FINAL EXAM

IV. National Issues

National issues within Aguinaldo's presidency revolve in the Filipino-American war. Filipino army is not considered a real army because they lack qualities and proper training. On the first phase of the war, the Filipino outnumbered the Americans but our arms don't have enough ammunition, funds and military supplies which resulted in defeat. Famine and illness due to war is also spreading in the country.

Regaining independence is tough battle Filipino face and with Quezon it became possible. He fought for Philippines to be self-governed, prepared us to be independent from America and later on lead our country to its full independent government. He tried to solve problems inherited from Spanish and Americans Administrations, fought graft and corruption in the country, build up the national defense and strengthen economy that is dependent on the U.S.

Filipino pays attention on choosing the mother tongue and because of this the Institute of Nat'l Language was created, he was known as "Ama ng Wikang Pambansa".

Filipino people were torn in half whether he's a hero or a traitor; others think that he was ready to obey the orders of the Japanese Army for the "maintenance of peace and order and the promotion of well-being of our people" on the contrast the idea that he did not make any negative actions against the Japanese Government when they occupied the Philippines.

Food Shortage; during his presidency, the Philippines faced a crippling food shortage which demanded much of Laurel's attention.

Death of former president Manuel L. Quezon; Osmeña praise him and his doings in one of his inauguration speech.

Although Roxas was successful in obtaining rehabilitation funds from America to repair what has been destroyed in the Philippines, he was still criticized for his approval to the Bell Trade Act. Graft and corruption did not stop in the government.

Quirino's administration was bombarded with controversies. The major controversy surrounding his governance was his bid for a second term in office in 1949. The elections wherein Quirino won was believed to be the most corrupt. He was also the first president to undergo an impeachment trial because he allegedly purchased a very expensive Golden Orinola using government money. Issues within the government make people despise Quirino.

Corruption among cabinet members and the endless attempts to bribe the president were the most common issues of that time where corruptions was very rampant among government officials and President Magsaysay was among the very few who resisted and had zero tolerance against corruption.

Corruption was also widespread in the country since he had just inherited the Magsaysay administration. Several cases of corruption were found within the government offices during his administration.

The Stonehill Scandal involving numerous congressmen and businessmen accused for graft and corruption within the government though several programs passed.

Aquino was not safe from the controversies that eventually centered on Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare estate located in the Province of Tarlac, which she inherited from her family. She was recorded for allowing Hacienda Luisita, which was now owned by the Tarlac Development Corporation, to opt for stock distribution, instead of land redistribution. She also has an issue concerning the farmers of Mendiola being massacred.

A series of natural disasters hit the country such as the 1990 earthquake, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, and a series of Typhoons. Power Shortage is very evident in her term; brownouts were very frequent and would last for about 12 hours.

Similar to the past government, the Philippines was experiencing widespread and frequent brownouts because of the huge demand for electricity and the old and depreciated power plants. Power crisis remained unsolved before a new administration enters.

Hello "Garci" Controversy (June 2005) about Arroyo's conversations with COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano. The conversation was about cheating the 2004 national elections. In the conversation she asked if she would win by a million votes and Garci replied that she will coincidentally or suspiciously she did win by over a million votes in the 2004 presidential elections.

US bases: Aquino's gift to Obama. During the much-awaited visit of US President Barack Obama, Philippine President BS Aquino will be serving nothing less than our national sovereignty and dignity on a silver platter via the new "access agreement" negotiated in secret by the two governments.

Mistaking demand-pull inflation for cost-push inflation cause sudden inflation for prices of certain products of which the most popular is the garlic.

V. Transnational Issues

Citizens look unto the Americans as their hero from the Spanish people, but in reality the country did not gain a hero in Americans but a new conqueror.

Upon the Commonwealth Act No.1 America seems threaten because they held back weapons and showed lack of support for the defense plan. Still, Quezon aims for amity and friendship, fairness and square deals in the country's relations with other nations, their citizens and subjects.

Mickey Mouse money enforced by the Japanese Army it has very low value caused by severe inflation. Inflation plagued the country with the devaluation of the Japanese money, evidenced by a 60% inflation experienced in January 1944.

The Bell Trade Act is very controversial that it took two terms before the issue settled down. This is where the public hears the Act, spreads it, until eventually the issue is in every corner of the country.

World War II paralyzed the whole country; its effect is excessive that $ 800 million is needed for the recovery of the Philippines. However, the president managed to find a resource for this amount. April 17, 1948-December 30, 1949(succeeded) Second term: December 30,1949-December 30, 1953

Philippines is not ideal for business in this time, it is evident that Americans were gradually decreasing their business. This causes unemployment rates to go higher together with other national problems the country's economy is weakened.

The

The focus of the Garcia administration is on the economic independence from foreign interest. Garcia was criticized by foreign countries, especially the United States for his anti-foreign policies.

On September 12, 1962, during President Diosdado Macapagal's administration, the territory of eastern North Borneo (now Sabah), and the full sovereignty, title and dominion over the territory were ceded by the then reigning Sultan of Sulu, HM Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram I, to the Republic of the Philippines. The cession effectively gave the Philippine government the full authority to pursue their claim in international courts. December 30, 1965-February 25, 1986 Era

The Marcoses established good relations with world leaders, therefore bringing the Philippines' image to higher grounds. Foreign relations brought foreign investments in and made the economy boom. Because of the developments (economically, industrially, and infrastructures) Marcos accomplished; there was a massive increase in tourism rates. During this time, the ratio of the peso to a dollar is 1:1. However, the economy declined during his second term and the prices of the market increased.

uprisings during the Aquino administration. This lead to a damaged government;

Politics were shaken and people started to lose their trust in the government.

Because of the Coup attempts, foreign investors felt it was risky for them to invest in the Philippines, thus, economy isn't progressing. The lack of foreign investors during the past administration is still present up to Fidel's term; it is still a major economic issue that needs to be solved.

President Erap managed to attract foreigners and make the country's tourism bloom yet as the issues of plunder and other corrupt acts of his government arise tourism seemed to be going down at a great rate.

Iraq War; Philippines sent a small humanitarian contingent which included medics and engineers. These troops were recalled in July 2004 in response to the kidnapping of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz. With the hostage takers demands met, the hostage was released. The early pullout drew international condemnation, with the United States protesting against the action, saying giving in to terrorist demands should not be an option. Following the death and funeral of Aquino's mother, former President Corazon Aquino, many people began calling on Aquino to run for President of the Philippines.

This groundswell of support became known as the "Noynoy Phenomenon".

Eight members of the Philippine Coast Guard have been charged with the murder of a Taiwanese fisherman who was shot dead. The killing sparked angry protests in Taiwan and Taipei responded with sanctions, but lifted them after the Philippine government issued an official apology.

The Spratly Islands dispute is a territorial dispute over the ownership of the Spratly Islands, a group of islands located in the South China Sea. The Spratly

Islands are important for a number of reasons: the Spratly area holds potentially significant, but largely unexplored, reserves of oil and natural gas; it is a productive area for world fishing; it is one of the busiest areas of commercial shipping traffic; and surrounding countries would get an extended continental shelf if their claims were recognized.

I. Politics (Administration)

Manuel Quezons' Commonwealth administration is a presidential system of government with unicameral legislature. Filipinos reelected Quezon, Osmeña, and legislators to fill seats in the newly created bicameral congress on November 11,

Jose P. Laurel's administration is also known as the "Puppet Republic". Laurel was among the Commonwealth officials instructed by the Japanese Imperial Army to form a fake government when they invaded and occupied the country. He willingly served under the Japanese Military Administration.

Prior to the Philippine national elections of 1946, at the height of the last First term: May 28, 1946-July 4, 1946Second term: July 4, 1946

Elpidio Quirino's six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States. Basic social problems, however, particularly in the rural areas, remained unsolved, and his administration was tainted by widespread graft and corruption.

Ramon Magsaysay was dubbed as "the guy" because many considered him as the president who really connected and represented the common man being a president with a sympathetic heart to the masses. He even opened Malacañang to the public.

In his earlier term, good governance was present. However, upon entry of his wife, Imelda, corruption started to surface. He declared martial law which started a disordered nation under his dictatorship and tyranny.

Corazon Aquino's administration from the people power revolves on giving people democracy and freedom that they sought for during the 2 nd term of Marcos.

The

Manuel L. Quezon

First term: November 15, 1935-December 30, 1941Second term: December 30, 1941-August 1, 1944 Manila, Philippines (1935-1942 Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C., U.S. A. (1942-1944)

Vice-President

Sergio Osmeña (November 15, 1935-December 30, 1941December 30, 1941-August 1, 1944

Fernando Lopez (December 30, 1965-December 30, 1969-1972 Prime Minister

Ferdinand E. Marcos (concurrent capacity as President) (June 12, 1978-June 30, 1981 Cesar E.A. Virata (June 30, 1981-February 25, 1986 Chief Justice

Ramon C. Aquino (November 20, 1985-March 6, 1986 Felix V. Makasiar (July 25, 1985-November 19, 1985 Enrique M. Fernando (July 2, 1979-July 24, 1985 Querube C. Makalintal (October 1973-December 1975; Cesar Bengzon (April 28, 1961-May 29, 1966

III. Programs (Reforms)

Commonwealth Act No. 1, President Manuel L. Quezon asks for General

McArthur service to devise an effective yet affordable National Defense Plan for the Philippines. This defense plan was later abolished because 16 Million is not sufficient enough to fund the act. A compulsory military training for men age 20 in a period of 5 ½ months and pre-military training in high school was enforced. Quezon also push the standardization of ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) programs in colleges and universities.

In response to social imbalance and land maldistribution; National Economic Council as an adviser and Social Justice Program that bought lands and distribute it to farmers and landless Filipinos. Law also requires a written agreement between farmers, tenants and landlords to protect citizens from an unfair rent increase.

Jose P. Laurel October 14, 1943-August 17, 1945 He formulated the 1943 constitution; a temporary constitution expected to last until the end of war, this established a republican government with a strong executive that states the duties and obligations of the people rather than their rights and privileges.

Laurel issued an executive order organizing the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI) as the sole political organization to back the government.

The First Commonwealth Congress earnestly took up the various pending assignments to solve the pressing matters affecting the Philippines, especially in regard to relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The first bill enacted was

The Laurel granted a General Amnesty to the guerrillas imprisoned during World

War II and to those arrested for conspiring with Japan.

He establish PACSA (President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration),

Started to resolve problems on land distribution through Land Reform Act of 1955 which gave emphasis on the welfare of the poor farmers who desired to own agricultural land. He also establish the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Act (NARRA) to give land to some famers and the FACOMA (Farmers' Cooperative and Marketing Association) to organize the farmers.

Filipino First Policy, law that was passed by the Garcia administration, to give local businessmen more priority over foreign investors. Products of Filipino businessmen were also preferred over foreign products. The Austerity Program was implemented by Garcia in order to curt the rampant graft and corruption within the country. The program centered on wise spending, industry, thrift, trustworthiness, integrity and honesty.

The Garcia administration also put emphasis on cultural revival, due to the colonization of many countries he felt that the revival of the Filipino culture was needed. The award was given to Filipino artists, scientist, historians and writers.

Bohlen-Serrano Agreement passed during his term, was a law that shortened the original 99 year lease of US bases here in the Philippines to 25 years; the agreement was renewable for periods only up to 5 years.

The following programs were created during his administration; opened Malacanang to the Public however it didn't last long because people started to only loft around, dismissed corruption in the government when the official couldn't justify his sudden acquisition of wealth, changed the date of the Philippine Independence from June 12 to July 4, Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963 which abolished share tendency on rice and corn farmlands and establishment of a leasehold system where farmers would pay rentals to landlords instead of harvests.

Martial Law was declared by Marcos to suppress the increasing civil discord and the threats of communist conquest. The declaration was initially granted by some however this violates the people and the masses human rights because of the abuses by the military.

In his administration, the Philippines became a member of the ASEAN. It was in his term when the Decentralization Act; an act that permits the local government heads to appoint office heads is passed. He also had programs for diplomatic relations with communists and socialist states. Unemployment is also a great problem due to the country's weakened economy.

Cory Aquino pushed for the restoration of democracy through abolishing the legislature, declaring a revolutionary government and writing a new constitution (1987 Constitution). Proclamation no. 1, a call to all appointive public officials to submit their courtesy resignations and appointing Cabinet ministers and task forces to help her run the government. Proclamation No. 3 proclaims her government a "revolutionary government." and circulates a provisional "Freedom Constitution," which gives legislative more power than her.

United States trading in the First Philippine Fund Incorporated where she urged American business to increase its investments in the Philippines.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law an act which aims to promote social justice and industrialization. A fund provided for CARP; a special fund known as the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), with an initial amount of Php50 billion to cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992.

Court of Industrial Relations was established for the creation of Agricultural and

Industrial Bank, National Land Settlement Administration and National Housing Commission to provide housing, National Relief Administration for calamities and for finding employment to the unemployed.

Institute of National Language was established for studying the issue of choosing the country's mother tongue; National Council of Education to guide the education policies, adult education program, for vocational schools, also in charge of the Education Act of 1940. He also makes Pilipino the national language.

Era

Third

Thirteenth President of the Philippines Third President of the Fifth Republic Constitution 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines Predecessor

Fidel V. Ramos Successor Estrada's Clean Air Act is a great act for loving our environment none the less, it focused only on the air quality management. If Erap implemented a law that focused on the environment as a whole and not just the air management, he could be a president who is really concerned about the status of our natural resources.

II. Economics

During Laurel's term as President, hunger was the main problem. Prices of essential supplies rose. The government exerted every effort to increase production and bring consumers' goods under control. However, the greediness of the Japanese prevails.

