Achievements of Philippine Presidents

Since independence in 1898 and the ratification of the Philippine Constitution in the First Republic, there have been 15 presidents. Starting with General Emilio Aguinaldo all the way to current president Benigno Aquino, this article details each president's particular contributions and achievements while in office.

1. Emilio Aguinaldo 1899-1901

One way to remember the first president of the Philippines First Republic is to look at the five peso coin. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's face used to grace the five peso bill (which is not used anymore). The back of the bill shows him holding the Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.

Contributions and Achievements:

• first (and only) president of the First Republic (Malolo Republic)

• signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, creating a truce between the Spanish and Philippine revolutionaries
• known as the President of the Revolutionary Government
• led the Philippines in the Spanish-Philippine War and the American-Philippine War
• youngest president, taking office at age 28

• longest-lived president, passing away at 94

2. Manuel L. Quezon, 1935-1944

After 34 years of Insular Government under American rule, Philippine voters elected Manuel Luis Quezon first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. He is known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa). He died of tuberculosis in Saranac Lake, New York.

Contributions and Achievements:

• first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines

• first president elected through a national election

• first president under the Commonwealth

• created National Council of Education

• initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth

• approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language of the Philippines

• appears on the twenty-peso bill

• a province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila are named after him

• his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

3. José P. Laurel, 1943-1945

José P. Laurel's presidency is controversial. He was officially the government's caretaker during the Japanese occupation of World War II. Criticized as a traitor by some, his indictment for treason was superseded later by an amnesty proclamation in 1948.

Contributions and Achievements:

• since the early 1960s, Laurel considered a legitimate president of the Philippines

• organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas, or Association for Service to the New Philippines), a provisional government during Japanese occupation

• declared Martial Law and war between the Philippines and the U.S./United Kingdom in 1944

• with his family, established the Lyceum of the Philippines

4. Sergio Osmeña, 1944-1946

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth. During his presidency, the Philippines joined the International Monetary Fund.

Contributions and Achievements:

• became president at 65, making him the oldest person to hold office

• first Visayan to become president

• joined with U.S. Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 to begin restoration of Philippine freedom after Japanese occupation

• Philippine National Bank was rehabilitated and the country joined the International Monetary Fund during his presidency

• Bell Trade Act was approved by the U.S. Congress during his presidency

• appears on the 50-peso bill

5. Manuel Roxas, 1946-1948

Manuel Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines: the third (and last) president under the Commonwealth, and the first president of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He held office for only one year, 10 months, and 18 days.

Contributions and Achievements:

• inaugurated as the first president of the new Republic after World War II

• reconstruction from war damage and life without foreign rule began during his presidency

• under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by Congress

• appears on the 100-peso bill

6. Elpidio Quirino, 1948-1953

Elpidio Quirino served as vice president under Manuel Roxas. When Roxas died in 1948, Quirino became president.

Contributions and Achievements:

• Hukbalahap guerrilla movement active during his presidency

• created Social Security Commission

• created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption

• Quezon City became capital of the Philippines in 1948 READ MORE

SOURCE: http://hubpages.com/politics/Presidents-of-the-Philippines-and-their-Achievements-and-Contributions

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