Philippine Presidents: 1986-2022

• Outlined below are the presidential terms in the Philippines from 1986-2022.

Corazon Aquino (1986–1992)

• Assumed office after the People Power Revolution which ousted Ferdinand Marcos, restoring democracy.
• Faced the challenge of rebuilding the democratic system after nearly 20 years of authoritarian rule.
• Achievements include dismantling the authoritarian regime and reestablishing democratic institutions.
• Oversaw the drafting of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which emphasized human rights, democracy, and decentralization of power.
• Worked to stabilize the country economically, privatizing state-owned companies and managing debt.
• Faced frequent coup attempts by military factions and instability due to various insurgencies.
• Struggled with economic crises, including power shortages and inflation.

Fidel V. Ramos (1992–1998)

• Former military leader who became president after Aquino and was seen as a stabilizing figure in the post-Marcos era.
• Experienced strong economic performance, including GDP growth and foreign investments.
• Negotiated peace agreements with various insurgent groups, including the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
• Focused on modernizing infrastructure, particularly in telecommunications, energy, and transportation.
• Faced challenges from rival political factions.
• Economic inequalities persisted despite growth.

Joseph Estrada (1998–2001)

• Former movie star who became president and whose term was marked by populism and controversies surrounding corruption.
• Focused on addressing poverty with social programs, including the creation of the Edukasyong Pantawid for education.
• Initiated some infrastructure projects aimed at modernizing public facilities.
• Accused of corruption, particularly involving illegal gambling, which led to his impeachment.
• Administration faced a worsening fiscal deficit and economic slowdown.
• Ousted through a second People Power movement in 2001, following his impeachment and subsequent removal from office by the Senate.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001–2010)

• Became president after Estrada’s ouster and was the second woman to hold the presidency and had previously served as vice president under Estrada.
• Administration is credited with significant economic stability and growth, particularly during her second term.
• Pushed through tax reforms and modernized the economy, with positive growth rates and better fiscal management.
• Focused on improving infrastructure and increasing trade relations, particularly with China and the United States.
• Faced several corruption cases, although she was never convicted, with scandals such as the NBN-ZTE deal and allegations of election fraud.
• Faced numerous protests and calls for her resignation, especially regarding the Hello Garci scandal, which alleged electoral fraud in the 2004 election.

Benigno Aquino III (2010–2016)

• Son of former president Corazon Aquino, whose presidency was seen as a continuation of her legacy.
• Focused on transparency and fighting corruption, highlighted by the conviction of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former chief justice Renato Corona for corruption.
• Experienced strong economic growth, improved credit ratings, and an increase in foreign investment.
• Pursued legal action against China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, leading to a historic victory in the 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated China's claims.
• Government faced challenges from natural disasters, particularly Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which resulted in significant loss of life and destruction.
• Handling of the South China Sea dispute was met with mixed reactions, and tensions with China remained high.

Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022)

• Former mayor of Davao City who won the presidency on a platform of fighting crime, drugs, and corruption.
• Launched a campaign against illegal drugs, which led to thousands of deaths and drew widespread international criticism, but maintained high domestic approval ratings due to his tough stance on crime.
• Invested heavily in infrastructure projects through the Build, Build, Build program, such as roads, bridges, and railways, aimed at boosting the economy.
• Pursued a foreign policy pivot, strengthening ties with China and distancing the Philippines from traditional allies like the United States.
• Pursued a pragmatic approach in dealing with China over the South China Sea.
• The war on drugs led to allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations, which attracted international condemnation and scrutiny.
• Leadership was tested by the global pandemic, which led to lockdowns, economic shutdowns, and widespread health challenges.
• Polarizing rhetoric and actions led to significant public debate, with strong supporters and equally vocal critics.