This document provides information on the different presidents of the Philippines from Emilio Aguinaldo's presidency of the First Republic in 1899 to Benigno Aquino III's presidency of the Fifth Republic. For each president, it outlines their term in office, the kind of government during their presidency, the president's strengths and weaknesses, and whether their presidency succeeded or failed. The document focuses on the different eras of Philippine government and the accomplishments and challenges of each president.

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P R E S I D E N T
E R A
K I N D
O F
G O V E R N M E N T
S T R E G H T S
W E A K N E S S E S
H O W I T
F A I L E D O R
S U C C E D E D?
Emilio Aguinaldo
(January 23, 1899-
April 1, 1901)
First Republic
(Malolos
Republic)
Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Strong will of giving
freedom to the
Philippines.
Did not have enough
resources to execute
all his plans for the
government.
President Emilio Aguinaldo
succeeded with his plan in
eradicating the Spaniards
with the help of the
Americans. Although he had
limited resources, he
managed to achieve his
goals with the help of the
Americans.
Manuel L. Quezon
(November 15, 1935
– August 1, 1944)
Commonwealth
(American Era)
Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
The proclamation of
our national language
increased the Filipino’s
sense of Nationalism.
Landless peasants in
the countryside.
He established the
Government Survey Board
to study the existing
institutions and in the light
of the changed
circumstances, make the
necessary recommendations.
Jose P. Laurel
(October 14, 1943 –
August 14, 1945)(de
facto)
Second Republic
(Japanese
Occupation)
Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
A sizable portion of the
population
actively resistedhis
presidency, supporting
the
exiled Commonwealth
government.
Faced a crippling
food shortage which
demanded much of
Laurel's attention.
Due to the nature of
Laurel's government, and its
connection to Japan, a
sizable portion of the
population
actively resistedhis
presidency, supporting the
exiled Commonwealth
government; which is not to
say that his government did
not have forces against that
resistance.
Sergio Osmeña
(August 1, 1944 –
May 28, 1946)
Commonwealth
(Restored)
Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Restoration of the
Commonwealth
Serious crisis
Osmeña restored the
Commonwealth government
and the various executive

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departments. He continued
the fight for Philippine
independence.
Manuel Acuna Roxas
(May 28, 1946 –
April 15, 1948)
Third Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Reconstruction of the
post-war Philippines
fell into the hands of
Manuel Roxas.
Production of rice,
sugar, coconuts,
abaca, coconut oil,
cigars, tobacco, gold
and chrome, and
manganese and
lumber was put to a
halt because of the
destruction of
manufacturing
facilities.
He succeded with the
ratification of the Bell Trade
Act; the inclusion of the
Parity Amendment in the
Constitution; and the
signing of the 1947 Military
Bases, and improvement of
the ruined economy.
Elpidio Rivera
Quirino
(November 16, 1890
– February 29, 1956)
Third Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Notable postwar
reconstruction, general
economic gains, and
increased economic aid
from the United State.
Tolerating rampant
graft and corruption
in his party,
permitting
immorality in the
armed forces, and
neglecting the
impoverished plight
of the majority of
Filipinos.
He was a corrupt president
and he was also closely tied
with the American
government.
Ramon del Fierro
Magsaysay
(August 31, 1907 -
March 17, 1957)
Third Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Agrarian
Reform
Impending projects,
lack of enough funds,
graft and corruption
Connected and represented
the common man being a
president with a
sympathetic heart to the
masses
Carlos Polistico
Garcia
(November 4, 1896 –
June 14, 1971)
Third Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
economic independence
from foreign interest
Graft and corruption,
lack of treasury
funds, huge national
debt and impending
projects.
He helped the Philippines
rise from being a victim of
war to a self-sustaining
country that was considered
one of the richest countries
during his time.
Diosdado Pangan
Macapagal
Third Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Socio-economic aspect
of society
Lack of treasury
funds, a number his
He failed to solve major

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(September 28, 1910
– April 21, 1997)
reforms were blocked
by the Nacionalista
dominated Senate
and House of
Representatives.
social and economical
problems.
Ferdinand Emmanuel
Edralin Marcos
(September 11, 1917 –
September 28,1989)
Martial Law Infrastructure, economy
and the agriculture
industry.
Unemployment,
estabilized economy,
rampant corruption
and abuse of
authority and power
Marcos aimed to establish
the Philippines in the
foreign context.
Maria Corazon
"Cory" Sumulong
Cojuangco Aquino
(January 25, 1933 –
August 1, 2009)
Forth Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Reformation of the
constitution putting
more emphasis on
human rights and civil
liberties.
Focused on ensuring
democracy to the
people.
She wasn’t really able to
solve the country’s problems
by implementing all that she
promised because she was
constantly distracted by
coups that threatened the
country and her
administration. She focused
a lot on disaster
management but it was
necessary for her to keep
the peace.
Fidel Valdez Ramos
Fifth Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Economic boom,
technological
development, political
stability and efficient
delivery of basic needs
to the people.
High crime rate
One of the most orderly and
productive presidencies in
the Philippines. He pulled
people to be more
nationalistic through his
Philippines 2000 campaign
and he was able to establish
foreign relations with many
countries that in turn made
the country rich because of
the Philippine market

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opening to foreign
businesses.
Joseph Ejercito
Estrada
Fifth Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
“Erap para sa Mahirap
Project”
Corruption charges
and impeachment;
allegations of
corruption spawned
an impeachment trial
in the Senate, and in
2001 Estrada was
ousted from power
after the trial was
aborted.
Although he was charged of
plunder, was labeled at
Jueteng Payola and labeled
as a womanizer, he still
made some acts to which it
had a good effect on the
country.
Maria Gloria
Macapagal – Arroyo
Fifth Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
“10-point agenda” plunder and
corruption.
President Arroyo’s failure to
improve the economy and
her government is
considered as one things
that pulled her down.
Benigno Simeon
Cojuangco Aquino III
Fifth Republic Parliamentary and
Constitutional Republic
Bring back honesty as
guiding principle into
the actions and
decisions of this office,
hope that the
lawlessness, high levels
of violence, corruption,
human rights violations
and impunity would
finally find an end;
hope that the hardened
poverty of more than
25% of the fast
Trust in just a few
people.

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growing population
would finally be
reduced.