The 15 Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines

The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898 after 333 years ofSpanish
colonization. Since the declaration of Philippine Independence, the country had already produced 15 presidents.
Here are the 15 Philippine presidents from 1898 to present.

1.) Emilio F. Aguinaldo

First Philippine President
Term of Office: March 22, 1897 April 1, 1901
Complete name: Emilio Famy Aguinaldo
Nickname: Miong
Birthplace: Kawit, Cavite
Born: March 22, 1869
Died: February 6, 1964
Resting place: Aguinaldo Shrine
Spouse(s): Hilaria Del Rosario, Maria Agoncillo
Occupation(s): Soldier, Manager, Teacher
School Attended: Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of coronary thrombosis
Children: Miguel, Carmen, Emilio Jr., Mara and Cristina

2.) Manuel Luis M. Quezon

2nd President of the Philippines
1st President of the Philippine Commonwealth
Term of office: August 29, 1916 November 15, 1935
Complete name: Manuel Luis Molina Quezon
Birthplace: Baler, Aurora
Born: August 19, 1878
Died: August 1, 1944
Resting place: Quezon City Memorial Circle
Spouse(s): Aurora Aragon
Occupation: Clerk, Surveyor, Fiscal, Councilor, Governor, Politician, Soldier, Lawyer
School Attended: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of Tuberculosis
Children: Mara Aurora "Baby", Mara Zeneida "Nini", Luisa Corazn Paz "Nenita" and Manuel L. "Nonong"
Quezn, Jr.

3.) Jose P. Laurel

3rd President of the Philippines
Term of office: October 14, 1943 August 17, 1945
Complete name: Jose Paciano Garcia Laurel
Birthplace: Tanauan City, Batangas
Born: March 9, 1891
Died: November 6, 1959
Resting place: Tanauan City
Spouse(s): Pacencia Hidalgo
Occupation: Messenger, Clerk, Lawyer
School attended: University of the Philippines College of Law, University of Santo Tomas, and Yale University
(USA)
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of massive heart attack and a stroke
Children: Jose Bayani Jr. Pepito, Jose Sotero III Pepe, Natividad Nene, Sotero Cosme Teroy, Mariano
Antonio Maning, Rosenda Pacencia Rose, Salvador Roman Doy, Arsenio Dodjie

4.) Sergio Osmea

4th President of the Philippines
Term of office: 1 August 1944 28 May 1946
Complete name: Sergio Suico Osmea
Birthplace: Cebu City
Born: September 9, 1878
Died: October 19, 1961
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s): Estefania Veloso (19011918), Esperanza Limjap (19201961)
Occupation: Courier, Journalist, Lawyer
School attended: University of San Carlos, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of liver failure and breast cancer
Children: Nicasio, Vicenta, Edilderto, Milagros, Emilio, Maria Paloma, Jesus, Teodoro, Jos, and Sergio Jr.

5.) Manuel A. Roxas

5th President of the Philippines
Term of office: May 28, 1946 April 15, 1948
Complete name: Manuel Acua Roxas
Birthplace: Capiz
Born: January 1, 1892
Died: April 15, 1948
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s): Trinidad De Leon
Occupation: Lawyer
School attended: Saint Josephs Academy (Hong Kong), Manila High School (Araullo High School), University
of Manila, University of the Philippines College of law
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of myocardial infarction
Children: Ma. Rosario "Ruby and Gerardo Gerry

6.) Elpidio P. Quirino

6th President of the Philippines
Term of office: April 17, 1948 December 30, 1953
Complete name: Elpidio Rivera Quirino
Birthplace: Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Born: November 16, 1890
Died: February 29, 1956
Resting place: Manila South Cemetery
Spouse(s): Alicia Syquia
Occupation: Lawyer
School attended: University of the Philippines College of Law
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of heart attack
Children: Fe, Armando, Norma, Thomas and Victoria

7.) Ramon D. Magsaysay

7th President of the Philippines
Term of office: December 30, 1953 March 17, 1957
Complete name: Ramon Del Fierro Magsaysay
Nickname: Mambo Magsaysay
Birthplace: Iba, Zambales
Born: August 31, 1907
Died: March 17, 1957
Resting place: Manila North Cemetery
Spouse(s): Luz Banzon
Occupation: Engineer, Chauffer, Mechanic, Soldier
School attended: University of the Philippines, Jose Rizal University
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of plane crash
Children: Teresita, Milagros and Ramon Jun Jr.

