Diosdado Macapagal

Diosdado Pangan Macapagal (September 28, 1910 April 21, 1997) was the ninth President of
the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice-President, serving from 1957 to
1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the
Constitutional Convention of 1970. He is the father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was the
fourteenth President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010.
A native of Lubao, Pampanga, Macapagal graduated from the University of the Philippines and
University of Santo Tomas, after which he worked as a lawyer for the government. He first won
election in 1949 to the House of Representatives, representing a district in his home province of
Pampanga. In 1957, he became Vice-President under the rule of President Carlos P. Garca,
whom he defeated in the 1961 polls.
As President, Macapagal worked to suppress graft and corruption and to stimulate the Philippine
economy. He introduced the country's first land reform law, placed the peso on the free currency
exchange market, and liberalized foreign exchange and import controls. Many of his reforms,
however, were crippled by a Congress dominated by the rival Nacionalista Party. He is also
known for shifting the country's observance of Independence Day from July 4 to June 12,
commemorating the day President Emilio Aguinaldo unilaterally declared the independence of
the First Philippine Republic from the Spanish Empire in 1898. He stood for re-election in 1965,
and was defeated by Ferdinand Marcos, who subsequently ruled for 21 years.
Under Marcos, Macapagal was elected president of the Constitutional Convention which would
later draft what became the 1973 Constitution, though the manner in which the charter was
ratified and modified led him to later question its legitimacy. He died of heart failure,
pneumonia, and renal complications, in 1997, at the age of 86.
Early life
Diosdado Macapagal was born on September 28, 1910, in Lubao, Pampanga, the third of four
children in a poor family.[1] His father, Urbano Macapagal, was a poet who wrote in the local
Pampangan language, and his mother, Romana Pangan Macapagal, was a schoolteacher who
taught catechism.[2] He is a distant descendant of Don Juan Macapagal, a prince of Tondo, who
was a great-grandson of the last reigning Rajah of Selurong, Rajah Lakandula.[3] The family
earned extra income by raising pigs and accommodating boarders in their home.[2] Due to his
roots in poverty, Macapagal would later become affectionately known as the "Poor boy from
Lubao".[4] Diosdado Macapagal was also a reputed poet in the Spanish language although his
poet work was eclipsed by his political biography.
Early education
Macapagal excelled in his studies at local public schools, graduating valedictorian at Lubao
Elementary School, and salutatorian at Pampanga High School.[5] He finished his pre-law course
at the University of the Philippines, then enrolled at Philippine Law School in 1932, studying on

a scholarship and supporting himself with a part-time job as an accountant.[2][5] While in law
school, he gained prominence as an orator and debater.[5] However, he was forced to quit
schooling after two years due to poor health and a lack of money.[2]
Returning to Pampanga, he joined boyhood friend Rogelio de la Rosa in producing and starring
in Tagalog operettas patterned after classic Spanish zarzuelas.[2] It was during this period that he
married his friend's sister, Purita de la Rosa in 1938.[2] He had two children with de la Rosa,
Cielo and Arturo.[4]
Macapagal raised enough money to continue his studies at the University of Santo Tomas.[2] He
also gained the assistance of philanthropist Honorio Ventura, the Secretary of the Interior at the
time, who financed his education.[6] After receiving his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1936, he was
admitted to the bar, topping the 1936 bar examination with a score of 89.95%.[5] He later returned
to his alma mater to take up graduate studies and earn a Master of Laws degree in 1941, a Doctor
of Civil Law degree in 1947, and a PhD in Economics in 1957.[5]
Early career
After passing the bar examination, Macapagal was invited to join an American law firm as a
practicing attorney, a particular honor for a Filipino at the time.[7] He was assigned as a legal
assistant to President Manuel L. Quezon in Malacaang Palace.[5] During the Japanese
occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Macapagal continued working in Malacaan
Palace as an assistant to President Jos P. Laurel, while secretly aiding the anti-Japanese
resistance and now joining the military service of the Philippine Commonwealth Army during
the Allied liberation against the Japanese.[5]
After the war,Macapagal worked as an assistant attorney with one of the largest law firms in the
country, Ross, Lawrence, Selph and Carrascoso.[5] With the establishment of the independent
Republic of the Philippines in 1946, he rejoined government service when President Manuel
Roxas appointed him to the Department of Foreign Affairs as the head of its legal division.[4] In
1948, President Elpidio Quirino appointed Macapagal as chief negotiator in the successful
transfer of the Turtle Islands in the Sulu Sea from the United Kingdom to the Philippines.[5] That
same year, he was assigned as second secretary to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.[4]
In 1949, he was elevated to the position of Counselor on Legal Affairs and Treaties, at the time
the fourth highest post in the Philippine Foreign Office.:[8])
First marriage
In 1938, he married Purita dela Rosa and they had two children namely Cielo MacapagalSalgado and Arturo Macapagal until Purita's death in 1943.
Second marriage
On May 5, 1946 he married Dr. Evangelina Macaraeg, with whom he had two children, Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo who became President of the Philippines and Diosdado Macapagal, Jr.

