Fidel Ramos, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Joseph Estrada: A

Summary of their Life, Presidency and their Achievements.

Group 5:
Jauculan, Renel
Ranchez, Shakira
Habing, Hacy
Mendoza, Mikhael
Pulmano, Regine
Fidel V. Ramos
 Biography
• Fidel V. Ramos is the twelfth president of the Philippines who served from 1992
to 1998. He was born on March 18, 1928 at Lingayan, Pangasinan, and was the
son of Narciso Rueca Ramos and Angela Marcos Valdez. He married Amelita
Jara Martinez and had 5 children. His high school education at University of the
Philippines High School, Manila (1940 - 1941), then to Mapua Institute of
Technology High School, Manila (1942 - 1944), then graduated at Centro Escolar
de Senoritas Boys’ High School, Manila (1945). He entered Military school at
United States Military Academy at West Point from 1950. He then took his
masters of Science in Civil Engineering at University of Illinois at 1951, masters
in National Security and Administration at National Defense College of the
Philippines at 1969. Lastly he took his masters in Business Administration at
Ateneo de Manila University at 1980. His profession was a Soldier and a Civil
Engineer before becoming a Politician.
 Biography
• In 1972 President Ferdinand Marcos (who was Ramos’
second cousin) appointed him chief of the Philippine
Constabulary, and when Marcos imposed martial
law later that year Ramos was responsible for enforcing
it; the Constabulary arrested thousands of political
dissidents. In 1981 Ramos became deputy chief of staff
of the armed forces
 Biography
• After the presidential elections of 1986, in which Marcos
claimed victory despite allegations of large-scale electoral
fraud, Ramos and defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile
supported Marcos’ opponent, Corazon Aquino. Their defection
sparked the civilian “People Power” movement that forced
Marcos into exile. During Aquino’s presidency Ramos served
as military chief of staff (1986–88) and secretary of national
defense (1988–91), and he suppressed several military coup
attempts against her government.
 Biography
• Ramos was elected to succeed Aquino in May 1992. As president he purged the
national policeforce of corrupt officers; encouraged family-planning practices to curb the
growth of the country’s population; and liberalized the Philippines’ heavily protected economy
in order to spur economic growth. Ramos’ governing coalition won a decisive victory in
congressional elections held in 1995, midway through his six-year term as president. His
administration reached peace agreements with two long-active guerrilla insurgencies, the
communist New People’s Army and the Muslim separatists of the Moro National Liberation
Front. He meanwhile continued his efforts to deregulate major industries that were
dominated by a handful of large companies and to improve the government’s inefficient tax-
collection system. These reforms helped revitalize the Philippines’ economy, which emerged
from years of stagnation to grow at a rapid rate in 1994–97. The country was thus able to
weather a severe business downturn that crippled national economies across Southeast
Asia in 1998. Ramos was constitutionally restricted to one term as president, which ended in
June 1998.
 Highlights of being a President
• As president he purged the national policeforce of corrupt officers; encouraged family-planning practices to
curb the growth of the country’s population; and liberalized the Philippines’ heavily protected economy in
order to spur economic growth. Ramos’ governing coalition won a decisive victory in congressional elections
held in 1995, midway through his six-year term as president. His administration reached peace agreements
with two long-active guerrilla insurgencies, the communist New People’s Army and the Muslim separatists
of the Moro National Liberation Front. He meanwhile continued his efforts to deregulate major industries
that were dominated by a handful of large companies and to improve the government’s inefficient tax-
collection system. These reforms helped revitalize the Philippines’ economy, which emerged from years of
stagnation to grow at a rapid rate in 1994–97. The country was thus able to weather a severe business
downturn that crippled national economies across Southeast Asia in 1998. Ramos was constitutionally
restricted to one term as president, which ended in June 1998
 Legislation made that exists today
• Republic Act No. 8552: Domestic Adoption Act of 1998. (Ramos, F. V., 1998)
• Republic Act No. 8445: Establishing Sampaloc National High School. (Ramos, F. V.,
1997)
• Republic Act No. 8295: Proclamation of a lone candidate for any elective office in a
Special Election. (Ramos, F. V., 1997)
• Republic Act No. 8178, s. 1996: Agricultural Tariffication Act. (Ramos, F. V., 1996)
• Republic Act No. 7916: The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. (Ramos, F. V., 1995)
• Republic Act No. 7904: Amending Section 185 of the Omnibus Election Code. (Ramos,
F. V., 1995)
• Republic Act No. 7820: Partido Development Administration Act of 1994. (Ramos, F. V.
1994)
• Republic Act No. 7686: Dual Training System Act of 1994. (Ramos, F. V. 1994)
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
 Biography
• Joseph Estrada, original name Joseph Ejercito, (born April 19, 1937, Manila,
Philippines), Filipino actor and politician who served as president of
the Philippines (1998–2001) and later mayor of Manila (2013– ).
• The son of a government engineer, Estrada entered the Mapua Institute of
Technology with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps, but he
eventually dropped out to become a film actor. Forbidden by his parents to use
the family name, he adopted the screen name Erap Estrada. He played the lead
in more than 100 movies, usually portraying a swashbuckling tough guy who
defends the poor against the corrupt establishment. He also produced some 75
films
 Biography
• In 1968 Estrada entered politics, successfully running for the mayorship of the Manila suburb of
San Juan, a post he retained until 1986. In 1969 he was elected to the Senate. In 1992 he ran for
vice president on the National People’s Coalition ticket. Although the party’s presidential canidate,
Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., lost the election to Fidel Ramos, Estrada won the vice presidential
contest.
• In 1998 Estrada ran for president, though his candidacy faced significant opposition. Ramos, who
was constitutionally barred from running for a second term, endorsed House Speaker José de
Venecia, and many of the country’s powerful businessmen opposed Estrada’s populistproposals.
The Roman Catholic Church denied Estrada its support because he had admitted to having
fathered four children by women other than his wife. However, he did have the support of Imelda
Marcos, the widow of former president Ferdinand Marcos and then a member of Congress, and
he enjoyed a devoted following among the country’s poor. Estrada managed to capture nearly 40
percent of the vote, handily defeating his nearest rival, de Venecia, who garnered only 15.9
percent. The margin of victory was the largest in a free election in the history of the Philippines,
and Estrada was officially declared president by Congress on May 29, 1998.
 Highlights of being a President
• In 1998 Estrada ran for president, though his candidacy faced significant opposition. Ramos,
who was constitutionally barred from running for a second term, endorsed House Speaker
José de Venecia, and many of the country’s powerful businessmen opposed
Estrada’s populistproposals. The Roman Catholic Church denied Estrada its support because he
had admitted to having fathered four children by women other than his wife. However, he did
have the support of Imelda Marcos, the widow of former president Ferdinand Marcos and then
a member of Congress, and he enjoyed a devoted following among the country’s poor. Estrada
managed to capture nearly 40 percent of the vote, handily defeating his nearest rival, de
Venecia, who garnered only 15.9 percent. The margin of victory was the largest in a free
election in the history of the Philippines, and Estrada was officially declared president by
Congress on May 29, 1998.
 Highlights of being a President
• On July 10, 2000, government troops finally seized Camp Abubakar after two months of
intense firefight. People were killed and wounded, thousands of families were displaced. But
that wasn't enough for the president. Sixteen years ago, Estrada sent military foces to seize
an MILF stronghold, a moment of false triumph in a continuing history of conflict. Estrada
then went to see what remained of the camp, and the destruction pleased him. Together with
members of the military, he celebrated by bringing in lechon and beer to a mosque, eating
what counts for sin on hallowed ground, surrounded by a camp destroyed and a people's
deepening resolve. It was a spectacle, not a victory. The Estrada administration spent over a
bilion peses to crush the MILF, but 16 years later, the MILF is stronger than ever -- showing
strength by pursuing the path of peace instead of war, showing that it can and has gone
beyond a former president's seemingly ignorant apporach to conflict resolution.
