ADDITIONAL REVIEWER FOR GENERAL EDUCATION

Since independence in 1898 and the ratification of the Philippine Constitution in the First
Republic, there have been 15 presidents. Starting with General Emilio Aguinaldo all the
way to outgoing president Benigno Aquino, this article details each president's particular
contributions and achievements while in office.

1. EMILIO AGUINALDO 1899–1901

 One way to remember the first president of the Philippines First Republic is to look at the
five peso coin. General Emilio Aguinaldo's face used to grace the five peso bill—not in
use anymore—and the back of the bill shows him holding the Philippine flag at the
celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.

Contributions and Achievements

 First (and only) president of the First Republic (Malolos Republic)
 Signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, creating a truce between the Spanish and Philippine
revolutionaries
 Known as the President of the Revolutionary Government
 Led the Philippines in the Spanish-Philippine War and the American-Philippine War
 Youngest president, taking office at age 28
 Longest-lived president, passing away at 94

2. MANUEL L. QUEZON, 1935–1944

 After 34 years of Insular Government under American rule, Philippine voters elected
Manuel Luis Quezon as the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. He is
known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa). He died of
tuberculosis in Saranac Lake, New York.

Contributions and Achievements

 First Senate president elected as President of the Philippines
 First president elected through a national election
 First president under the Commonwealth
 Created National Council of Education
 Initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth
 Approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language of the Philippines
 Appears on the 20-peso bill
 A province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila are named after him
 His body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle
3. JOSÉ P. LAUREL, 1943–1945
 José P. Laurel's presidency is controversial. He was officially the government's caretaker
during the Japanese occupation of World War II. Criticized as a traitor by some, his
indictment for treason was superseded later by an amnesty proclamation in 1948.

Contributions and Achievements

 Since the early 1960s, Laurel considered a legitimate president of the Philippines
 Organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas, or Association
for Service to the New Philippines), a provisional government during Japanese occupation
 Declared Martial Law and war between the Philippines and the U.S./United Kingdom in
1944
 With his family, established the Lyceum of the Philippines

4. SERGIO OSMEÑA, 1944–1946

 Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth. During his presidency,
the Philippines joined the International Monetary Fund.

Contributions and Achievements

 First Visayan to become president
 Joined with U.S. General Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 to begin
restoration of Philippine freedom after Japanese occupation
 Philippine National Bank was rehabilitated and the country joined the International
Monetary Fund during his presidency
 Bell Trade Act was approved by the U.S. Congress during his presidency
 Appears on the 50-peso bill

5. MANUEL ROXAS, 1946–1948

 Manuel Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines, the third (and last) president
under the Commonwealth, and the first president of the Third Republic of the Philippines.
He held office for only one year, 10 months, and 18 days.

Contributions and Achievements

 Inaugurated as the first president of the new Republic after World War II
 Reconstruction from war damage and life without foreign rule began during his
presidency
 Under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were
accepted by Congress
 Appears on the 100-peso bill
6. ELPIDIO QUIRINO, 1948–1953
 Elpidio Quirino served as vice president under Manuel Roxas. When Roxas died in 1948,
Quirino became president.

Contributions and Achievements

 Hukbalahap guerrilla movement active during his presidency
 Created Social Security Commission
 Created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption
 Quezon City became capital of the Philippines in 1948

7. RAMON MAGSAYSAY, 1953–1957

 Ramon Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales. He was a military governor and an
engineer. He died in an aircraft disaster while boarding the presidential plane.

Contributions and Achievements

 Hukbalahap movement quelled during his presidency
 Chairman of the Committee on Guerrilla Affairs
 First president sworn into office wearing Barong Tagalog during inauguration
 Presidency referred to as the Philippines' "Golden Years" for its lack of corruption
 Philippines was ranked second in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries during his
presidency
 Established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among
other agrarian reforms

8. CARLOS P. GARCIA, 1957–1961

 A lawyer, poet, and teacher, Carlos P. Garcia also served as a guerrilla leader during the
Pacific War. Born in Bohol, Garcia serviced as vice president under Ramon Magsaysay
and as secretary of Foreign Affairs for four years. He became president when Magsaysay
died in 1957.

Contributions and Achievements

 Known for “Filipino First Policy,” which favored Filipino businesses over foreign
investors
 Established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce
 Known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “Bard from Bohol”
 Cultural arts was revived during his term
 First president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

9. DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL, 1961–1965

 Born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal was a lawyer and professor. His
daughter Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the 14th and second female president of the
 Philippines.