House of Representatives
On the urging of local political leaders of Pampanga province, President Quirino recalled
Macapagal from his position in Washington to run for a seat in the House of Representatives
representing the 1st District of Pampanga.[9] The district's incumbent Representative, Amado
Yuzon, was a friend of Macapagal, but was opposed by the administration due to his support by
communist groups.[9] After a campaign which Macapagal described as cordial and free of
personal attacks, he won a landslide victory in the 1949 election.[9] He also won re-election in the
1953 election, and served as Representative in the 2nd and 3rd Congress.
At the start of legislative sessions in 1950, the members of the House of Representatives elected
Macapagal as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and he was given several
important foreign assignments.[8] He was a Philippine delegate to the United Nations General
Assembly multiple times, notably distinguishing himself in debates over Communist aggression
with Andrei Vishinsky and Jacob Malik of the Soviet Union.[8] He took part in negotiations for
the U.S.-R.P. Mutual Defense Treaty, the LaurelLangley Agreement, and the Japanese Peace
Treaty.[5] He also authored the Foreign Service Act, which reorganized and strengthened the
Philippine foreign service.[4]
As a Representative, Macapagal authored and sponsored several laws of socio-economic
importance, particularly aimed at benefiting the rural areas and the poor. Among the pieces of
legislation which Macapagal promoted were the Minimum Wage Law, Rural Health Law, Rural
Bank Law, the Law on Barrio Councils, the Barrio Industrialization Law, and a law nationalizing
the rice and corn industries.[5] He was consistently selected by the Congressional Press Club as
one of the Ten Outstanding Congressmen during his tenure.[5] In his second term, he was named
Most Outstanding lawmaker of the 3rd Congress .[5]
Vice presidency
In the 1957 general election, the Liberal Party drafted Representative Macapagal to run for Vice
President as the running-mate of Jos Yulo, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Macapagal's nomination was particularly boosted by Liberal Party President Eugenio Prez, who
insisted that the party's vice presidential nominee have a clean record of integrity and honesty.[9]
While Yulo was defeated by Carlos P. Garcia of the Nacionalista Party, Macapagal was elected
Vice President in an upset victory, defeating the Nacionalista candidate, Jos B. Laurel, Jr., by
over eight percentage points. A month after the election, he was also chosen as the head of the
Liberal Party.[6]
As the first ever Philippine vice president to be elected from a rival party of the president,
Macapagal served out his four-year vice presidential term as a leader of the opposition. The
ruling party refused to give him a Cabinet position in the Garcia administration, which was a
break from tradition.[5] He was offered a position in the Cabinet only on the condition that he
switch allegiance to the ruling Nationalista Party, but he declined the offer and instead played the
role of critic to the administration's policies and performance.[4] This allowed him to capitalize on
the increasing unpopularity of the Garcia administration. Assigned to performing only

ceremonial duties as vice president, he spent his time making frequent trips to the countryside to
acquaint himself with voters and to promote the image of the Liberal Party.[4]
Presidency
Presidential styles of
Diosdado P. Macapagal
Reference style

His Excellency

Spoken style

Your Excellency

Alternative style

Mr. President

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.[2]
He defeated the incumbent president with a 55% to 45% margin.[4] His inauguration as the
president of the Philippines took place on December 30, 1961.
Major legislation signed

Republic Act No. 3512 An Act Creating A Fisheries Commission Defining Its Powers,
Duties and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor.
Republic Act No. 3518 An Act Creating The Philippine Veterans' Bank, and For Other
Purposes.

