Manuel Roxas – Being the first president of the Philippines
after the Second World War, he initiated the rehabilitation of
the country after the damages that it incurred in the duration
of the war, as well as facilitating arrangements with the
Americans. Unfortunately, his presidency was only shortlived, for he died of a heart attack barely two years after
assuming the presidency.
by: Paulyn Navarrete
Every president of the Philippines experienced his or her own share of
success and defeat. They all implemented several policies and created
a number of projects, some of which were effective, while some didn't
turn out right. Practically all of the presidents faced criticism for some
of their actions that affected the country and its citizens in any way.
Ferdinand Marcos – He was the longest serving president, having been
in office for around 20 years. He is considered as one of the best and
smartest presidents that the Philippines ever had. It was during his presidency when there were a lot of infrastructures built, such as the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, and many more. He
prolonged his stay in office by declaring martial law shortly before his
second term was about to end. It was considered as a very dark time in
Philippine history. He created a new constitution during this time. He was
ousted from his presidency because of the People Power Revolution. Additionally, during his term, the Philippines was under a lot of debt that up to
this very day, has not been paid back yet.
Elpidio Quirino – He became president after the death of
Manuel Roxas, but he later ran for reelection in what was
considered the dirtiest elections in the history of the Philippines before the time of Marcos. The pacification of the Huks
(HUKBALAHAP during the Japanese Occupation/World War
II) happened during his time, but he was not given the credit
for it, for it was then Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay
who led the people under him to fight the rebels.
Benigno Aquino III – One of his achievements would be continuous increase of the
growth of GDP. It was also during his term
when Chief Justice Corona was impeached,
and the Manila bus hostage crisis happened.
The biggest issue that happened so far during
his administration would be the pork barrel
scam, which revealed the involvement of three
senators. He still has two years left until his term
will end, and a lot could happen in two years,
so we should justwait and see what his future
achievements and failures will be.
Corazon Aquino – She was the first woman president of the Philippines.
She was the wife of Senator Ninoy Aquino, who was considered as Marcos’
biggest political rival, who was shot as he was getting out of his plane, which
just arrived in the Philippines. She ran against Marcos during the snap elections, because the opposition deemed her as the most qualified candidate who
could run against Marcos because she was the exact opposite of him. While
she was the president, the 1987 Constitution was created in order to replace
the constitution that Marcos made during martial law, and it is the constitution
that is still being used today. She reestablished democracy in the country
during the term. She also faced several troubles due to pro-Marcos people
moving against her and several coup d’états happened during her term as
well.
Fidel Ramos – It was during his time as president when the
Philippines’ economy catapulted and the country’s economy was
dubbed as the “Tiger Economy of Asia,” due to the economy
progressing, as seen in the increase of the growth of GDP during
his term. It was also during his term when electricity rates in the
Philippines were ranked as the 2nd most expensive in Asia.