Contributions and Achievements

 Established the first Land Reform Law, allowing for the purchase of private farmland to
be distributed in small, inexpensive lots to the landless
 Placed the Philippine peso on the currency exchange market
 Declared June 12, 1898 to be Philippines’ Independence Day
 Signed the Minimum Wage Law
 Created the Philippine Veterans Bank

10. FERDINAND MARCOS, 1965–1986

 Born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a lawyer and Senate President for
three years. He was president for 21 years. He ruled under martial law and his dictatorship
was known for its corruption and brutality. Marcos was removed from office after the People
Power Revolution.

Contributions and Achievements

 First president to win a second term
 Declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972
 Increased the size of Philippine military and armed forces
 By 1980 the Philippine GNP was four times greater than 1972
 By 1986 the Philippines was one of the most indebted countries in Asia
 Built more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals, and other infrastructure than all former
presidents combined
 Only president whose remains are interred inside a refrigerated crypt

11. CORAZON AQUINO, 1986–1992

 The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman to become president of an
Asian country, Corazon Aquino was born in Paniqui, Tarlac. She was a prominent figure in
the People Power Revolution that brought down Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship.
 Her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., was a senator during the Marcos regime and its strongest
critic. He was assassinated while Marcos was still in power.

Contributions and Achievements

 First woman to be president of the Philippines or any Asian country
 Restored democracy
 Abolished the 1973 Marcos Constitution and ushered in the new Constitution of the
Philippines
 Reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government
 Signed the Family Code of 1987, a major civil law reform, and 1191 Local Government
Code, which reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government
 Initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy
 Named “Woman of the Year” in 1986 by Time magazine
 On the new 500-peso bill together with her husband Benigno Aquino
12. FIDEL V. RAMOS, 1992–1998
 Fidel V. Ramos was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he
became president. He was also a civil engineer. As president, he restored economic growth
and stability in the country, even during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He is the first, and
so far only, non-Catholic president of the Philippines.

Contributions and Achievements

 Oversaw Philippine economic growth
 Presided over celebrations of Philippine Independence Centennial in 1998
 Received British Knighthood from the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II (Knight Grand
Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George)
 Hosted the fourth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leader's Summit in the Philippines in
1996
 Philippine Stock Exchange became an international favorite during his presidency
 Death penalty reinstated while he was in office
 Signed peace agreement with the rebel Moro National Liberation Front

13. JOSEPH ESTRADA, 1998–2001

 Known as "Erap," Joseph Estrada was the first president who had been a famous film actor.
His presidency was controversial. During his years in office, economic growth was slow and
he faced impeachment proceedings. He was ousted from the presidency in 2001. He was later
convicted of stealing from the government but was pardoned. He ran unsuccessfully for
president in 2010.

Contributions and Achievements

 During his presidency Moro Islamic Liberation Front headquarters and camps were captured
 Joined other leaders and politicians to try to amend the 1987 Constitution
 Cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989
 Among the “Magnificent 12” who voted to terminate the agreement that allows for U.S.
control of Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base

14. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, 2001–2010

 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the 14th president of the Philippines (and second female
president). The Oakwood Mutiny occurred during her term. Arroyo oversaw road and
infrastructure improvements and higher economic growth than presidents before her, but there
was also controversy.
 The so-called "Hello Garci" controversy involved recordings that allegedly captured Arroyo
ordering the rigging of the election that put her in office. In 2005, Arroyo faced impeachment
proceedings related to the recordings but the impeachment failed. After she had left office,
Arroyo faced additional charges of election fraud and misuse of state funds.

Contributions and Achievements

 Second female president of the country
 First and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far
 First president to take oath outside Luzon
 Former Economics professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, where later president
Benigno Aquino III was one of her students
  Ex-classmate of former U.S. President Bill Clinton at Georgetown University’s Walsh School
of Foreign Service, where she maintained dean’s list status
 Oversaw higher economic growth than the past three presidents before her
 Peso became the best-performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007
 eVAT Law was implemented under her term

15. BENIGNO AQUINO III, 2010–2016

 Benigno Aquino III joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his presidency.
He was the first bachelor president, as he was unmarried and had no children.

Contributions and Achievements

 Created the no "wang-wang" (street siren) policy
 Appointed statesman Jesse Robredo to serve as secretary of Interior and Local Government in
2010, where Robredo served until his death in 2012
 Initiated K-12 education in the Philippines
 Renamed the Office of the Press Secretary to Presidential Communications Operations Office
and appointed new officers
 Suspended allowances and bonuses to Government Owed and Controlled Corporation and
Government Financial Institution board members
 Oversaw 7.1% growth of the Philippine economy in 2012

16. RODRIGO DUTERTE, 2016–2022

 Before he became president, Rodrigo Duterte was a member of the House of Representatives
and later the mayor of Davao City. He had a long history of making inflammatory remarks
about human rights, his fellow international leaders, the Catholic Church, and other
controversial subjects.