Republic Act No. 3844 An Act To Ordain The Agricultural Land Reform Code and To
Institute Land Reforms In The Philippines, Including The Abolition of Tenancy and The
Channeling of Capital Into Industry, Provide For The Necessary Implementing Agencies,
Appropriate Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes.

Republic Act No. 4166 An Act Changing The Date Of Philippine Independence Day
From July Four To June Twelve, And Declaring July Four As Philippine Republic Day,
Further Amending For The Purpose Section Twenty-Nine Of The Revised Administrative
Code.

Republic Act No. 4180 An Act Amending Republic Act Numbered Six Hundred Two,
Otherwise Known As The Minimum Wage Law, By Raising The Minimum Wage For
Certain Workers, And For Other Purposes.

Economy

In his inaugural address, Macapagal promised a socio-economic program anchored on "a return
to free and private enterprise", placing economic development in the hands of private
entrepreneurs with minimal government interference.[4]
Twenty days after the inauguration, exchange controls were lifted and the Philippine peso was
allowed to float on the free currency exchange market. The currency controls were initially
adopted by the administration of Elpidio Quirino as a temporary measure, but continued to be
adopted by succeeding administrations. 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.[4]
To achieve the national goal of economic and social progress with prosperity reaching down to
the masses, there existed a choice of methods. First, there was the choice between the democratic
and dictatorial systems, the latter prevailing in Communist countries. On this, the choice was
easy as Filipinos had long been committed to the democratic method.[10] With the democratic
mechanism, however, the next choice was between free enterprise and the continuing of the
controls system. Macapagal stated the essence of free enterprise in layman parlance in declaring
before Congress on January 22, 1962 that "the task of economic development belongs principally
to private enterprise and not to the government.[10]
Before independence there was free enterprise in the Philippines under Presidents Manuel
Quezon, Sergio Osmea and Manuel Roxas. In 1950 President Elpidio Quirino deviated from
free enterprise launching as a temporary emergency measure the system of exchange and import
controls. The controls system was carried on by President Magsaysay and Garcia.[10]
The first fundamental decision Macapagal had to make was whether to continue the system of
exchange controls of Quirino, Magsaysay and Garcia or to return to the free enterprise of
Quezon, Osmena and Roxas.[10] It had been his view since he was a Congressman for eight years
that the suitable economic system for Filipinos was free enterprise. So on January 21, 1962 after
working for 20 straight hours he signed a Central Bank decree abolishing exchange controls and
returning the country to free enterprise.[10]
During the 20 days available to make a decision on choice between controls and free enterprise,
between his inauguration as President and before the opening of Congress, Macapagal's main
adviser was Governor Andres Castillo of the Central Bank.
Further reform efforts by Macapagal were blocked by the Nacionalistas, who dominated the
House of Representatives and the Senate at that time. Nonetheless, Macapagal was able to
achieve steady economic progress, and annual GDP growth averaged at 5.53% for 196265.[4]
Socio-economic program
The removal of controls and the restoration of free enterprise was intended to provide only the
fundamental setting in which Macapagal could work out economic and social progress.[10] A
specific and periodic program for the guidance of both the private sector and the government was

an essential instrument to attain the economic and social development that constituted the goal of
his labors.[10]
Such a program for his administration was formulated under his authority and direction by a
group of able and reputable economic and business leaders the most active and effective of
which was Sixto Roxas III. From an examination of the planned targets and requirements of the
Five-Year program formally known as the Five-Year Socio-Economic Integrated Development
Program it could be seen that it aimed at the following objectives.[10]

immediate restoration of economic stability;

alleviating the plight of the common man; and

establishing a dynamic basic for future growth.

