Philippine Constitution and Presidents

Philippine Constitution

The 1987 Philippine Constitution

  • On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines.
  • The National situation in brief:
    • Civilian government still functions; no military takeover.
    • To save the Republic and form a new society.
    • The nation is calm; business, life goes on normally.

What is a Constitution?

  • It is a written instrument by which the fundamental powers of government are established, limited, and defined.
  • It distributes powers among several departments for their safe and useful exercise for the benefits of the body politics.

Preamble

  • The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution:

"We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution."

Parts of the 1987 Constitution

  • The Constitution is divided into 18 parts, excluding the Preamble, called Articles.
  • The Articles are as follows:
    • Article I - National Territory
    • Article II - Declaration of Principles and State Policies
    • Article III - Bill of Rights
    • Article IV - Citizenship
    • Article V - Suffrage
    • Article VI - Legislative Department
    • Article VII - Executive Department
    • Article VIII - Judicial Department
    • Article IX - Constitutional Commission
    • Article X - Local Government
    • Article XI - Accountability of Public Officers
    • Article XII - National Economy and Patrimony
    • Article XIII - Social Justice and Human Rights
    • Article XIV - Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports
    • Article XV - The Family
    • Article XVI - General Provisions
    • Article XVII - Amendments or Revisions
    • Article XVIII - Transitory Provisions

Presidents of the Philippines

Manuel L. Quezon

  • Commonwealth Period (1935 – 1944)
    • The First Filipino President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines under American rule.
    • He was advocating the Filipino language.

Jose P. Laurel

  • Commonwealth Period
    • President of the Second Republic.
    • He defended the interests and resisted Japanese efforts to draft Filipinos to the Japanese.
    • He was imprisoned in Japan when Douglas McArthur occupied the Philippines.
    • He returned to the Philippines to face charges of treason but were dropped when President Roxas issued an amnesty.
    • He was elected as Senator and negotiated the Laurel-Langley Agreement.

Sergio Osmena, Sr. (1944-1946)

  • Born: 9-Sep-1878
  • Birthplace: Cebu City, Philippines
  • Died: 19-Oct-1961
  • Location of death: Manila, Philippines
  • Gender: Male

Manuel Roxas

  • The Early Republic
    • Born on: January 1, 1892
    • Died on: April 15, 1948, due to heart failure
    • Political Leader and First President of the Republic of the Philippines.
    • He briefly served as the third and last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from May 28, 1946, to July 4, 1946.
    • First President of the Third Republic after the United States ceded its sovereignty over the Philippines.

Accomplishments of Manuel Roxas Administration

  • Roxas adopted a pro-American and anti-communist foreign policy.
  • Two Parties: Nacionalista Party; Liberal Party.
  • Agreements and Treaties he concluded in his two years:
    1. Treaty of General Relations with the United States, July 4, 1946
    2. War Surplus Property Agreement – Sept 11, 1946
    3. Military Agreement – March 14, 1947
    4. Military Assistance Agreement – March 21, 1947
  • Ratified a plebiscite of March 11, 1947, “Parity Amendment” granted to the American citizens equal rights with the Filipinos in developing and exploiting the natural resources and public utilities.
  • Bell Trade Act:
    • Preferential tariffs on US products imported into the Philippines;
    • A fixed exchange rate between the Philippine peso and the United States dollar;
    • No restrictions on currency transfers from the Philippines to the United States;
    • "Parity rights" granting U.S. citizens and corporations rights to Philippine natural resources equal to (in parity with) those of Philippine citizens
  • General Amnesty:
    • Guerillas and people who served in key positions during the Japanese occupation may be reinstated in the government.

Elpidio Quirino

  • Sixth President.
  • Second President of the Third Republic.
  • Term: April 17, 1948, to November 10, 1953.
  • Political leader and second president of the 3rd Republic of the Philippines.

Achievements of Elpidio Quirino Administration:

  1. He conducted his “fireside chats” which he gave weekly telling his audience the activities of his administration;
  2. He granted the Presidents’ Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PACSA) to help the needy;
  3. He established rural banks to facilitate credit in rural areas.
  • During his term, the armed communists led an uprising which at one time threatened the existence of the Republic.
  • In the 1953 elections, Quirino was defeated by the former Secretary of National Defense Ramon Magsaysay.

Ramon Magsaysay

  • Seventh President
  • Third President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
  • Term: December 30, 1953, to March 17, 1957
  • Best known for successfully defeating the communist led Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) Movement
  • Idol of the masses, champion of democracy, and freedom fighter.

Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay Administration

  • He saved democracy in the Philippines;
  • He brought the government closer to the people;
  • He improved the barrios;
  • He promoted nationalism by popularizing the wearing of barong tagalog and propagating the national language;
  • He held the “Manila International Conference of 1954” which resulted in the organization of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in September 8, 1954.
  • He signed the Reparation Agreement with Japan on May 9, 1956.
  • President Magsaysay’s term was to have ended December 1957, but he died in March of the same year when his plane crashed at Mount Manunggal in Cebu.

Carlos P. Garcia

  • Fourth President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
  • Term: March 18, 1957, to December 30, 1961
  • Famous for his austerity program and policy. He maintained the strong tradition ties with the United States and sought closer relation with non-communist Asian countries.
  • He was among the top ten in the bar exam.
  • Rather than practice law right away, he first served the country by being a teacher for two years at Bohol Provincial High School.
  • He became famous for his poetry in Bohol, where he earned the nickname "Prince of Visayan Poets" and the "Bard from Bohol".
  • On March 18, 1957, took his oath of office to serve the unexpired term of President Magsaysay.
  • In the presidential election of November 12, 1957, he ran for presidency and won, under the Nacionalista party, but unfortunately, his running mate, Jose P. Laurel Jr. was defeated by Congressman Diosdado Macapagal.

Achievements of Carlos P. Garcia Administration

  1. Strengthened democracy in the country;
  2. Adopted the “Filipino First Policy” which encouraged Filipino businessmen to engage in trade, foreign and domestic;
  3. Revival of the Filipino culture by sponsoring the annual Republic Cultural Heritage Awards to Filipino writers, scientists, and artists;
  4. Encourage world tours of Bayanihan Dance troops and other folk dance groups;
  5. Created the Jose Rizal Centennial Commission which took charge of “the preparation for a dignified celebration of the first centenary of the “National Hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal” on June 19, 1971.

Diosdado Macapagal

  • Fifth President of the Third Republic of the Philippines
  • Term: December 30, 1961, to December 30, 1965
  • Poet, politician, lawyer, diplomat, statesman, economist, and intellectual.
  • Born into poverty but rose due to diligence and brilliance. Best known as the "Champion of the Common Man”.

Achievements of Diosdado Macapagal Administration

  1. Used the National Language in diplomatic credentials, passports, stamps, and traffic signs;
  2. Gave typhoons Filipino names;

Ferdinand Marcos

  • Elected to the presidency on November 1965.
  • Sept 1972, Marcos declared Martial Law, claiming that it was the last defense against the rising disorder caused by increasingly violent student demonstrations alleged by CPP and MNLF.
  • 1973, he proclaimed the ratification of a new constitution based on the parliamentary system, with himself as both president and prime minister.
  • 1969, the first elected president in the Philippines to win re-election.

Achievements of Ferdinand Marcos Administration

  • He embarked on a number of socio-economic development programs aimed at improving the national economy and raising the living standards of the people;
  • He launched a massive infrastructure program that had many roads, bridges, irrigation systems, school houses, and other public works built or improved;
  • He pressed Congress to enact new tax and other revenue laws;
  • He invited the seven free world countries – United States, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, South Vietnam to hold a summit conference in Manila from October 24-25, 1966, to discuss how to stem the surging tides of communism in Southeast Asia.

Infrastructures Developed During Marcos Administration

  • Buildings:
    • Hospitals (Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center, Kidney Institute, Philippine Children Hospital).
    • Schools
    • Power Plants (geothermal plants, hydroelectric plants)
    • An International Airport
    • Housing Projects
    • Restorations (Intramuros, Luneta Park, etc.)
    • Philippine International Convention Center
    • Makiling Center for the Arts (National Arts Center)
    • Malacañang ti Amianan (Laoag)
    • Nayong Pilipino
    • Museum for Native Art (Tacloban)
    • Palace In the Sky (Tagaytay)
    • Government Buildings
  • Bridges:
    • San Juanico Bridge (Samar and Leyte)
  • Toll-Ways:
    • Manila North Diversion Road
  • Roads and Highways:
    • Marcos Highway (Baguio)

1980 and 1981 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution

  • Retirement age: 70
  • Modified parliamentary system

1984 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution

  • Abolished Executive Committee
  • Vice President
  • "constitutional authoritarianism" as understood and practiced in the New Society

Economic Achievements during Marcos Administration

  • Economic Prosperity during the 1970's and the early 1980's
  • Farmers had "price support" and financial support
  • Self-sufficient in rice exports
  • "Kilusang Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran"
  • Overseas Filipino Workers
  • Development of Infrastructures
  • These achievements gave the Philippines a taste of economic prosperity throughout the 1970's

