The Philippine Leaders

June Martin Del Mundo

Rica D. Ulaye
delmundojune13@gmail.com
ica_ulaye57@yahoo.com

Abstract – leadership is a manmade virtue but then many of us doubt our leaders and their ability to lead
our country. Philippines is a democratic country that is manipulated by many other countries. Despite of
the influences they brought to us we stood alone by our own feet. These influences mixed by our ancestors
and applied to our country as a way of leading. Dictatorship is one, but it never brought us to wealth,
many used the democratic way, but it was never being successful to upgrade our country’s class.

An analysis of leader’s biography is conducted to know how they are consistent, well-educated and
patriot in the way they lead.

As stated in their biographies these characteristics are the one they own during their time of leading the
whole country.

Their biography revealed the way they lead the country and the reason behind their leadership such as
inheritance, patriotism and popularity.

Keywords: leadership, countrymen, country

I.INTRODUCTION

Our Philippine leaders are the most exotic of the world. They are with the
different
raise and beliefs but one in aim. They wanted our country to be the best of the
world. Their past is connected to what they have done in our country during their
period of leading. Their education is all connected to what they used to do in our
country.
The way they lead our country differs but then many people can distinguish
who is the best president in their times. Persistency is depicted by Jose P. Laurel
through is educational attainment and his achievement before he reigns the whole
Philippines.Manuel Roxas is also an example of a consistent leader with his
attitude of leading.
 Well-educated leaders such as Ferdinand Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and
Emilio Aguinaldo thought cleverly how Philippines will reach the top and get its
freedom from corruption and Spaniards.
Patriotism is also a trait that they have as a leader. Manuel Roxas and Ramon
Magsaysay are the best example of the leader that was a patriot leader that had lead
our country.
Popularity and inheritance is the main reason except for patriotism why they
became a leader of our country. Like Joseph “Erap” Estrada, a movie actor that
entered the world of politics just because he is popular while Benigno “Noynoy”
Aquino III has the legacy of being a leader of our country. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
is also inherited her leadership from her father Diosdado Macapagal.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Research Method
The study made use of descriptive method in considering the way of the leading
of every leader that Philippines has.
Materials for Criticism
The auto biography of each president constitutes the primary source of the study.
Autobiographies of the presidents blended the facts to narrate the ways of leading and
reasons and traits of a leader. Ways and tactics of their leadership convey how they
leads the country ion their period. The traits they have in their time and lastly the
reasons why they became and destined to be the country’s leader.
Treatments of the Materials
The auto biographies are read and analyzed and decoded using the sociological
approaches to an autobiography.

Sociological approach aims to understand the social effects of their leadership by

asking people around the corner of our locality.

III.RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Throughout the history, leaders have been pre-occupied with investigating the
complex manifestation of leadership. Leader was viewed in terms of traits, reason and
strategies.
Many ways of leading of every president have been viewed to have better insight and
understanding of leader. But one interesting views about leaders is like their
educational attainment.

In fact, this study talks about how consistent, patriot and well-educated our leader is. I
found out that these leaders of our country are not that intended to be the one they
passed many obstacles and struggles in leading our country, but they never
surrendered. Some of them looks coward to our fellowmen because of some issues
they are hiding and avoiding being tackled during and after their term of presidency.
Others are being compared because of their similarities and differences with each
other that is noticed by public.

A thorough dissection of the Philippine leaders is presented in the following tables.

The first table describes the traits of the leaders in their biography through the
real-life experience of them
Table 2 determines the reason why they became a leader through their auto
biography
Table 3 provides the strategies they made during their times of leading
Table1. Leadership traits manifested by the elected President of the country.
Leadership Real Life Impression
traits Experience

Well- …Osmenia From reading

educated received a law their story
degree from the until
University of Santo analyzing it I
Tomas, Manila in must say that
1903.He was also the well-
the editor of educated
Spanish Newspaper presidents are
El Nuevo Día in rare. President
Cebu city. Marcos,
… After studying Emilio and
law in the GMA are the
university of the best example
Philippines, near of well-
Manila, Roxas educated
began his political leaders.
career in 1917 as a Because they
member of the really exert
municipal council what they
of Capiz. know in
…After obtaining reading our
law degree from country. We
UP near manila in can say that
1915, Quirino leaders of our
practiced law.” country are
…After attending really
the UP, Magsaysay destined to be
transferred to the our leader but
Institute of not all of
Commerce at Jose them fulfilled
Rizal College their real
(1928-1932), where responsibility,
he received a to lead us
bachelor’s degree righteously.
in commerce. Some of them
used they
education in
their leading
tactics.
Philippine
leader’s
education is a
key factor for
them to lead
us in the right
way and make
our future
bright.
However,
some of our
presidents
graduated and
got their
degree in
 prestigious
colleges, they
did not used
to lead that
good. Gloria
Macapagal
Arroyo is a
Suma Cum
Laude, but
she never
used to bring
us to the top.