Free enterprise was restored with decontrol. The Five-Year Economic Program had been
prescribed. Land reform abolishing tenancy had been launched. These were essential foundations
for economic and social progress for the greatest number.[10]
The essential foundations having been laid, attention must then be turned to the equally difficult
task of building the main edifice by implementing the economic program. Although the success
of Macapagal's Socio-Economic Program in free enterprise inherently depended on the private
sector, it would be helpful and necessary for the government to render active assistance in its
implementation by the citizens.[10]
Such role of the government in free enterprise, in the view of Macapagal, required it (1) to
provide the social overhead like roads, airfields and ports that directly or proximately promote
economic growth, (2) to adopt fiscal and monetary policies salutary to investments, and most
importantly (3) to serve as an entrepreneur or promote of basic and key private industries,
particularly those that require capital too large for businessmen to put up by themselves. Among
the enterprises he selected for active government promotion were integrated steel, fertilizer, pulp,
meat canning and tourism.[10]
Land reform
See also: Land reform in the Philippines
Like Ramon Magsaysay, President Diosdado Macapagal came from the masses. He savored
calling himself the "Poor boy from Lubao".[11] Ironically, he had little popularity among the
masses.[11] This could be attributed to an absence any charismatic appeal owing to his stiff
personality.[11] But despite this, Macapagal had certain achievements.[11] Foremost of these was
the Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963 (Republic Act No. 3844) which provided for the
purchase of private farmlands with the intention of distributing them in small lots to the landless
tenants on easy term of payment.[11] It is a major development in history of land reform in the
Philippines,

In comparison with the previous agrarian legislation, the law lowered the retention limit to 75
hectares, whether owned by individuals or corporations. It removed the term "contiguous" and
established the leasehold system.[11] The share-tenancy or the kasama system was prohibited.[11] It
formulated a bill of rights that assured agricultural workers the right to self-organization and to a
minimum wage. It also created an office that acquired and distributed farmlands and a financing
institution for this purpose.[11] The major flaw of this law was, however, that it had several
exemptions, such as ort (big capital plantations established during the Spanish and American
periods); fishponds, saltbeds, and lands primarily planted to citrus, coconuts, cacao, coffee,
durian, and other similar permanent trees; landholdings converted to residential, commercial,
industrial, or other similar non-agricultural purposes.[11]
It was viewed that the 75-hectare retention limit was just too high for the growing population
density. Moreover, this law merely allowed the transfer of the landlordism from one area to
another.[11] This was because landlords were paid in bonds, which he could use to purchase
agricultural lands.[11] Likewise, the farmer was free to choose to be excluded from the leasehold
arrangements if he volunteered to give up the landholdings to the landlord.[11]
Within two years after the law was implemented, no[11] land was being purchased under its term
and conditions caused by the peasants' inability to purchase the land.[11] Besides, the government
seemed lacking of strong political will, as shown by the Congress' allotment of only one million
Philippine pesos for the implementation of this code. At least Php200 million was needed within
a year from the enactment and implementation of the code, and Php300 million in the next three
years for the program to be successful. However, by 1972, the code had benefited only 4,500
peasants covering 68 estates, at the cost of Php57 million to the government. Consequently, by
the 1970s, the farmers ended up tilling less land, with their share in the farm also being less.[11]
They incurred more debts, depending on the landlord, creditors, and palay buyers. Indeed, during
the administration of Macapagal, the productivity of the farmers further declined.[11]
Anti-corruption drive
One of Macapagal's major campaign pledges had been to clean out the government corruption
that had proliferated under former President Garcia.[12] The administration also openly feuded
with Filipino businessmen Fernando Lopez and Eugenio Lopez, brothers who had controlling
interests in several large businesses.[4] The administration alluded to the brothers as "Filipino
Stonehills who build and maintain business empires through political power, including the
corruption of politicians and other officials".[13] In the 1965 election, the Lopezes threw their
support behind Macapagal's rival, Ferdinand Marcos, with Fernando Lopez serving Marcos'
running mate.[13]
Stonehill controversy
The Administration's campaign against corruption was tested by Harry Stonehill, an American
expatriate with a $50-million business empire in the Philippines.[12] Macapagal's Secretary of
Justice, Jose W. Diokno investigated Stonehill on charges of tax evasion, smuggling,
misdeclaration of imports, and corruption of public officials.[12] Diokno's investigation revealed
Stonehill's ties to corruption within the government. Macapagal, however, prevented Diokno

