PRESIDENTS

First Republic and Notable Presidents

Emilio Aguinaldo (1899–1901)

  • Born in Cavite el Viejo (Kawit).

  • Youngest president.

  • First President of the Philippines; led during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War.

  • Philippine independence proclaimed on June 12, 1898.

  • Part of the Magdalo faction of Katipunan.

  • Revolutionary government; no election process.

Manuel L. Quezon (1935–1944)

  • From Aurora province.

  • First elected president.

  • Father of the national language (Ama ng Wika); initiated women’s suffrage.

  • Approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language.

  • First Senate president elected as the president.

  • Instrumental in addressing social unrest in Central Luzon.

  • Quote: "My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins."

José P. Laurel (1943–1945)

  • President of the Japanese-occupied Philippines during World War II.

  • His leadership remains controversial.

  • From Batangas.

Third Republic and Subsequent Presidents

Sergio Osmeña (1944–1946)

  • Assumed the presidency during WWII after Quezon's death.

  • First assembly speaker.

  • Second president of the Commonwealth; first Visayan president.

  • Shortest-serving president.

  • Accompanied US General Douglas MacArthur during landing at Leyte on October 20, 1944.

Manuel Roxas (1946–1948)

  • First president of the independent Third Republic after gaining full sovereignty from the U.S.

  • Third and last president of the commonwealth

  • Focused on post-war reconstruction.

  • From Capiz; last president of the Commonwealth.

Elpidio Quirino (1948–1953)

  • Oversaw the recovery and economic rebuilding post-war.

Martial Law and the Fourth Republic

Ramon Magsaysay (1953–1957)

  • Known for social justice and poverty alleviation.

  • Died in a plane crash on Mt. Manunggal.

  • Supported the common citizen; abolished LASEDECO.

  • Signed the Rizal Law (RA 1425).

Carlos P. Garcia (1957–1961)

  • Introduced "Filipino First Policy" to strengthen the economy.

  • From Bohol; initiated austerity programs to combat corruption.

Diosdado Macapagal (1961–1965)

  • Moved Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12.

  • Established the Land Bank of the Philippines.

  • Abolished the land tenancy act.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (1965–1986)

  • Longest-serving president; declared martial law in 1972.

  • Regime ended after the People Power Revolution.

  • Focused on infrastructure and agricultural development.

Fifth Republic and Recent Presidents

Corazon Aquino (1986–1992)

  • First female president; restored democracy post-Marcos.

  • Known for the Freedom Constitution and CARP.

Fidel V. Ramos (1992–1998)

  • Fostered political reforms and economic unity.

  • Dealt with the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997.

Joseph Estrada (1998–2001)

  • Former actor; presidency ended with impeachment over corruption.

  • Known as the "Father of the Masses."

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001–2010)

  • Second female president; implemented strong economic policies.

  • Faced political controversies.

Benigno Aquino III (2010–2016)

  • Known for anti-corruption programs and restored integrity in governance.

  • Introduced K-12 Curriculum; dubbed the Philippines as the Rising Tiger of Asia.

Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022)

  • Known for controversial war on drugs and independent foreign policy.

  • First Mindanaoan president; referenced "Change is coming."

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (2022–present)

  • Son of former dictator Marcos; elected in 2022.

  • Promises unity and economic reforms; first president under the 1987 constitution elected by majority.