 Highlights of being a President
• The Sandiganbayan meted out a guilty verdict against former
President Joseph Estrada on plunder charges and sentenced
him to reclusion perpetua, or a jailterm of up to 40 years. The
ousted leader was allowed continued stay in his Tanay
resthouse. He also was ordered for the forfeiture of his
illegally acquired wealth.
 Legislation made that exists today
• 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%.
 Legislation made that exists today
• 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.
 Legislation made that exists today
• 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.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
 Biography
• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the President of the Philippines who was born on
April 5, 1947. She’s the daughter of the late Philippine President Diosdado
Macapagal. Macapagal-Arroyo graduated from Assumption College in the
Philippines, holds a master’s degree in economics from Ateneo de Manila
University, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of the Philippines. After
teaching economics, Macapagal-Arroyo became former President Corazon
Aquino’s Undersecretary of Trade and Industry. She was elected senator in
1992, winning reelection in 1995 by a landslide. In 1998 Macapagal-Arroyo won
the vice presidency. She assumed the presidency in January 2001 when street
demonstrations forced Joseph Estrada, who faced serious corruption allegations,
from office. She is married to lawyer and businessman Jose Miguel Tuason
Arroyo. They have three children, Mikey, Luli, and Dato.
 Highlights of being a President
• Arroyo was supported by the military, the business elite and the Catholic church. In her early
years she generally had high approval ratings. Support for Estrada remained strong in some
communities in the early years of her rule. Many viewed her an usurper who took power from
an elected official—Estrada. When she visited poor neighborhoods, where Estrada was
popular, she was greeted with chants of “ Erap pa rin” (“We are still for Erap”). Arroyo was
regarded as a hard worker and a professional. She reportedly showed up for work at 6:00am
and worked 16 hours a day, six days a week. Initially she was a welcome change from
Estrada’s gambling, womanizing and drinking binges. Arroyo promised to lift 40 percent of
Filipinos out poverty, cut the unemployment rate from 10 percent to 6 percent and eradicate
corruption. But it seemed that many Filipinos were more concerned about her appearance
than her policies. In one press conference shortly after becoming president she said she had
no plans to remove her beauty mark and did not consider herself particularly pretty. She
described her husband as a “dreamboat” and said she would have to wear skirt to meetings
to be respected. Newspapers criticized her grey suits and suggested that she wear more
colorful and more feminine clothes. Many papers ran sketches of how she would look in
different cloths, hairstyles and make up.
 Highlights of being a President
• Arroyo’s initial term in office was marked by fractious coalition politics as well as a military
mutiny in Manila in July 2003 that led her to declare a month-long nationwide state of
rebellion, as a result of which charges were filed against more than 1,000 individuals. To
strengthen her power base, Arroyo embarked on a program aimed at improving the life of the
poor. Arroyo initially made a sincere effort to tackle corruption. One of her first moves as
preside was to order the sale of all luxury cars that Estrada gave senior bureaucrats. She
told her staff to live simply and said no one, not even members of her family, were above the
law. As time went on there were increasing accusations that Arroyo’s administration was
corrupt and ineffectual. Her own husband was accused of taking a $2.5 million bribe in an
effort to get him to influence his wife on a major telecom deal. Arroyo herself was accused of
making too many television appearances, lacking substance and lacking the toughness to
bring about real change. Arroyo was unable to achieve many of her goals and carry out
programs she proposed due to political opposition, mainly from the ruling elite. Arroyo and
her cabinet said that the political fighting and sniping exhausted and frustrated them deeply.
 Highlights of being a President
• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was welcomed with great fanfare when she
became president in 2001. The day she was sworn in, the stock market
surged 30 percent and businessmen praised her skills and abilities, Arroyo
launched free market and anti-corruption policies that were welcomed by
both the local and international business communities. Again there was a
sense of hope. But again the sense optimism didn’t last long. Investment
dried up as a result of global slowdowns and security concerns. Direct foreign
investment was only $319 million in 2001 compared to $1.8 billion in 1992.