from prosecuting Stonehill by deporting the American instead, then dismissing Diokno from the
cabinet. Diokno questioned Macapagal's actions, saying, "How can the government now
prosecute the corrupted when it has allowed the corrupter to go?"[12] Diokno later served as a
Senator of the Republic.
Independence Day
Macapagal appealed to nationalist sentiments by shifting the commemoration of Philippine
independence day. On May 12, 1962, he signed a proclamation which declared Tuesday, June 12,
1962, as a special public holiday in commemoration of the declaration of independence from
Spain on that date in 1898.[14][15] The change became permanent in 1964 with the signing of
Republic Act No. 4166.[16] For having issued his 1962 proclamation, Macapagal is generally
credited with having moved the celebration date of the Independence Day holiday.[17][18] Years
later, Macapagal told journalist Stanley Karnow the real reason for the change: "When I was in
the diplomatic corps, I noticed that nobody came to our receptions on the Fourth of July, but
went to the American Embassy instead. So, to compete, I decided we needed a different
holiday."[19]
Foreign policies
North Borneo claim

President Diosdado Macapagal on the bridge of the USS Oklahoma City in 1962
On September 12, 1962, during President Diosdado Macapagal's administration, the territory of
eastern North Borneo (now Sabah), and the full sovereignty,[20][21] 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.[22][unreliable source?] The cession effectively gave the
Philippine government the full authority to pursue their claim in international courts. The
Philippines broke diplomatic relations with Malaysia after the federation had included Sabah in
1963.[23][24] It was revoked in 1989 because succeeding Philippine administrations have placed the
claim in the back burner in the interest of pursuing cordial economic and security relations with
Kuala Lumpur.[25] To date, Malaysia continues to consistently reject Philippine calls to resolve
the matter of Sabah's jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice.[26][unreliable source?] Sabah sees

the claim made by the Philippines' Moro leader Nur Misuari to take Sabah to International Court
of Justice (ICJ) as a non-issue and thus dismissed the claim.[27]
Maphilindo
In July 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal convened a summit meeting in Manila in which a
nonpolitical confederation for Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, Maphilindo, was
proposed as a realization of Jos Rizal's dream of bringing together the Malay peoples, seen as
artificially divided by colonial frontiers.[28]
Maphilindo was described as a regional association that would approach issues of common
concern in the spirit of consensus. However, it was also perceived as a tactic on the parts of
Jakarta and Manila to delay, or even prevent, the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
Manila had its own claim to Sabah (formerly British North Borneo),[28] and Jakarta protested the
formation of Malaysia as a British imperialist plot. The plan failed when Sukarno adopted his
plan of "konfrontasi" with Malaysia. The Konfrontasi, or Confrontation basically aimed at
preventing Malaysia from attaining independence. The idea was inspired onto President Sukarno
by the Partai Komunis Indonesia (PKI), or literally the Indonesian Communist Party. The party
convinced President Sukarno that the formation of Malaysia is a form of neo-colonization and
would affect tranquility in Indonesia. The subsequent development of ASEAN almost certainly
excludes any possibility of the project ever being revived.[28]
Vietnam War
Before the end of his term in 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal persuaded Congress to send
troops to South Vietnam. However this proposal was blocked by the opposition led by Senate
President Ferdinand Marcos who deserted Macapagal's Liberal Party and defected to the
Nacionalista Party.[29]
The U.S. government's active interest in bringing other nations into the war had been part of U.S.
policy discussions as early as 1961. President Lyndon Johnson first publicly appealed for other
countries to come to the aid of South Vietnam on April 23, 1964in what was called the "More
Flags" program.[29] Chester Cooper, former director of Asian affairs for the White House,
explained why the impetus came from the United States instead of from the Republic of South
Vietnam: "The 'More Flags' campaign ... required the application of considerable pressure for
Washington to elicit any meaningful commitments. One of the more exasperating aspects of the
searchwas the lassitude ... of the Saigon government. In part ... the South Vietnam leaders
were preoccupied with political jockeying. ... In addition, Saigon appeared to believe that the
program was a public relations campaign directed at the American people."[29]
1963 midterm election
Main article: Philippine Senate election, 1963