Contributions and Achievements

 Oldest person to assume the office of presidency at the age of 71
 In July of 2016, a Pulse Asia Research survey found that Duterte had a trust rating of 91%.
 Initiated an economic policy called "DuterteNomics," which focused on developing
infrastructure and industry
 In December 2017, signed the TRAIN Law (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) in
an attempt to simplify the country's tax system
 Spearheaded the Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program to stimulate the economy and
reduce poverty

17. FERDINAND "BONGBONG" MARCOS, 2022–PRESENT

 Bongbong Marcos is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos. In
1966, young Bongbong and his sister Imee were two of the children waiting for the Beatles to
attend a reception at the palace in a miscommunication between their mother and the band
that later became known as the "Manila incident."
 Before becoming president, Bongbong was the governor of Ilocos Norte, a member of the
House of Representatives, and a senator.

Contributions and Achievements

 After he took the oath of office of president, Marcos appointed himself Secretary of
Agriculture to personally monitor and expand food and agricultural programs.
 One of his first executive actions was to abolish the Presidential Anti Corruption
Commission.
 Starting in August 2022, the Marcos administration has been exploring ways to boost the
country's military capabilities.
 Marcos has also been seeking ways to strengthen education and the economy, which were
both compromised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 On the international stage, Bongbong Marcos is considered relatively pro-American but
seems open to closer ties with China.

REPUBLIC ACTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

A. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003: ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT

OF 2000

 RA 9003 established a comprehensive framework for solid waste management in the

Philippines. Key provisions include:

 Mandated waste segregation at source (households, commercial establishments)

 Created a National Solid Waste Management Commission and local waste management
boards
 Required local government units to develop solid waste management plans
 Established targets for waste diversion from landfills
 Promoted recycling, composting, and resource recovery
 Prohibited open dumping, with requirements for sanitary landfills
 Provided incentives for environmentally-friendly practices

B. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121: PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND

MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010
 RA 10121 marked a paradigm shift from disaster response to proactive disaster risk reduction.
Major features include:

 Established the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
 Required development of disaster risk reduction plans at all government levels
 Created a framework integrating climate change adaptation
 Mandated allocation of at least 5% of government revenues for DRRM funds
 Emphasized community participation and capacity building
 Promoted a multi-hazard, multi-sectoral approach to disasters
 Required regular disaster preparedness drills and simulations

C. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7638: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ACT OF 1992

 RA 7638 created the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure a reliable, stable energy supply.
Key elements include:

 Established the DOE as the primary authority on energy policy and planning
 Mandated the development of comprehensive energy utilization programs
  Provided for the exploration, development, and utilization of energy resources
 Promoted energy conservation and efficiency
 Regulated the energy industry to ensure fair competition
 Facilitated private sector participation in the energy sector
 Created attached agencies including the National Power Corporation

D. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9513: RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2008

 RA 9513 aimed to accelerate the development of renewable energy resources. Major
provisions include:

 Created a Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring electricity suppliers to source a portion

of their energy from renewables
 Established a Feed-in Tariff system providing fixed rates for renewable energy producers
 Offered fiscal incentives like income tax holidays and duty-free importation of equipment
 Created a Renewable Energy Trust Fund for research and development
 Established the National Renewable Energy Board
 Mandated the development of the National Renewable Energy Program
 Streamlined permitting processes for renewable energy projects

E. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10533: ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION ACT OF 2013

 RA 10533 established the K-12 educational system in the Philippines, adding senior high
school (Grades 11-12). Key features include:

 Extended basic education from 10 to 13 years (including kindergarten)

 Implemented a specialized upper secondary curriculum with academic, technical-
vocational, sports, and arts tracks
 Aligned curriculum with international standards
 Enhanced teacher training requirements
 Strengthened mother tongue-based multilingual education
 Promoted partnerships between schools and industry
 Required regular curriculum review and updating

F. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10612: FAST-TRACKED S&T SCHOLARSHIP ACT OF 2013

 RA 10612 expanded opportunities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) education through:

 Providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate STEM degrees

 Requiring scholars to teach STEM subjects in secondary schools
 Offering financial assistance, book allowances, and other benefits
 Implementing a mentoring program for scholars
 Creating partnerships between Department of Science and Technology, Department of
Education, and higher education institutions
 Prioritizing students from underserved areas
 Promoting career advancement for STEM educators

G. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10931: UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY

EDUCATION ACT OF 2017
 RA 10931 established free tuition and other school fees in public higher education. Major
provisions include:

 Free tuition and miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges (SUCs)
 Coverage for local universities and colleges (LUCs)
 Financial assistance through the Tertiary Education Subsidy
 Student loan programs with affordable terms
 Expanded benefits for underprivileged students
 Institutional support for quality improvement
 Strengthened coordination between higher education and technical-vocational institutions

H. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7104 - COMMISSION ON THE FILIPINO LANGUAGE ACT

 Republic Act No. 7104, approved on August 14, 1991, established the Commission on the
Filipino Language (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino or KWF). This act replaced the Institute of
Philippine Languages and the Philippine Language Commission.
 The KWF serves as the primary government agency tasked with developing, preserving, and
promoting the Filipino language. Its primary functions include:

 Undertaking research for the development and enrichment of Filipino as the national
language
 Formulating policies and programs to ensure the evolution and further development of
Filipino
 Publishing dictionaries, grammar books, and other language materials
 Serving as the primary advisory body to the President and Congress on language matters
 Promoting Filipino as a medium of instruction in schools and government
communications

I. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7355 - MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN ACT

 Republic Act No. 7355, approved on April 3, 1992, is known as the "Manlilikha ng Bayan
Act" or the "National Living Treasures Award." This act:

 Established a program recognizing Filipino traditional folk artists as "National Living

Treasures"
 Created a system for identifying and honoring master practitioners of traditional arts who
have made significant contributions to Philippine cultural heritage
 Provided for grant benefits to awardees to ensure the preservation and transmission of
their craft
 Mandated the documentation of traditional techniques, methods, and practices
 The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) administers this program,
which honors master craftspeople in various traditional arts such as weaving, pottery,
boat-making, metalwork, and other indigenous crafts. Awardees receive financial
assistance, opportunities for exhibitions, and support for apprenticeship programs to
ensure their knowledge is passed on to younger generations.

J. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 - FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
 Republic Act No. 8491, approved on February 12, 1998, is also known as the "Flag and
Heraldic Code of the Philippines." This comprehensive legislation:
  Provides for the proper display, use, and care of the Philippine national flag
 Establishes protocols for the national anthem, pledge, and coat of arms
 Details the specifications for official government seals and insignias
 Sets guidelines for the proper conduct during flag ceremonies and official events
 Prescribes penalties for violations of the code
 Notable provisions include regulations on displaying the flag with the blue field up
during peacetime and red field up during wartime, proper half-mast procedures, and
prohibitions against using the flag in merchandise or as decoration. The law also
mandates the singing of the national anthem, "Lupang Hinirang," in Filipino and sets the
proper etiquette during its performance.

K. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10066 - NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT

 Republic Act No. 10066, approved on March 26, 2010, is also known as the "National
Cultural Heritage Act of 2009." This landmark legislation:

 Establishes a comprehensive framework for the preservation, protection, and promotion

of cultural heritage
 Protects cultural properties against exportation, modification, or demolition
 Creates the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property
 Designates "Heritage Zones" for the preservation of historical sites
 Provides tax incentives for private conservation efforts
 Mandates heritage education in schools
 Sets penalties for destruction or exportation of cultural properties
 The law significantly enhanced the powers of cultural agencies like the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the
Philippines (NHCP), and National Museum to protect cultural properties. It introduced
the concept of "presumption of cultural property" for artifacts more than 50 years old and
established emergency measures for threatened heritage sites.

THE KATIPUNAN – HISTORY, SIGNIFICANCE, AND PEOPLE LEADING TO

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

The Katipunan, also known as Kataastaasan Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng

Bayan (KKK), holds a prominent place in Philippine history. This revolutionary society played a
crucial role in the fight for independence against Spanish colonial rule. Emerging in the late 19th
century, it was founded by Filipino patriots who sought to liberate the country from Spanish
oppression. It was established on July 7, 1892, by Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa,
along with a group of like-minded individuals who aimed to unite Filipinos and inspire resistance
against the Spanish regime.

Spanish abuse, which included forced labor (polo y servicio, high taxation and discrimination
caused widespread grievances among the local population, furthered the need for change. This paved
the way for revolutionary sentiments to take root.

The 19th century witnessed the rise of Filipino nationalism and the spread of Enlightenment
ideas. Filipino intellectuals, known as ilustrados, became exposed to liberal ideals and concepts of
democracy through education in Europe and exposure to foreign literature. The Ilustrados were
predominantly from the Filipino middle and upper class and had access to education, which was
limited to a privileged few during the Spanish colonial period. They received formal education in
prestigious universities, both in the Philippines and abroad, particularly in Spain. This exposure to
western education, liberalism and nationalistic ideals shaped their thinking and fueled their desire for
social, political, and economic reforms.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF KATIPUNAN MEMBERSHIP?

There were 3 categories of membership:

A. KATIPON – lowest class – with a password of Anak ng Bayan
B. KAWAL – middle class – having a password of GomBurZa
C. BAYANI – highest class – with Rizal as their password