FIDEL VALDEZ RAMOS

The 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998

Although he was one of the architects of President Ferdinand
Marcos' Martial Law proclamation, Ramos was also part of the 1986
People Power Revolution that ended the two decades of Marcos'
rule in the Philippines
He strengthened the national economy for global competitiveness
through trade & investment and encouraging subsidies & corporation

Problems

Power Crisis (Nationwide blackouts)

Moro and Communist insurgencies (NPA and MNLF)
Asian Financial Crisis
Domination of few large companies in the Philippine market

Achievements

Rehabilitation and Privatization of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)

particularly power plants
Successfully signed peace agreement with the two biggest rebels; the MNLF and NPA
His reforms helped revitalize the Philippines economy, which emerged from years of stagnation to
grow at a rapid rate in 199497, and helped significantly in surviving the Asian Financial Crisis
He liberalized the Philippines heavily protected economy
His policies helped deregulate major industries that were dominated by a handful of large
companies

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

The 13th president of the Fifth Republic

His presidency was short-lived and only spanned for 31 months from
June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001
He was forced to step down from office and was replaced by her VicePresident, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Problems

Corruption Scandal
Renewed rebellion by Muslim rebel MILF
Doubled fiscal deficit
Impeachment Trial
EDSA People Power 2

Achievements

Creation of the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Task Force which brought down several syndicates
involving kidnap for ransom and carnapping
RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement
All Out War against the MILF which led to huge losses on the side of the rebels including the
capture of its biggest rebel camp, Camp Abu Bakr
Widened the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to the landless
peasants in the country side


Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

The 14th President of the Philippines and the current

representative of the second district of Pampanga
She served the remainder of her predecessor Joseph Estrada's
term after he was deposed
She is the second female president of the Philippines, after
President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino; and the first female vicepresident of the country

Problems

Oakwood Mutiny and Manila Peninsula Rebellion led by Antonio

Trillanes IV
Impeachment Complaints filed against her
Ampatuan Massacre where 57 people including journalists died in
the town of Ampatuan Maguindanao which was election related
Fertilizer Fund Scam
Hello Garci Controversy
Northrail Controversy
Terrorism brought by Abu Sayyaf

Achievements

Increase in tax collection

Intensified government efforts against terrorism
Credited for the country's modest economic growth from 2001 onwards
She has been a consistent choice in Forbes Magazine's list of the World's 100 Most Powerful
Women, ranking number 4 and 45 in 2005 and 2006, respectively

Benigno Aquino III

He is the 15th President of the Philippines where the first

automated election took place
He is the son of Benigno Aquino Jr., a former senator and
Marcos critic and Corazon Aquino, a former Philippine president

Problems

Midnight appointments of Gloria Arroyo which includes former

Chief Justice Renato Corona
Manila hostage crisis in Quirino Grandstand where 8 Hongkong
nationals died
Corruption and anomalies on the food and cash donations for
the victims of Typhoon Haiyan
Mamasapano Massacre where 44 SAF officers were killed by combined MILF, BIFF, and private
armies
Territorial disputes against China which led to a stand off between Chinese and Philippine ships in
Scarborough Shoal and building of artificial islands in Spratlys

Achievements

K-12 law which added two more years on Philippine Basic education to address the shortage in the
international standard
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with USA which allowed the US military to use
specified areas in the Philippines to build military installations amid the growing territorial row with
China
Acquisition of new military assets which improved the defense capability of the AFP
Successful impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona