History of the Philippines (1986–present)

Republic of the Philippines
Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa"
("For God, People, Nature, and Country")
Anthem: Lupang Hinirang
Chosen Land
Location of the Philippines - green ASEAN - gray
Location of the Philippines - green
ASEAN - gray
CapitalManila
14°35′N 120°58′E / 14.583°N 120.967°E / 14.583; 120.967
Official languages
Government Unitary Presidential constitutional republic
 •  President Corazon Aquino (first)
 •  President Benigno Aquino III (last)
Legislature Congress of the Philippines
 •  Upper house Senate
 •  Lower house House of Representatives
Establishment
 •  Current constitution 2 February 1987 (29 years) 
Currency Peso (Filipino: Piso) (Php)
ISO 3166 code PH

This article covers the history of the Philippines following the 1986 People Power Revolution until the presidential election in 2016 known as the Post-People Power era of the Philippines or the Aquino era.

Corazon Aquino administration (1986–1992)

Corazon Aquino, president from 1986–1992

With the People Power Revolution, Corazon Aquino's assumption into power marked the restoration of democracy in the country. Aquino immediately formed a revolutionary government to normalize the situation, and provided for a transitional "Freedom Constitution" that restored civil liberties and dismantled the heavily Marcos-ingrained bureaucracy— abolishing the Batasang Pambansa and relieving all public officials.[1] The Aquino administration likewise appointed a constitutional commission that submitted a new permanent constitution that was ratified and enacted in February 1987.[2] The constitution crippled presidential power to declare martial law, proposed the creation of autonomous regions in the Cordilleras and Muslim Mindanao, and restored the presidential form of government and the bicameral Congress.[3]

Progress was made in revitalizing democratic institutions and respect for civil liberties, but Aquino's administration was also viewed as weak and fractious, and a return to full political stability and economic development was hampered by several attempted coups staged by disaffected members of the Philippine military.[4] Aquino privatized many of the utilities the government owned, such as water and electricity. This practice was viewed by many as Aquino catering to oligarchic as well U.S. interests, losing the government's power of regulation.

Economic growth was additionally hampered by a series of natural disasters. In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo in Central Luzon erupted, after being dormant for 600 years. It was the 2nd largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. It left 700 dead and 200,000 homeless, and cooled global weather by 1.5 °C.[5]

On September 16, 1991, despite lobbying by President Aquino, the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty that would have allowed a 10-year extension of the U.S. military bases in the country. The United States turned over Clark Air Base in Pampanga to the government in November, and Subic Bay Naval Base in Zambales in December 1992, ending almost a century of U.S. military presence in the Philippines.

Ramos administration (1992–1998)

In the 1992 elections, Defense secretary Fidel V. Ramos (Lakas-NUCD), endorsed by Aquino, won by just 23.6% of the vote, over Miriam Defensor Santiago (PRP), Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. (NPC), House Speaker Ramon Mitra (LDP), former First Lady Imelda Marcos (KBL), Senate President Jovito Salonga (LP) and Vice President Salvador Laurel (NP).

Early in his administration, Ramos declared "national reconciliation" his highest priority. He legalized the Communist Party and created the National Unification Commission (NUC), chaired by lawyer Manuel C. Herrera, to lay the groundwork for talks with communist insurgents, Muslim separatists, and military rebels. In June 1994, Ramos signed into law a general conditional amnesty covering all rebel groups, and Philippine military and police personnel accused of crimes committed while fighting the insurgents. In October 1995, the government signed an agreement bringing the military insurgency to an end.

A standoff with China occurred in 1995, when the Chinese military built structures on Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands claimed by the Philippines as Kalayaan Islands.

Fidel Ramos, president from 1992-1998

Ramos was heavily criticized for passing an oil-deregulation law, thus inflating prices of gasoline products. Ramos was also criticized for alleged corruption in his handling of the Philippine Centennial Exposition and the PEA-AMARI land deal, in which Ramos allegedly received kickbacks amounting to millions of pesos.

A peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Nur Misuari, a major Muslim separatist group fighting for an independent Bangsamoro homeland in Mindanao, was signed in 1996, ending the 24-year-old struggle. However an MNLF splinter group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) under Salamat Hashim continued the armed Muslim struggle for an Islamic state.

The 1998 elections were won by former movie actor and Vice President Joseph Ejercito Estrada (PMP-LAMMP) with overwhelming mass support, with close to 11 million votes. The other ten candidates included his closest rival and administration candidate, House Speaker Jose De Venecia (Lakas-NUCD-UMDP) with 4.4 million votes, Senator Raul Roco (Aksyon Demokratiko), former Cebu governor Emilio Osmeña (PROMDI) and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim (LP).

Estrada administration (1998-2001)

Joseph Estrada, president from 1998-2001

Estrada assumed office amid the Asian Financial Crisis. The economy did, however, recover from it. From a low -0.6% growth in 1998 to a moderate growth of 3.4% by 1999.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Like his predecessor there was a similar attempt to change the 1987 constitution. The process is termed as CONCORD or Constitutional Correction for Development. Unlike Charter change under Ramos and Arroyo the CONCORD proposal, according to its proponents, would only amend the 'restrictive' economic provisions of the constitution that is considered as impeding the entry of more foreign investments in the Philippines. However it was not successful in amending the constitution.

On March 21, 2000 President Estrada declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after the worsening secessionist movement in Midanao[12][13] The government later captured 46 MILF camps including the MILF's headquarters', Camp Abubakar.[14][15][16]

In October 2000, Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit", Singson a close Estrada friend, accused the President of receiving collections from jueteng, an illegal numbers game.

On November 13, 2000, the House of Representatives impeached Estrada on grounds of bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution. His impeachment trial in the Senate began on December 7, but broke down on January 17, 2001, after 11 senators allied with Estrada successfully blocked the opening of confidential bank records that would have been used by the prosecution to incriminate the President. In response, millions of people massed up at the EDSA Shrine, where in 1986 the People Power Revolution had ousted Marcos, demanding Estrada's immediate resignation. Estrada's cabinet resigned en masse and the military and police withdrew their support. On January 20, the Supreme Court declared the presidency vacant and swore in Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the country's 14th President. Estrada and his family evacuated the Malacañan Palace soon after.

Nevertheless, Estrada himself before the Supreme Court on grounds that he did not resign, but just went on an indefinite leave. The Supreme Court upheld the legitimacy of Arroyo with finality on March 2, 2001.

Arroyo administration (2001-2010)

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, president from 2001-2010

Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (the daughter of the late President Diosdado Macapagal) was sworn in as Estrada's successor on the day of his departure. Estrada later challenged the legitimacy of Arroyo's government, claiming he did not resign from office, but the Supreme Court twice upheld Arroyo's legitimacy. After Estrada was arrested on corruption charges in April 2001, thousands of his supporters staged an "EDSA III" to overthrow the Arroyo government, but the attempt failed when the protest rallies degraded into violence. Arroyo's accession to power was further legitimated by the mid-term congressional and local elections held in May 2001, when her coalition won an overwhelming victory.[17]

Arroyo's initial term in office was marked by fractious coalition politics as well as a military mutiny in Manila in July 2003 that led her to declare a month-long nationwide state of rebellion.[17] Although she had declared in December 2002 that she would not contest the May 2004 presidential election, citing a need to heal divisiveness, she reversed herself in October 2003 and decided to run.[17] She was re-elected and sworn in for her own six-year term as president on June 30, 2004.

In 2005, a tape of a wiretapped conversation surfaced bearing the voice of Arroyo apparently asking an election official if her margin of victory can be maintained.[18] The tape sparked protests calling for Arroyo's resignation.[18] Arroyo admitted to inappropriately speaking to an election official, but denied allegations of fraud and refused to step down.[18] Attempts to impeach the president failed later that year.

Toward the end of her term, Arroyo spearheaded a controversial plan for an overhaul of the constitution to transform the present unitary and presidential republic with a bicameral legislature into a federal parliamentary government with a unicameral legislature.[19]

Benigno Aquino III Administration (2010-present)

Benigno Aquino III, President of the Philippines from 2010-Present.

Senator Benigno Aquino III, son of former President Corazon Aquino, won 15 million votes or less than 50% in the Philippine presidential elections, 2010.The presidential transition of Benigno Aquino III began when Aquino won the 2010 Philippine presidential election.[20] On June 9, 2010, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, in Quezon City, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino as the President-elect of the Philippines,[21] following the 2010 election with 15,208,678 votes,[20] while Jejomar Binay, the former mayor of Makati City, was proclaimed as the Vice President-elect of the Philippines with 14,645,574 votes,[22] defeating runner-up for the vice presidency Mar Roxas, the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for Vice President.

The transition was in charge of the new presidential residence, cabinet appointments and cordial meetings between them and the outgoing administration.

The presidential residence of Aquino is Bahay Pangarap (English: House of Dreams),[23] located inside of Malacañang Park,[24] at the headquarters of the Presidential Security Group across the Pasig River from Malacañan Palace.[23][25] Aquino is the first president to make Bahay Pangarap his official residence.[26][27] Malacañang Park was intended as a recreational retreat by former President Manuel L. Quezon.[27] The house was built and designed by architect Juan Arellano in the 1930s,[23][27] and underwent a number of renovations.[23] In 2008, the house was demolished and rebuilt in contemporary style by architect Conrad Onglao,[23][27] a new swimming pool was built, replacing the Commonwealth-era swimming pool.[26][27] The house originally had one bedroom,[23] however, the house was renovated for Aquino to have four bedrooms,[26] a guest room, a room for Aquino's household staff, and a room for Aquino's close-in security.[24] The house was originally intended as a rest house, the venue for informal activities and social functions for the First Family by former President Manuel L. Quezon.[23] Malacañang Park was refurbished through the efforts of First Lady Eva Macapagal, wife of former President Diosdado Macapagal, in the early 1960s.[27] First Lady Macapagal renamed the rest house as Bahay Pangarap.[27] During the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the house was restored and became the club house of the Malacañang Golf Club.[23] The house was used by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to welcome special guests.[23] Aquino refused to live in Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines, or in Arlegui Mansion, the residence of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos, stating that the two residences are too big,[23] and also stated that his small family residence at Times Street in Quezon City would be impractical, since it would be a security concern for his neighbors.[25]

On May 11, 2010, outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an administrative order, creating the Presidential Transition Cooperation Team.[28] Arroyo instructed outgoing Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza to lead the transition team.[28] The transition team was created "to ensure peaceful, orderly and [efficient] transition on the 30th of June".[28] On June 9, 2010, the transition team started informal meetings with the Aquino transition team.[29]

On June 16, 2010, Aquino organized his transition team in a letter to outgoing Presidential Management Staff Secretary Elena Bautista-Horn.[30] Aquino appointed the members of his transition team; defeated runner-up for the vice presidency Mar Roxas, incoming Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., former Secretary of Education Florencio Abad, former Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima, and Julia Abad, daughter of Florencio Abad and Aquino's chief of staff.[30]

Aquino named long-time friend, Paquito Ochoa, Jr., as Executive Secretary.[31][32] Aquino appointed Corazon Soliman as Secretary of Social Welfare & Development, a position she once held under the Arroyo administration but later resigned in 2005.[32]

On June 22, 2010, Leila de Lima, head of the Commission on Human Rights, accepted the offer to join the cabinet, however, she did not confirm or deny if she will become the new Secretary of Justice.[33] On July 2, 2010, De Lima took over the helm of the Department of Justice.

On June 23, 2010, Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay refused to accept any cabinet portfolio "so as not to burden" Aquino. Binay initially wanted to become Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, however, Aquino said that the post is not being considered for him.[34] Aquino has offered Binay various positions, such as, to head a commission that will investigate the outgoing Arroyo administration, the posts of Secretary of Agrarian Reform, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), but Binay has rejected all cabinet positions.[35] However, on July 15, 2010, Binay has accepted the offer of Aquino to take charge of the housing sector as chairman of HUDCC.[36]

On June 24, 2010, Br. Armin Luistro FSC, president of De La Salle University, accepted the post of Secretary of Education after meeting with the school's stakeholders.[37]

On June 27, 2010, Aquino reappointed incumbent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo.[38]

On June 29, 2010, Aquino officially named the members of his Cabinet, with Aquino himself as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.[31] Aquino also announced the formation of a truth commission that will investigate various issues including corruption allegations against outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to head the truth commission.[39]

The inauguration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III and Vice-President elect Jejomar Binay held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila on June 30, 2010.[40] The oath of office will be administered by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales, who officially accepted Aquino's request to swear him into office,[41] reminiscent of the decision of his mother, who in 1986, was sworn into the presidency by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee.[42] Aquino refused to allow Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Renato Corona to swear him into office, due to Aquino's opposition to the appointment of Corona by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.[43]

Aquino signed the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, commonly known as K–12 program in May 15, 2013 aiming to enhance the educational system in the country.[46]

On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck and heavily devastated the country, especially in the Visayas.[47][48] On April 28, 2014, when United States President Barack Obama visited the Philippines, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, was signed.[49][50][51] From January 15 to 19, 2015, Pope Francis stayed in the Philippines for a series of publicity tours and paid visits to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).[52][53] On January 25, 2015, 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force were killed after a clash took place in Mamasapano, Maguindanao putting efforts to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law into law in an impasse.[54][55] On December 20, 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach won the Miss Universe 2015.[56] January 12, 2016, the Philippine Supreme Court upheld the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement paving the way for the return of United States Armed Forces bases into the country.[57]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Agoncillo, Teodoro C. (1990) [1960]. History of the Filipino People (8th ed.). Quezon City: Garotech Publishing. p. 585. ISBN 971-8711-06-6.
  2. ↑ Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, p. 586
  3. ↑ "Background Notes: Philippines, November 1996". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
  4. ↑ "Then & Now: Corazon Aquino". CNN. Retrieved 2006-08-16.
  5. ↑ "Pinatubo - Eruption Features". National Geophysical Data Center. Retrieved 2006-08-23.
  6. ↑ Antonio C. Abaya, GMA’s successes, The Manila Standard, January 17, 2008
  7. ↑ Philippines' GDP grows 3.2 pc in 1999, GNP up 3.6 pc, Asian Economic News, January 31, 2000
  8. ↑ Philippines' GDP up 4.5% in 2nd qtr, Asian Economic News, September 4, 2000
  9. ↑ Governor Rafael Buenaventura, The Philippines: Sustaining Economic Growth Momentum In A Challenging Global Environment, Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas, 27 June 2008
  10. ↑ THE PHILIPPINES: CONSOLIDATING ECONOMIC GROWTH, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, March 13, 2000
  11. ↑ Asian Development Outlook 2001 : II. Economic Trends and Prospects in Developing Asia : Southeast Asia, Asian development Bank
  12. ↑ Speech of Former President Estrada on the GRP-MORO Conflict, Human development Network, September 18, 2008
  13. ↑ In the Spotlight: Moro Islamic Liberation Front, CDI Terrorism Project, February 15, 2002
  14. ↑ Speech of Former President Estrada on the GRP-MORO Conflict, Human development Network, September 18, 2008,
  15. ↑ Philippine Military Takes Moro Headquarters, People's Daily, July 10, 2000
  16. ↑ Mike Banos, AFP-MILF 2000 War in Mindanao Remembered, American Chronicle, April 13, 2006
  17. 1 2 3 "Country Profile: Philippines, March 2006" (PDF). U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006-08-22.
  18. 1 2 3 "Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Talkasia Transcript". CNN. Retrieved 2006-07-29.
  19. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2006-07-27). "People's support for Charter change 'nowhere to go but up'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
  20. 1 2 "Congress final tallies". newsinfo.inquirer.net. June 8, 2010. External link in |work= (help)
  21. ↑ "Aquino promises justice as Philippines president - Yahoo! News". Archived from the original on 2010-06-15.
  22. ↑ "Final tally: Binay leads Roxas by 700,000 votes". ABS-CBN News.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Bahay Pangarap: Aquino's future home?".
  24. 1 2 "How was PNoy’s first night at Bahay Pangarap?".
  25. 1 2 "Noynoy's new home is Bahay Pangarap".
  26. 1 2 3 "Bahay Pangarap for P-Noy ready".
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Briefer on Bahay Pangarap and Malacañang Park".
  28. 1 2 3 "Arroyo assures smooth transition".
  29. ↑ "Malacañang starts transition process with Noynoy camp".
  30. 1 2 "Aquino taps Roxas for transition team".
  31. 1 2 Ager, Maila (June 29, 2010). "Aquino names Cabinet, takes DILG helm". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  32. 1 2 "Aquino names long-time friend as executive secretary". newsinfo.inquirer.net. May 31, 2010. External link in |work= (help)
  33. ↑ "De Lima accepts offer to join Aquino Cabinet".
  34. ↑ Ager, Maila (June 23, 2010). "Binay meets Aquino, declines Cabinet post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Binay offered new office to probe Arroyo". ABS-CBN News. June 24, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  36. ↑ "VP Binay is new housing czar".
  37. ↑ Malipot, Ina-Hernando (June 24, 2010). "Luistro accepts DepEd post". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  38. ↑ Cabacungan, Gil, Jr. (June 27, 2010). "Aquino retains Romulo as foreign affairs chief". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Davide named Truth Commission chief - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos".
  40. ↑ Esguerra, Christian (June 11, 2010). "Transition team seeks Arroyo-Aquino limo ride". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Lady justice to administer Aquino oath - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos".
  42. ↑ "Trivia on Aquino and Binay". ABS-CBN News.
  43. ↑ "No Corona-tion for Noynoy". INQUIRER.net.
  44. ↑ "Obama, Clinton congratulate President-elect Aquino". abs-cbnNEWS.com. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  45. 1 2 Queen Elizabeth II, other foreign leaders hail Aquino (June 30, 2010), Manila Bulletin (archived from the original on 2012-06-29)
  46. ↑ "Aquino signs K-12 bill into law". Rappler. May 15, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  47. ↑ Typhoon Haiyan death toll rises over 5,000 (Report). BBC. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Tacloban: City at the centre of the storm". BBC. November 12, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Obama to stay overnight in PH". Rappler. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  50. ↑ "US, PH reach new defense deal". ABS-CBN News. April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Philippines, US sign defense pact". Agence France-Presse. ABS-CBN News. April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  52. ↑ Aquino, Leslie Ann (November 13, 2014). "Pope Francis's 2015 visit confirmed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  53. ↑ Alviola, Derek (January 10, 2015). "Palo archbishop checks papal Mass site preparations". Rappler. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  54. ↑ "At least 30 elite cops killed in clash with MILF". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  55. ↑ Arcon, Dennis (January 26, 2015). "PNP-SAF casualties in encounter now 50 - ARMM police chief". Interaksyon. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  56. ↑ Norwin, Alyssa (December 20, 2015). "Miss Universe 2015: Winner Officially Crowned After Wrong Contestant Named The Winner". Hollywood Life. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  57. ↑ Postrado, Leonard (January 13, 2016). "EDCA prevails". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 14, 2016.

External links

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