Consistency From 1946 to 1947 A consistent

Marcos was a leader with a
technical assistant consistent
to Manuel Roxas, reliable
the performance
first president of is very rarer.
the independent They don’t
Philippine republic. have to be
He was a member criticized by
of the House of many fellow
Representatives Filipino
(1949–59) and of people to
the Senate (1959– change their
65), serving as attitude as
Senate president they are in the
(1963–65). In 1965 first
Marcos, who was a impression of
prominent member the people to
of the Liberal Party them. They
founded by Roxas, became
broke with it after consistent in
failing to get his some
party’s nomination instances
for president. He because it is
then ran as carried by
the Nationalist majority of
Party candidate for the Filipino
president against people. These
the Liberal leaders did an
president, Diosdado excellent job
Macapagal. The for sure
campaign was because they
expensive and impressed the
bitter. Marcos won Filipinos the
and was way they lead
inaugurated as our country
president on but some of
December 30, the mass did
1965. In 1969 he not’t agreed to
was reelected, what they are
becoming the first doing during
Philippine their time.
president to serve a Just like
second term. President
During his first Duterte, he is
term he had made a great leader
progress in to Davao City
agriculture, for many
industry, and years until he
education. Yet his became the
administration was president of
troubled our country,
by increasing but I think
student what he did to
demonstrations and Davao is not
violent urban applicable to
guerrilla activities. our country.
…Duterte was He became a
elected mayor in consistent
1988, and he was leader to
reelected to that Davao
post twice over the because his
subsequent decade. fellow
Because of term- davaoenos
limit restrictions, loved what he
he was barred from did to them.
seeking reelection
in 1998, but he
successfully ran for
 a seat representing
Davao in the
Philippines House
of Representatives.
Upon the
completion of that
term in 2001, he
returned to Davao
City and was once
more elected
mayor. Because the
term-limit
restriction again
came into force in
2010, he was
elected vice mayor,
and his daughter
Sara served as
mayor. In 2013
Duterte returned to
the mayor’s office,
this time with his
son Paolo
(“Pulong”) serving
as vice mayor.

Patriot The son of an Filipinos are

artisan, Magsaysay naturally
was a schoolteacher patriot tour
in the provincial country but
town of Iba on the then there is
island of Luzon. naturally
Though most patriot until
Philippine political they died.
leaders were of They loved
Spanish descent, our country
Magsaysay was of very much
Malay stock, like like Fidel
most of the Ramos. We
 common people. should be
Working his way patriot even
through José our
Rizal College government
near Manila, he does not fulfil
obtained a the things we
commercial degree need as a
in 1933 and Filipino. Love
became general of our country
manager of a is a little thing
Manila to consider
transportation but it means a
company. After lot to many
serving as a especially to
guerrilla leader on the pioneer of
Luzon our country
during World War who fought
II, he was for our
appointed military freedom.
governor of his
home province,
Zambales, when
the United
States recaptured
the Philippines. He
served two terms
(1946–50) as a
Liberal Party
congressman for
Zambales, his first
experience in
politics.

rrr
Table 1 is all about the manifested leadership traits that our leaders implied during
their term of leading.
Well-educated leaders are those leaders who completed their studies and got their
degrees in college
The consistent leaders are the leaders we loved the most because of their
performance in increasing our country’s pride and honor.
 Patriot leaders are those presidents who gave most of their time and effort for our
country.

