022) He was the first president from Mindanao, the first president to
have worked in all three branches of government, and the oldest to be elected. He won the
election amid growing frustration with post-EDSA governance that favored elites over ordinary
Filipinos.Duterte began a crackdown on illegal drugs and corruptionleading to a reduction in
drug proliferation[6] but also causing the deaths of 6,600 peopleHis administration withdrew the
Philippines from the International Criminal Court after the court launched a preliminary
examination into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the crackdown. Duterte
increased infrastructure spending and launched Build! Build! Build!, an ambitious building
program. He initiated liberal economic reforms, including reforming the country's tax system. He
also established freedom of information under the executive branch to eliminate corruption and
red tape. Additionally, he granted free irrigation to small farmers and liberalized rice imports
with the Rice Tariffication Law. Duterte implemented a campaign against terrorism and signed
the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act. He declared martial law in Mindanao during the five-
month Battle of Marawi and extended it for two years, the longest period of martial law in the
Philippines since Ferdinand Marcos' 14-year rule. He pursued peace talks with the Communist
Party of the Philippines (CPP) but cancelled them in February 2017 after New Peoples Army
(NPA) attacks on soldiers and declared the CPP-NPA a terrorist groupHe created task forces to
end local communist armed conflict and for the reintegration of former communist rebels, and
enacted a law establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and granting amnesty to former
rebels. Duterte implemented free college education in state universities and colleges and
institutionalized an alternative learning system. He also signed the automatic enrollment of all
Filipinos in the government's health insurance program and ordered the full implementation of
the Reproductive Health Law. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he initially implemented
strict lockdown measures, causing a 9.5% contraction of the gross domestic product (GDP) in
2020However, with the economy gradually reopening and a nationwide vaccination drive, the
GDP recovered to 5.6% in 2021Duterte sought improved relations with China and Russia and
reduced dependence on the United States. He took a pragmatic stance toward China, setting aside
the Philippines v. China ruling on South China Sea claims. Duterte is a polarizing figure, facing
criticism and international opposition for his anti-narcotics efforts. Despite this, his domestic
approval rating stayed high throughout his presidency.

Ferdinand R. Marcos, JR.

( June 30, 2022 - present Having been in public service for over 25 years, Ferdinand “Bongbong”
Marcos Jr. has achieved a distinguished career in government. His electoral journey has allowed
him to serve in several positions in both the executive and legislative branches of government.
His various stints in government have allowed him to carve his niche in the Philippine’s rich
political history. As a young boy in Manila, Bongbong went to Institucion Teresiana and La
Salle Greenhills in Manila where he obtained his kindergarten and elementary education,
respectively. Due to his parents’ insistence that he grow up grounded without being
overwhelmed by his family’s stature, Bongbong was sent to England where he lived and studied
in an all-boys Benedictine abbey, Worth School. Thereafter, he pursued his undergraduate
degree, graduating with a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University in England.
In his desire to pursue further studies, Bongbong took up Masters in Business Administration in
Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. Though he felt
privileged to enter such an esteemed institution, he had to cut his studies short because he was
elected Vice-Governor of the province of Ilocos Norte in 1981, at a young age of 23. He
succeeded as Governor of the province from 1983 to 1986. After his family’s return from exile in
1992, Bongbong served as Congressman in the Second District of Ilocos Norte. Among the
measures he authored was the landmark law establishing the Philippine Youth Commission. He
was also instrumental in advancing the cause of cooperatives by devoting most of his
Countryside Development Fund (CDF) to organizing the cooperatives of teachers and farmers in
his home province. From 1998 to 2007, Bongbong served as Governor of Ilocos Norte where he
served for three consecutive terms. During his tenure, he transformed Ilocos Norte into a first-
class province of international acclaim, showcasing its natural and cultural destination areas. It
was also during his stewardship that Ilocos Norte became a pioneer in wind power technology
which, to this day, serves as an alternative source of energy not only for the needs of his
province, but for the other parts of northern Luzon as well. In 2007, Bongbong was again elected
to Congress, where he was appointed Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
During this term, one of the important pieces of legislation he authored was the Philippine
Archipelagic Baselines Law (Republic Act No. 9522). In 2010, Bongbong won a seat in the
Philippine Senate, placing 7th overall. He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Local
Government and the Committee on Public Works. He is married to lawyer Louise Araneta-
Marcos with whom he has three sons: Sandro, Simon & Vincent.