Growth was 3.4 percent in 2001, 4.3 percent in 2002 and 4.5 percent in
2003. In 2004 the economy was hurt by high oil prices. Still more growth was
needed just to keep pace with 2.36 percent population growth rate. Inflation
was less than 6 percent but the deficit grew at an alarming rate as the
government spending increased and tax revenues fell.
 Highlights of being a President
• Raising revenues became one of the main problems. In 2003, the deficit
reached $3.6 billion and debt was estimated to be over $100 billion. The
government’s debt burden reached its peak in 2004 when it settled at 74
percent of GDP. Arroyo began her second term in 2004 with promises of
“austerity and simplicity” and the announcement of a reform package to
fight corruption, attract foreign investment, and make the Philippines less
dependent on foreign energy. She promised to create 10 million jobs by
2010 and announced that power rates would be doubled to avert an
energy crisis, She also promised to provide clean water and electricity to
every village in the Philippines and build 3,000 schools. The plan called
for the seemingly impossible combination of increased spending, higher
taxes and a balanced budget in five years.
 Highlights of being a President
• Arroyo’s economic drive quickly lost momentum. She was unable to over come
political opposition to privatizing companies like the National Power Corporation,
which lost $1.8 billion in 2003. Instead an effort was made to make them
efficient. By the end of her term much of her time was spent responding to
charges that she rigged the 2004 elections and he was husband was involved in
kickback scheme with a Chinese company involving millions of dollars. Growth in
2003 and 2004 was around 5 percent due in art to rising demand for Philippines
electronic exports. Growth occurred despite continued hikes in oil and consumer
prices on top of typhoons and floods. Growth was 4.7 percent in 2005. That year
exports amounted to 40 percent of GDP. Many of the export items were
electronics. Two-thirds of Philippine imports are used to build exported computer
parts, disks and other electronic products made by local units of companies such
as Texas Instruments Inc. and Toshiba Corp.
 Highlights of being a President
• In July 2003, 300 junior officers and soldiers staged a revolt against the
government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They seized a Manila hotel,
apartment complex and shopping mall in the Makato financial district in Manila
and took several hundred hostages for a while. No shots were fired but the
mutineers said they had rigged a huge area with explosives and threatened to
set them off it their demands were not met. It was the ninth uprising in 17 years.
The officers made allegations of corruption, complained how they suffered while
retired officers lived well, accused the military of selling arms to terrorists and
Muslim insurgents and set off bombs to blame insurgents and demanded that
certain government officials, including the Defense Secretary and the national
police chief, resign. The officers were regarded as band of Young Turks, Their
average age was only 27.
 Highlights of being a President
• One of them said, “We are not attempting to grab power. We are just trying to
express our grievances.” The mutiny ended after 19 hours after intense
negotiations. The soldiers went back to their barracks and faced court martial
charges after authorities agreed to investigate the corruption charges and other
complaints. When the whole episode was over one of the mutineers told the
media, “We were ready to die but gave up for the sake of our comrades in the
military and the interest of the people and the country.” The mutiny was well
organized. This led some to include that it was not the work of idealistic young
officers but had the support of some senior military personnel. Some thought the
whole affair was orchestrated by conservative military leaders and Estrada. After
the mutiny a group of junior military officer and a top aid to Estrada were
arrested. An army intelligence chief was forced to resign for not getting wind of
the plot.
 Highlights of being a President
• There were other incidents involving the military. In November
2003, a former Air Transport Office chief and a navy reserve
officers, armed with guns and explosives, sized control of a
control tower at Manila airport. The two men said they wanted
to expose government corruption. After several attempts to
get them to surrender and worries about airport operations,
authorities ordered that the two men be shot and killed.
Ironically the first plane to land after the two men were killed
was piloted by the son of the former Air Transport Office chief.
 Highlights of being a President
• After the mutiny, Arroyo announced some reforms in the military: a strengthening
of the chain of command, better allocation of resources, and ways to lift morale
and reduce opportunities for corruption. Some high level military people were
investigated for corruption. In August, 321 soldiers and officers were indicted for
staging a coup. A former aid of Estrada, Ramon Cardenas, was charged with
rebellion for letting the mutineers use his house as a staging area for their plot.