The senatorial election was held on November 12, 1963. Macapagal's Liberal Party (LP) won
four out of the eight seats up for grabs during the election thereby increasing the LP's senate
seats from eight to ten.
1965 presidential campaign
Main article: Philippine presidential election, 1965
Towards the end of his term, Macapagal decided to seek re-election to continue seeking reforms
which he claimed were stifled by a "dominant and uncooperative opposition" in Congress.[4] With
Senate President Ferdinand Marcos, a fellow member of the Liberal Party, unable to win his
party's nomination due to Macapagal's re-election bid, Marcos switched allegiance to the rival
Nacionalista Party to oppose Macapagal.[4]
Among the issues raised against the incumbent administration were graft and corruption, rise in
consumer goods, and persisting peace and order issues.[4] Macapagal was defeated by Marcos in
the November 1965 polls.
Post-presidency and death

Grave of Diosdado Macapagal at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Macapagal announced his retirement from politics following his 1965 loss to Marcos. In 1971,
he was elected president of the constitutional convention that drafted what became the 1973
constitution. The manner in which the charter was ratified and later modified led him to later
question its legitimacy. In 1979, he formed the National Union for Liberation as a political party
to oppose the Marcos regime.
Following the restoration of democracy in 1986, Macapagal took on the role of elder statesman,
and was a member of the Philippine Council of State.[5] He also served as honorary chairman of
the National Centennial Commission, and chairman of the board of CAP Life, among others.
In his retirement, Macapagal devoted much of his time to reading and writing.[5] He published his
presidential memoir, authored several books about government and economics, and wrote a
weekly column for the Manila Bulletin newspaper.
Diosdado Macapagal died of heart failure, pneumonia and renal complications at the Makati
Medical Center on April 21, 1997. He is buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Legacy
On September 28, 2009, Macapagal's daughter, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, inaugurated
the President Diosdado Macapagal Museum and Library, located at his home town of Lubao,
Pampanga.[30][31]
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared September 28, 2010 as a special non-working holiday
in Macapagal's home province of Pampanga to commemorate the centennial of his birth.[32]
Birthplace (Ancestral House and Lot)
The landmarks are located in front of Lubao Institute at San Nicolas 1, Lubao, Pampanga.

The "Bahay Kubo" of Macapagal

Mural

Interior

Inside the small house

Prologue

Marker
Museum and Library[edit]
These house the personal books and memorabilia of Macapagal.

Macapagal Clan

Faade of the House

Bust (sculpture) of Macapagal in museum-library

Museum and Library

Oil Portrait of Macapagal

Second floor of the Museum

Electoral history
Vice Presidential election, 1957:[4]

Diosdado Macapagal (Liberal Party) 2,189,197 (46.55%)

Jos Laurel, Jr. (Nacionalista Party) 1,783,012 (37.91%)

Vicente Araneta (Progressive Party) 375,090 (7.97%)

Lorenzo Taada (Nationalist Citizens' Party) 344,685 (7.32%)

Restituto Fresto (Lapiang Malaya) 10,494 (0.22%)

Presidential election, 1961:[4]

Diosdado Macapagal (Liberal Party) 3,554,840 (55%)

Carlos P. Garcia (Nacionalista Party) 2,902,996 (45%)

Presidential election, 1965:[4]

Ferdinand Marcos (Nacionalista Party) 3,861,324 (51.94%)

Diosdado Macapagal (Liberal Party) 3,187,752 (42.88%)

Raul Manglapus (Progressive Party) 384,564 (5.17%)

Honors
National Honor

Philippines: Grand Cross (Dakilang Kamanong) of the Gawad Mabini (1994)

Foreign Honor

Taiwan: Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade (May 2, 1960)[33]

Japan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (1962)

Spain: Knight of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (June 30, 1962)

Italy: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
(July 1962)

Vatican:Knight with Collar of the Order of Pius IX (July 9, 1962)

Pakistan: Nishan-e-Pakistan (July 11, 1962)

Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Collar of the Order pro merito Melitensi

Thailand: Knight of the Order of the Rajamitrabhorn

West Germany: Grand Cross Special Clas of the Order of Merit of the Federal
Republic of Germany (November 1963)