Table2. Factors that became their strength why they are elected.
Reasons Real Life Experience Impression
Inheritance He was the son of Corazon Aquino, who Being a leader is
served as president of the Philippines already an honor
(1986–92), and political leader Benigno and it is great that
Simeon Aquino, Jr.—themselves the you got it from
children of politically connected families. someone in your
The elder Benigno, an opposition figure to family. You
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos who was inherited
imprisoned when the younger Benigno was something that
a child, was released and allowed to go to can be an
the United States in 1980. The following immense help to
year the younger Benigno, after graduating improve our
from Ateneo de Manila University with a economy. Yet,
bachelor’s degree in economics, followed there are still
his family to Boston. His father returned to leaders who
the Philippines in 1983 intending to became a leader
challenge Marcos for the presidency but not because they
was assassinated immediately on arrival. inherited it but
The family nevertheless returned to the because they were
country soon afterward, and there the forced to do the
young Aquino worked for companies same path as their
including Philippine Business for Social father or mother.
Progress and Nike Philippines. It is still up to you
… Corazon Conjunct was born into a on what path you
wealthy, politically prominent family based will choose. You
in Tarlac province, north of Manila. She can be a leader
graduated from Mount St. Vincent leading his/her
College in New York City in 1954 but fellow
abandoned further studies in 1955 to countrymen or a
marry Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr., who follower that is
was then a promising young politician. hiding behind
Corazon remained in the background your family's
during her husband’s subsequent career, legacy.
rearing their five children at home. Her
husband, who had become a prominent
 opposition politician, was jailed by Marcos
for eight years (1972–80), and Corazon
accompanied him into exile in the United
States in 1980. Benigno was assassinated
upon his return to the Philippines in August
1983. This event galvanized opposition to
the Marcos government.
… Arroyo’s father, Diosdado P.
Macapagal, was president of the
Philippines from 1961 to 1965. Arroyo
studied economics at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C., where she
began a lasting friendship with classmate
and future U.S. president Bill Clinton.
After returning to the Philippines and
graduating magna cum laude from
Assumption College in Manila in 1968,
Arroyo earned a master’s degree in
economics (1978) from Atene de Manila
University and a doctorate in economics
(1986) from the University of the
Philippines in Quezon City.

Patriotism The son of an artisan, Magsaysay was a Being patriot to

schoolteacher in the provincial town of Iba our own country
on the island of Luzon. Though most does make sense.
Philippine political leaders were of Spanish It is simple
descent, Magsaysay was of Malay stock, adjective but it
like most of the common people. Working you really feel this
his way through José Rizal College so called
near Manila, he obtained a commercial patriotism you can
degree in 1933 and became general dedicate all to our
manager of a Manila transportation nation. Every step
company. After serving as a guerrilla leader you take and
on Luzon during World War II, he was every move you
appointed military governor of his home make it will be a
province, Zambales, when the United part of our
States recaptured the Philippines. He beloved
served two terms (1946–50) as a Liberal community. We
Party congressman for Zambales, his first are lead by many
experience in politics. patriot leader, but
 …Ramos was educated at the U.S. Military I think it is not
Academy at West Point, N.Y., and at enough that you
the University of Illinois, U.S. He then are patriot, it is
entered the Philippine army, serving in also important to
Korea and Vietnam. In 1972 consider some
President Ferdinand Marcos (who was factors like how
Ramos’ second cousin) appointed him chief educated are you
of the Philippine Constabulary, and when and how strong
Marcos imposed martial law later that year you are in
Ramos was responsible for enforcing it; the handling situation
Constabulary arrested thousands of or problems that
political dissidents. In 1981 Ramos became our country is
deputy chief of staff of the armed forces. facing. Among of
… following the Japanese attack on Pearl all the elected
Harbor, Hawaii (December 1941), and the presidents, there
subsequent Japanese assault on the are discrete
Philippines, Laurel stayed in Manila; number of patriot
President Manuel Quezon had escaped, leaders of our
first to the Bataan Peninsula and then to the country and
United States. Laurel offered his services to because they exert
the Japanese, and, because of much effort and
his criticism of U.S. rule of the Philippines, more love to our
he held a series of high posts in 1942–43, country they made
climaxing in his selection as president in some innovative
1943. Twice in that year he was shot by steps for our
Philippine guerrillas, but each time he country to step up
recovered. In July 1946 he was charged into the next level
with dozens of counts of treason, but he of growing up.
never stood trial; he shared in a For a third world
general amnesty declared by country we can
President Manuel Roxas in April 1948. say that our
elected presidents
are unique and
quite different
with each other
but there is
nothing to
compare to them.
Popularity In 1998 Estrada ran for president, though In the old times
his candidacy faced significant opposition. people do not
Ramos, who was constitutionally barred think of the
from running for a second popularity as a
term, endorsed House Speaker José de factor of a good
Venecia, and many of the country’s leader,but during
powerful businessmen opposed our modern time
Estrada’s populist proposals. The Roman people think of
Catholic Church denied Estrada its support using other aspect
because he had admitted to having fathered for them to be an
four children by women other than his elected leader of
wife. However, he did have the support our country. I
of Imelda Marcos, the widow of former wonder why
president Ferdinand Marcos and then a people used to
member of Congress, and he enjoyed a choose the famous
devoted following among the country’s one rather than to
poor. Estrada managed to capture nearly 40 choose the leader
percent of the vote, handily defeating his with integrity and
nearest rival, de Venecia, who garnered can lead us to the
only 15.9 percent. The margin of victory path where we
was the largest in a free election in the used to trace many
history of the Philippines, and Estrada was years ago. These
officially declared president by Congress popular politicians
on May 29, 1998. are veterans in the
show business and
they entered
politics, if
leadership and
performing arts
are pretty diffirent
with each other
then why they
prefer politics
than
showbiz.There is a
reason why but I
never wanted to
know. Iam
frustrated when I
hear a famous
politician because
Iam so
embarassed the
way they look but
 I have no doubt in
their skills and
traits as a leader.It
is a big asset for
them to win the
election because
of their popularity
and they are well-
known by people.