Social Achievements during Marcos Administration

  • New Society:
    • Educational Reforms
    • Labor Reforms
    • Land Reforms
    • Social Services
    • Housing Projects
  • Martial Law maintained peace and order
  • Encourages economical growth
  • Farmers were given technical and financial aid as well as other incentives

Economic Growth during Marcos Administration

  • Economic growth rate increases from 5% to 6-7% (1970-1980)
  • The GNP increases from P55 billion (1972) to P193 billion (1980)
YearPre-WarPost-WarAnnual rate of Growth
1978-19793.3%
1979-19805.5%
1980-19816.1%5.4%4.9%
  • Gross National Product
  • Certain habits/behaviors of the people contribute to the obstacles to modernization.
  1. Ethic of "utang na loob"
  2. Colonial mentality
  3. In-group harmony and coherence
  • A spirit of self-sacrifice for the progress of the nation was needed.
  • "Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan"

The Downfall of Marcos and Return of Democratic Government

  • The assassination of Benigno Aquino as he returned to Manila in August 1983 was generally thought to have been the work of the military and it became the focal point of a renewed and more heavily supported opposition to Marcos’s rule.
  • By 1985, Marcos under mounting pressure both inside and out of the PH, called a snap presidential election for February 1986.
  • Corazon C. Aquino, Benigno’s widow, became the candidate of a coalition of opposition parties, Marcos was declared the official winner but strong public outcry over the election results, Aquino assumed the presidency
  • Aquino has a great personal popularity and widespread international. After that, she abolished the constitution of 1973 and began ruling by decree

Corazon C. Aquino

  • Born on January 25, 1933, in Tarlac
  • 11th President of the Philippines
  • First female president in the Philippines and in Asia
  • Wife of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
  • Mother of Pres. Benigno Aquino III
  • Her presidency spanned for six years from February 25, 1986, to June 30, 1992
  • Died on August 1, 2009, because of Colorectal Cancer

Accomplishments of Corazon Aquino Administration

Social Achievements:
  • DSWD (Department of Social-Welfare and Development)
    • Formerly called DSSD/MSSD
    • Objectives are:
      1. Protection and rehabilitation of the mentally and physically disabled
      2. Provide complete services for the needy
      3. Improve inhuman conditions
Political Achievements:
  • 1987 Constitution
    • Approved and enacted in February 1987
    • Crippled presidential power to declare martial law
    • Proposed the creation of autonomous regions in the Cordilleras and Muslim Mindanao,
    • Restoration of the presidential form of government and the bicameral Congress.
    • Contain articles which include the rights of the people
    • Created to replace the 1973 Constitution
  • Autonomous
    1. said of a country, state, etc: self-governing.
    2. independent of others.

Fidel Valdez Ramos

  • The Philippines Since 1990
  • Born On: March 18, 1928
  • 12th President of the Philippines (1992-1998)
  • Fidel Ramos received less than 24% of the overall vote.
  • Ramos was a former army chief of staff and defense minister under Aquino.
  • He was unpopular in some quarters because he had headed the agency charged with enforcing martial law under Marcos before turning against Marcos to give crucial support to Aquino in 1986
  • Ramos administration remedied the energy crisis and proceeded to create a hospitable environment for economic recovery.
  • The Asian financial crisis that swept the region in 1997, the PH economy was stable enough to escape serious damage.
  • Ramos’s foreign policy also earned positive diplomatic gains for the country abroad.

Jose Marcelo Ejercito (Estrada)

  • The Philippines Since 1990
  • Born On: April 19, 1937
  • 13th President of the Philippines (1998-2001)
  • He is a former movie star, mayor of a small town in Metro Manila, senator, and vice president of Ramos.
  • Estrada was impeached in November 2000, charged with bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of the public trust, and culpable violation of the constitution.

Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal – Arroyo

  • The Philippines 2000
  • Born On: April 5, 1947
  • 14th President of the Philippines (2001-2010)
  • She is the vice president of Estrada. A daughter of Diosdado Macapagal with a doctorate in economics.
  • She faced different challenges of leading a democracy, stimulating the economy to grow faster than the population.
  • In early December, Arroyo broke with the clan and declared martial law in a portion of Mindanao (the first time it had been imposed since Marcos era)

Benigno Simeon Aquino III

  • The Philippines 2000
  • Also called Noynoy, (born February 8, 1960, Manila, Philippines—died June 24, 2021, Manila), Filipino politician who served as president of the Philippines (2010–16).
  • Aquino’s chief domestic accomplishment was the conclusion of a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in October 2012.
  • Economic growth in the Philippines was strong during Aquino’s administration, but unemployment remained high, and opposition politicians argued that the benefits chiefly accrued to the country’s elite.