Contributions and Achievements:

established the first Land Reform Law, allowing for the purchase of private
farmland to be distributed in inexpensive, small lots to the landless

placed the Philippine peso on the currency exchange market

declared June 12, 1898 to be Philippines Independence Day

signed the Minimum Wage Law

created the Philippine Veterans Bank

Diosdado P. Macapagal (1961-1965)

CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES
There were many uprisings against the Aquino administration
There was a widespread of poverty
Graft and corruption throughout the country
Continues to undergo the economic controls that had been in operation since 1948
PRIMARY PROBLEMS
Low living standards of the masses
Lack of economic stability
Unemployment
Devaluation of the Philippine Peso
Foreigners could now buy and control more local businesses easily because of the
exchange rate. They were richer than the Philippines.
Revocation of 350 midnight appointments
Garcia appointed 350 people into certain positions before he stepped down as
president (A few hours before) Most controversial position was the central bank
governor. This act was against the Saligang Batas; However, the supreme court still
had the final authority/say.
PROMISES DURING THE ELECTIONS AND INAUGURATION

Macapagal promised a program for the socio-economic aspect of society wherein

hed return free and private enterprises wherein economic developments would be
placed in the hands of private entrepreneurs wherein the government would have
minimal control over.
He declared that he would be the president of both the rich and the poor. He
promises to erase that line between the wealthy and the unfortunate. Mostly by
elevating the poors status to have a more copious life.
I shall be president not only of the rich but more so of the poor. We must help
bridge the wide gap between the poor man and the man of wealth, not by pulling
down the rich to his level as Communism desires, but by raising the poor towards
the more abundant life.
The Malacanang Palace is to be opened to the public.
Restoration of morality to the public by alleviating the stature of the masses.
Promised to end corruption, and establish anti-terrorism.
LAWS AND PROGRAMS
Opened Malacanang to the Public; however it didnt last long because people
started to only loft around.
Dismissed Corruption in the government when the official couldnt 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
Abolished share tendency on rice and corn farmlands and establishment of a
leasehold system where farmers would pay rentals to landlords instead of harvests.
BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS
Corrupt Congressmen and Businessmen
Stonehill
HOLES AND SHORTCOMINGS OF THE LAWS
He prevented his government from tracking down the sources of corruption by
firing the officers alleged with corruption and deporting Stonehill. This way, he got
in the way of one of his promises.
He failed to solve major social and economical problems.

Macapagal wasnt able to effectively maximize the programs for the people to
alleviate poverty
ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES
Graft and Corruption (Stonehill Scandal)
Rise in Consumer Goods Prices
Peace and Order Issues
Macapagals privileged subjects in congress and business paraded their lavish
wealth in conspicuous parties and anomalous deals.
SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE
Diosdado Macapagal was chosen by the people of the Philippines to be their
president in 1961 and his term ended in 1965. Considered to be incorruptible by
most during the time, he may have served as an inspiration to his people. Thats
why he included the need for the country to have a good grasp of good morals and
ethics. He also wanted to end corruption, poverty, homelessness, and other various
problems that plagued the common man. During his entire term however, none of
what he promised or wanted was really achieved. This makes him look quite bad as
a leader of the country contrary to what he was supposed to be seen as. Hes the
type of person whos more on talk rather than action. The devaluation of the
Philippine Peso started during his term which makes him, in the eyes of some, the
root of a lot of todays problems in the country. Other than that, he returned free
trade and free enterprise to the country which crushed local goods and businesses
which continue to suffer up to today. When it came to his promises to the common
man, the farmers in particular, he was unable to keep his them during his term. He
was unable to give them the land they needed because aside from having no
specific time table as to when they were to receive the land, the government didnt
have the money to purchase the land from the hacienderos which was to be
distributed to the farmers in the first place. Basically, he made really good speeches
and the country didnt die when he was in power but he wasnt able to do
anything great that problems were removed. If common people today are asked
about what he did, the answer may be as extreme as Nothing! or funny as He
fathered a dwarf! Diosdado probably wasnt a bad man and may actually be
incorruptible despite the issues. Unfortunately, his term and his leadership are
now seen as either unproductive to the country or were the root causes the still
continuing fall of the Philippine economy today. That is why he is rated just high
enough to pass but not high enough to be considered a good president.