8.) Carlos P. Garcia

8th President of the Philippines
Term of office: March 17, 1957 December 30, 1961
Complete name: Carlos Polestico Garcia
Birthplace: Talibon, Bohol
Born: November 4, 1896
Died: June 14, 1971
Resting place: Libingan ng mga Bayani
Spouse(s): Leonila Dimataga
Occupation: Lawyer, Teacher, Poet, Public official, Guerilla leader
School attended: Silliman University, Philippine College of Criminology
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died from a fatal heart attack
Children: Linda

9.) Diosdado P. Macapagal

9th President of the Philippines
Term of office: December 30, 1961 December 30, 1965
Complete name: Diosdado Pangan Macapagal
Birthplace: Lubao, Pampanga
Born: September 28, 1910
Died: April 21, 1997
Resting place: Libingan ng mga Bayani
Spouse(s): Purita Dela Rosa, Evangelina Macaraeg
Occupation: Lawyer, Professor, Accountant
School attended: University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and Philippine Law School
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of heart failure, pneumonia and renal complications
Children: Arturo, Cielo, Gloria and Diosdado Jr.

10.) Ferdinand E. Marcos

10th President of the Philippines
Longest serving Philippine President
Term of office: December 30, 1965 February 25, 1986
Complete name: Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos
Nickname: Makoy/Strong man
Birthplace: Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
Born: September 11, 1917
Died: September 28, 1989
Resting place: Marcos Museum and Mausoleum
Spouse(s): Imelda Romualdez
Occupation: Lawyer, Soldier
School attended: University of the Philippines College of Law
Religious affiliation: Iglesia Filipina Independiente/Catholic
Death: Died of heart, kidney and lung ailments
Children: Imee, Ferdinand Jr., Aimee (adopted)

11.) Corazon C. Aquino

11th President of the Philippines
First Woman Philippine President
Term of office: February 25, 1986 June 30, 1992
Complete name: Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino
Nickname: Cory/Tita Cory
Birthplace: Panique, Tarlac
Born: January 25, 1933
Died: August 1, 2009
Resting place: Manila Memorial Park,
Spouse(s): Benigno Aquino Jr.
Occupation: Housewife
School attended: College of Saint Mount Vincent
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Death: Died of colorectal cancer
Children: Maria Elena "Ballsy", Aurora Corazon "Pinky", Benigno Simeon Noynoy, Victoria Elisa "Viel" and
Kristina Bernadette Kris

12.) Fidel V. Ramos

12th President of the Philippines
Term of office: June 30, 1992 June 30, 1998
Complete name: Fidel Valdez Ramos
Nickname: Eddie, FVR
Birthplace: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Born: March 18, 1928
Spouse(s): Amelita Martinez
Occupation: Soldier, Civil Engineer
School attended: MAPUA Institute of Technology, US Military Academy, Ateneo De Manila University,
Silliman University, National Defense College of the Philippines,University of Illinois in Urbana
Religious affiliation: United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Children: Angelina, Josephine, Carolina, Christine and Gloria

13.) Joseph E. Estrada

13th President of the Philippines
Term of office: June 30, 1998 January 20, 2001
Complete name: Jose Marcelo Ejercito
Nickname: Erap
Birthplace: Tondo, Manila
Born: April 19, 1937
Spouse(s): Luisa Pimentel
Occupation: Actor, Businessman, Politician
School attended: Ateneo De Manila University, MAPUA Institute of Technology
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Children: Jose (Jinggoy), Jackie and Jude

14.) Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo

14th President of the Philippines
2nd Longest serving Philippine President
Term of office: January 20, 2001 June 30, 2010
Complete name: Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Birthplace: San Juan, Rizal
Born: April 5, 1947
Spouse(s): Jose Miquel Arroyo
Occupation: Economist, Professor
School attended: Georgetown University (USA), Assumption College, Ateneo De Manila University and
University of the Philippines
Religious affiliation: Catholic
Children: Juan Miguel, Evangelina Lourdes and Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria

15.) Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

15th President of the Philippines
Term of office: June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016
Complete name: Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III
Nickname: Noynoy,PNoy
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Born: February 8, 1960
Occupation: Politician
School attended: Ateneo de Manila University
Religious affiliation: Catholic