More than 80 officers and 200 enlisted men were court-martialed for the July
2003 mutiny. A few dozen were cleared because they were found to have been
misled into taking part. In 2005, the enlisted personnel were freed from army
detention and restored to active service after they agreed to enter into plea-
bargaining deals, accepting minor punishments. A few days before Christmas in
2007 Arroyo ordered the early release of 53 military officers still in jail for their
involvement in the 2003 failed mutiny against her.
 Highlights of being a President
• The 53 officers were serving 4-½ year sentences. As of 2007, Twenty-nine
officers, considered to be the leaders of the 2003 failed mutiny, were still facing
charges in both civilian and military courts. Except for two officers, the rest have
agreed to a deal to accept minor punishments and be discharged.[Source:
Reuters, December 20, 2007] In 2008, Carlos H. Conde, wrote in the New York
Times, “A Philippine court sentenced nine military officers to prison terms ranging
from 6 years to up to 40 years for participating in a 2003 coup attempt against
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The officers were among 31 accused of
raiding and occupying a hotel in Manila’s business district on July 27, 2003, to
protest corruption in the military and demand reforms. Judge Oscar Pimentel,
who presided over the trial, sentenced two officers — Capt. Gerardo Gambala
and Capt. Milo Maestrecampo of the army’s elite Scout Rangers unit — to 40
years and the other seven to sentences ranging from 6 to 12 years. [Source:
Carlos H. Conde, New York Times, April 9, 2008 ^*^]
 Highlights of being a President
• “Prosecutors said the sentences were harsher than they had expected. “The
decision caught us by surprise,” said Richard Fadullon, one of the prosecutors,
adding that they had requested a maximum 20-year sentence for the leaders.
The military chief of staff, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, said: “Our judicial system
is taking its due course. I appreciate them for having pleaded guilty.” The officers
changed their pleas last week to guilty, raising speculation that they had reached
a deal with the prosecution. Prosecutors and defense lawyers denied that a plea
bargain had been arranged. However, Trixie Angeles, a lawyer representing
several of the accused, said the officers could expect a presidential pardon
because they changed their plea. “It would be normal for us to expect pardon,”
Ms. Angeles said. She said that General Esperon had been “instrumental” in the
officers’ decision to plead guilty.
 Highlights of being a President
• “In December, 53 soldiers jailed in a different coup attempt were released after
pleading guilty. Several of the accused in the 2003 mutiny, including Captains
Gambala and Maestrecampo, had publicly apologized to President Arroyo.
Prosecutors had argued that the mutiny was part of a larger plot to oust the
president and install a civilian-military junta. ^*^ “A navy lieutenant, Antonio
Trillanes, who led the 2003 mutiny, said that corruption was so rampant in the
armed forces that soldiers were dying because of inadequate supplies and
facilities, an allegation that the military denied. He also accused the military and
the Arroyo administration of having had a hand in bombings in the southern
Philippines that killed many civilians, a charge that the government also
dismissed. Lieutenant Trillanes and another officer accused of being a mutiny
leader, Captain Nicanor Faeldon of the Marines, are facing a criminal trial on the
same charges and a separate court-martial.
 Highlights of being a President
• “In November, Captain Faeldon, Lieutenant Trillanes and
other military officers walked out of court and briefly occupied
another Manila hotel, calling for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation.
Captain Faeldon remains at large after having eluded a police
dragnet during that incident. Lieutenant Trillanes ran for a
Senate seat last year and won, even though he remains in
detention awaiting trial.”
 Legislation made that exists today
• Executive Order no. 332, s. 2004 states that the
Cooperative Development Authority or CDA will be
transferred from the Office of the President and
attached to the Department of Finance.
 Thank you!
Group 5
Jauculan, Renel
Habing, Hacy
Ranchez, Shakira
Mendoza, Mikhael
Pulmano, Regin