Table 2 is the representation of the factors that became leaders’ strength in

elections and became the reason of victory to be the leader of the country.
Inheritance is one, they are known because of their family background and
legacy in such place.
Patriotism is a common reason why they are elected as president of the country.
People believe that patriot leaders can lead with greatness.
Popularity can be considered as one of the main reasons. They are really known
so they have the chance to be elected by those people who can vote.

Table 3. Type of Leadership strategies that they manifested during their term.
Strategies Evidence Impression
Dictatorship We know how this
While historians have branded ended the life of
many innocent
Ferdinand Marcos as a dictator, no people but this
one has disputed his intellectual leadership
brilliance. Many agree that Marcos strategy is
had a clear, long-term vision for the manifested just to
protect us from
Philippines, as exemplified by the the invaders that
Bagong Lipunan (New Society) wanted to enslave
Movement, a movement aimed at us. Though it has
promoting not just law and order, but a good agenda , it
also changing the culture of the became the
nightmare of
country. everyone that
While Marcos was also known for his time that
infrastructure projects, many do not F.Marcos
know that he is responsible for implemented
this.Maybe if this
building much of the government dictatorship is
 bureaucracy and filling it with good executed in a good
people, who have made many way it will make
our countrymen
agencies very stable and more disciplined
effective. Many government and it would have
employees were able to take post- many good effects
graduate studies, which were to society.
Nevertheless it
beneficial to the country. will bring us to
Two lessons in Marcos’ leadership our best state buy
style: Vision + Building the then it is already
infrastructure to support one’s written in our
leadership history that
Marcos'
dictatorship is not
a good idea.
People nowadays
aren't in favor of
what our
president is
planning to
manifest in
Mindanao.He
wants to
implement
Martial Law to
the said region to
protect our
Moslem
countrymen from
invaders but
Filipinos think
that it is not a
good idea because
of what they
experienced in
Marcos'
dictatorship.
Liberalization Fidel Ramos received the lowest This divided the
plurality for any elected president of people of the
Philippines but
the Philippines, winning less than we are still free
25% of the entire vote in from invaders
1992. Despite this, he has produced and
many results that he set to undertake, dictatorship.As a
Filipino we should
much of which are related to love our nation as
economic reform and we love ourselves,
liberalization. Despite the low it will bring us the
plurality, FVR’s strength was his bright future we
want many years
 ability to collaborate across party passed . We could
lines and build a strong coalition of bring back the
harmony we used
different political parties. to have in the past
Ramos was also able to rally the
nation under his vision of Philippines
2000, his goal of making the
Philippines a newly-industrialized
country by the end of the
20th century.

Servant leadership
The second Aquino to be President of
the Philippines prided himself in his
vision of “Daang Matuwid” (Straight
Path). Hence, President Noynoy
prided in an administration that is
free from corruption as much as
possible. He has also fought against
the abuse of privileges of many
leaders and public officials who
would use their positions for personal
gain, as exemplified by his no “wang-
wang” principle or policy.
Servant leadership seemed to be the
quality of P-Noy, who referred to the
public as his “boss,” and this guided
his stay in Malacañang. During his
presidency, different international
bodies upgraded the investment
ratings of the Philippines.
Many employees in the bureaucracy
have said that his leadership style of
integrity and being corruption-free
has influenced the culture of
government.
t
The table 3 shows the kinds of leadership strategies being manifested by the elected
presidents of our country.This implies how they ruled our country in their term of leading.

The only dictator that the Philippine has is Ferdinand E.Marcos manifested a new strategy of
leadership.He want to protect us from the invaders but it brought us into a nightmare that is unforgettable
to many.
 Liberalization is FVR's manifestation of leadership in our homeland. It divides the perspective
of many but still we have our freedom.

Servant Leadership is to innovate the manifested way of leading to the country. This make our
fellow countrymen to have the power and rights to our own country.

IV.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

An analysis of the biography of the elected presidents of the Philippines they

manifest their leadership through various ways.
They are also consistent well-educated and patriot leaders. They used to be
popular and patriot but it will never change the fact that as they rule the country they
are making changes.
Those particular changes whether good or bad , still they make an effort to bring
our country to where it used to be.
Although we are not a politician like them, we do not have a political science
degree or a son/daughter of a great politician we can be a leader. We can manifest
those traits for our own, to become more disciplined and to level up our love for our
country and for the sake of our fellow countrymen.

REFERENCES
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