Presidents of the Philippines and their

Achievements and Contributions
In this page, Ive listed all the presidents of the Philippines from the first to the present time (2013)
and compiled some of their notable achievements. This list starts from the ratification of the Philippine
Constitution in the First Republic after the independence of the country in 1898. Thus, this list starts
from the ratification of 1899 constitution where Emilio Aguinaldo was the president of the Republic of
the Philippines. The dates followed by their names are the dates of their terms.
Presidents of the Philippines from past to present:
1st President
General Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 April 1, 1901)
To make it easier for you to master, always remember why Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was on the 5-peso
bill (which is not used anymore, instead his head-profile is on the 5-peso coin) bearing the Philippine
flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, its because he was the first president of
the Philippines First Republic (a.k.a. Malolos Republic).
Contributions and Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo:
first president
youngest president he became the countrys leader at age 28
longest-lived president he died when he was 94 (wow!)
one of the active leaders of KKK
signed the Pact of Biak na Bato
known as the President of the Revolutionary Government
he fought against the Spanish and American to retain our independence
2nd President
Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 August 1, 1944)
Notable facts about Manuel Luis Quezon is that, he is known as the Father of National Language
(Ama ng Wikang Pambansa) and he died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis. Ive seen
his life-sized wax statue inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, it was well crafted.
Contributions and Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon:
first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines
first president elected through a national election
first president under the Commonwealth
he created National Council of Education
he initiated womens suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth
he made Tagalog / Filipino as the national language of the Philippines
he appears on the twenty-peso bill
a province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila were named after him
his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle
3rd President
Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 August 17, 1945)
Laurel was the third to sit at the office during Japanese occupation of World War II. He was the only
Filipino president to have been shot outside of combat.
Contributions and Achievements of Jose P. Laurel:
he was considered as the legitimate president of the Philippines
he organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas).
he declared Martial Law in 1944
he and his family developed the establishment of Lyceum of the Philippines

4th President
Sergio Osmea (August 1, 1944 May 28, 1946)
Sergio Osmea was the second president of the Commonwealth; he succeeded Quezon after his
death.
Contributions and Achievements of Sergio Osmena:
he was 65 when he became president making him the oldest president to hold office
he was the first Visayan to become president
he joined US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of the
Philippines from the Japanese during World War II
during his time, the Philippine National Bank has been rehabilitated and the country joined the
International Monetary Fund
on his time, the Bell Trade Act was approved by the US Congress
Sergio Osmena appears on the 50 peso bill
5th President
Manuel Roxas (May 28, 1946 April 15, 1948)
Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines overall but he was considered as the third and last
president under the Commonwealth and the first of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He only sat
in the office for 1 year, 10 months and 18 days.
Contributions and Achievements of Manuel A. Roxas:
was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the Philippines was
finally free after the WW II
in his time, the country has started reconstruction from war damage and the Philippines started
breathing without foreign rule
under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by
the congress
he is in the 100 peso bill
6th President
Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 December 30, 1953)
He was the vice president at Roxas time. He became president when the latter died in 1948.
Contributions and Achievements of Elpidio Quirino:
under his term Hukbalahap movement was active
he created Social Security Commission
he also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption
in 1948, Quezon City was the capital of the Philippines
peso and dollar exchange rate at his time was 1 US = P2
7th President
Ramon Magsaysay (December 30, 1953 March 17, 1957)
He was born in Iba, Zambales, was a military governor, and engineer. He died on a plane crash on
Dec. 1957, boarding the presidential plane named Mt. Pinatubo
Contributions and Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay:
was a chairman of the Committee on Guerilla Affairs
was the first president sworn into office wearing Barong Tagalog in his inauguration
his presidency was referred as the Philippines Golden Years for it was the cleanest and zerocorruption
nd
the Philippines was ranked 2 in Asias clean and well-governed countries
he established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among his
agrarian reforms

8th President
Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 December 30, 1961)
Another lawyer, Carlos P. Garcia was a poet, teacher, and guerilla leader too. Born from Bohol, he
was the vice president of Magsaysay and secretary of Foreign Affairs for 4 years. He became
president when Magsaysay died in 1957.
Contributions and Achievements of Carlos P. Garcia
he was known for Filipino First Policy
he established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce
was known as the Prince of Visayan Poets and the bard from Bohol
cultural arts was revived during his term
was the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
9th President
Diosdado Macapagal (December 30, 1961 December 30, 1965)
He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal is the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the
14thand second woman president of the Philippines. He was a lawyer and a professor, too.
Contributions and Achievements of Diosdado Macapagal:
he established the first Land Reform Law
he placed the Philippines currency peso, on the currency exchange market
he made June 12 1898 as the Philippines Independence Day
he signed the Minimum Wage Law
he signed the creation of the Philippine Veterans Bank
10th President
Ferdinand Marcos (December 30, 1965 February 25, 1986)
Born from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a lawyer and Senate President for 3
years. He was president for 21 years and only quit office after the People Power Revolution. His
wife, Imelda Marcos became quite popular in the world too. His term was the most controversial and
messy one because of Martial Law and People Power although Marcos has contributed a lot of nice
things in the Philippines. He was one of the best and brightest presidents even though their family
was rumored to have embezzled public funds to Switzerland and other wealthy countries.
Contributions and Achievements of Ferdinand Marcos:
he was the first president to win a second term
he declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972
he increased the size of Philippine military and armed forces
in 1980, GNP was 4 times greater than 1972
in 1986, the Philippines was one of the most indebted countries in Asia
he built more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals and infrastructures than all former presidents did
combined
is the only president whose remains interred inside a refrigerated crypt