The Philippines in Quirino's term is still undergoing reconstruction of the damages from the war. Economy is not in great shape. Unemployment from the previous government is one of the main problem his administration faces. The country is struggling a high inflation rate and Quirino's solution to this is to increase the wages of the people so that purchasing and producing will be balanced.

Rehabilitation of establishments ruined because of World War is still ongoing but there is a lack on fund to support this. December 30, 1953-March 17, 1957 Era

Recovering from the World War II is almost finished yet the country is experiencing several economic challenges. The flow of imports had greatly increased making the Philippines heavily dependent of imported products. Imports coming from the United States were also allowed to enter the country without tariffs, the Philippines also promised not to change its exchange rate from $1 is to Php2.

Exchange controls were lifted and the Philippine peso was allowed to float on the free currency exchange market. The peso devalued from P2.64 to the U.S. dollar, and stabilized at P3.80 to the dollar, supported by a $300 million stabilization fund from the International Monetary Fund.

To help finance a number of economic development projects, the Marcos government borrowed large amounts of money from international lenders.

The Philippines' external debt rose from $360 million (US) in 1962 to $28.3 billion in 1986, making the Philippines one of the most indebted countries in Asia.

There is a $26 billion foreign debt incurred by her predecessor, which has badly stained the international credit standing and economic reputation of the country. February 25, 1986-June 30, 1992 Era

The Philippines was recovering from economical difficulties that arose from the lack of foreign investors during the Aquino administration. During the Ramos administration however, the Philippines experience economic growth and stability.

Though the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 struck, the Philippines wasn't as badly affected as other Asian Nations. But it was during this crisis when the Philippine Peso devaluated and dropped because of a financial shortage.

The Philippines came close to a financial meltdown in 2001 during the impeachment of Former President Estrada. The revenues were too low, with its $54.8 billion in foreign debt. Investors doubted to invest in the Philippines at that time due to the political crisis the country was experiencing.

Sergio Osmeña

(succeeded) August 1, 1944-May 28, 1946

Manuel Roxas

Speaker of the House

Eugenio Perez (May 25, 1946-July 4, 1946July 5, 1946-December 30, 1949 Since the country was severely damaged by the war, the economy was struggling because of low output growth and high unemployment rates. Production became low because farms and factories were ruined. Unemployment rates were rising at a fast pace; because businesses were closing, there were no more jobs available for people. The reconstruction cost of these buildings reached 126 million pesos. Also, there was an annual lack of budget of about 200 million pesos.

Daniel Z. Romualdez (January 22, 1962-March 9, 1962 Cornelio T. Villareal (March 9, 1962-December 30, 1965 In the 1961 presidential election, Macapagal ran against Garcia's re-election bid, promising an end to corruption and appealing to the electorate as a common man from humble beginnings. He defeated the incumbent president with a 55% to 45% margin. His inauguration as the president of the Philippines took place on December 30, 1961.

Ramon V. Mitra Jr. (July 27, 1987-June 30, 1992

Scandals such as the surplus war property scandal, school supplies scandal and

Chinese immigration scandals appeared during his time.

People were infuriated at Roxas to the point that there were plans of assassinating him. Fortunately for the former president, he escaped an attempted murder by a Tondo barber, Julio Guillen, who threw a grenade on the platform at Plaza Miranda after the President addressed the rally of citizens.

Era Sixth President of the Philippines Second President of the Third Republic Constitution

Amended 1935

ACCFA (Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing Administration), Labor

Management Advisory Board, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines to fix the economy of his administration. He also set up the Central Bank and Rural banking.

His second objective was to restore the faith and confidence of the people in the government body of the Philippines. To do this, he revived former president Quezon's "fireside chats" which updated the people about the government via live radio broadcast from the Malacanang palace.

He also concluded peace with Japan and granted amnesty to HUKBALAHAP members on June 21, 1948. In his efforts he achieved many of his goals including; industrial ventures heightened, irrigation improved, and the road system developed.

Ramon Magsaysay

I. Politics (Administration) Carlos P. Garcia

First term: March 18, 1957-December 30, 1957

Ferdinand E. Marcos

Capital

Quezon City (1965)(1966)(1967)(1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978) City of Manila (1978Manila ( -1986

Senate President

Gil Puyat (January 26, 1967-September 23, 1972 Arturo M. Tolentino (January 17, 1966-January 26, 1967

Jovito Salonga (July 27, 1987-January 1, 1992) Neptali Gonzales (January 1, 1992-June 30, 1992)

Speaker of the National Assembly

Nicanor E. Yñiguez (July 23, 1984-March 25, 1986 Querube C. Makalintal (June 12, 1978-June 30, 1984 Speaker of the House

Corazon C. Aquino

Restoring Political Stability and Building New

NBN-ZTE Controversy (April 2007) is about a deal between the