11th President
Corazon Aquino (February 25, 1986 June 30, 1992)
The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman president in Asia, Cory Aquino is the
wife of Benigno Aquino Jr. (who was assassinated during Marcos regime). She was born in Paniqui,
Tarlac
Contributions and Achievements of Corazon Aquino:
was named Woman of the Year in 1986 by Time magazine
first woman president of the Philippines and Asia
shes known to bring back democracy in the country
she abolished 1973 Marcos Constitution brought the new Constitution of the Philippines
she reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government
signed the Family Code of 1987 and 1191 Local Government Code
she always initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy
shes been cited as a modern-day Joan of Arc by many
she is in the new 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquino
she has received great honors and awards such as one of:
100 Women Who Shaped World History
th
20 Most Influential Asians of the 20 Century
65 Great Asian Heroes
a recipient of J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding

12th President
Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 June 30, 1998)
FVR was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became president.
Unknown to many, hes also a civil engineer. He brought back economic growth and stability in the
country in spite of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He is the first and only non-Catholic president of
the Philippines.
Contributions and Achievements of Fidel V. Ramos
during his time, the Philippines was cited as Asias Next Economic Tiger because he brought
back economic growth
the Philippines celebrated Centennial Independence in 1998
hes the only Filipino who received British Knighthood from the United Kingdom, bestowed by
Queen Elizabeth II (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George)
th
he led the 4 APEC Summit held in the Philippines
his Philippines 2000 vision made the Philippine Stock Exchange one of the best in the world in
the mid-90s
Death Penalty was reinstated at his time
he signed peace talks and agreement with the MNLF
13th President
Joseph Estrada (June 30, 1998 January 20, 2001)
Known as Erap, he was the first president who was a famous film actor. His governance had so many
downs due to controversies, impeachment and slow economic growth. I think hes the first president
who has been impeached and the second one who was forced to leave the office because of People
Power III in Edsa. Philippine economy was at its worst because of leadership uncertainty.
Contributions and Achievements of Joseph Erap Estrada:
during his time, the MILFs headquarters and camps were captured
he joined other leaders and politicians who supported against the Charter Change
was cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989
was among the Magnificent 12 who voted for the termination of the Philippines and US Military
Bases Agreement from Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base

14th President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (January 20, 2001 June 30, 2010)
Gloria Arroyo, daughter of ex-president Diosdado Macapagal, was the second female president of the
Philippines. She was 14 when she moved and lived in the Malacanang Palace. Oakwood Mutiny
occurred on her term. There were also lots of messy controversies against Gloria like impeachments
and the Hello Garci disgrace but Gloria has known to have contributed big record for road, bridges
infrastructures and higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents term did. Amid the 2008 global
financial crisis, the Philippines still had an impressive GDP growth and it was so hard to keep it afloat
but she did.
Contributions and Achievements of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:
second female president of the country
first and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far (to date)
first president to had oath taking outside Luzon
an ex-professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University where Noynoy Aduino was one
of her students
an ex-classmate of former US president Bill Clinton at Georgetown Universitys Walsh School
of Foreign Service where she maintained Deans list status
she regained higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents before her
Philippine economy grew at its fastest in 3 decades in 2007, GDP exceeding 7% growth
US ex-president Bill Clinton cited Glorias tough decisions because of her brilliant strategy to
make the country's economy back in shape amidst the 2008 global financial crisis
Peso became the best performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007
eVAT Law was implemented under her term
she is currently in the 200 peso bill
15th President
Benigno Aquino III (June 30, 2010 present)
Son of the first female president of the Philippines and Asia Corazon Aquino, Benigno Aquino III
Aquino a.k.a. NoyNoy joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his presidency. He
is the first president who is a bachelor, unmarried and has no children.
Contributions and Achievements of Benigno Aquino III:
he created the no wang-wang policy and this was practiced on his inaugural address
he assigned the notable Jesse Robredo as the secretary of DILG in 2010.
he initiated the K-12 education in the Philippines
he renamed the Office of the Press Secretary into Presidential Communications Operations
Office and appointed new officers
he signed an EO about suspension of allowances and bonuses of GOCCs and GFIs board
members
has paved peace in Mindanao thru the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement
in 2012, the Philippine economy grew 7.1% besting other South East Asian countries