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Ferdinand Marcos: The Dictator

Ferdinand Marcos is, no doubt, one of the greatest figures in Philippine history both for his greatness as a president and as a dictator.

EARLY HISTORY

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos was born on September 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte to Josefa Edralin and Mariano Marcos.

His father was a politician and on September 20, 1935, after Julio Nalundasan, his father's biggest competitor, won a seat in the National Assembly for the second time, he was shot and killed in his home. Father and son along with Ferdinand's brother-in-law, were arrested and tried for assassination and were consequently found guilty. While in prison, Marcos was studying for the bar exam, bailed himself out and took the exam, emerging as the topnotcher. He argued his case on appeal to the Philippine Supreme Court in which the presiding judge was Jose P. Laurel, the former president of the puppet republic. Laurel acquitted Marcos saying that such a brilliant mind should not go to waste.

Before he served as President, Marcos had served in different positions of leadership. He served as an officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a member in the House of Representatives, a Senator, a Minority Floor Leader, and Senate President which was the last step to ascending to the presidency.

After failing to attain the Liberal Party's nomination for president which was given to Disodado Macapagal who was then running for a reelection, Marcos switched to the Nationalist Party and became the candidate. At the end of the highly expensive campaign, Marcos won the elections and was inaugurated on December 30, 1965.

FIRST TERM

During his first term, Marcos focused on bringing the Philippines back to its former glory. He focused on building roads, bridges and other public infrastructure which included power generators and water services that were provided to 8 regions and 38 localities. He also believed that education is key in the greatness of a nation and as a result, he built more schools than all of his predecessors combined. All these were fulfilled through heavy loans from various countries and banks.

He also promoted the reform of the judiciary and national defense system. He also fought against smuggling, organized crime and government corruption.

He also improved the agricultural system and in a matter of time, the Philippines became self-sufficient in food, most notably rice.

He also valued foreign relations and in the height of the Vietnam War, he sent Filipino troops to aid the United States forces. From 1966 until 1970, over 10,000 Filipinos had served in Vietnam.

SECOND TERM

In 1969, Marcos won for a second term against Sergio Osmena Jr. Because of his win, Marcos is known as the first president in Philippine history to be reelected.

The 1970s was a period of unrest and rising communist ideologies. Demonstrations, marches and protests against the administration were rampant and Marcos was dubbed “Tuta ng Kano” in reference to American neo-colonialism. These protests would soon come to be known as The First Quarter Storm and would later become one of the causes for the declaration of martial law. The state of the country’s economy was also in a downward spiral and the Philippine peso continuously decreased in value against the US dollar.

The most violent student demonstration was named "The Battle of Mendiola" . Thousands of student activists tried to storm Malacanang. Sex were killed and many were wounded. The most famous student groups were the Kabataang Makabayan and the Samahang Demokratikong Kabataan. Those who were pushing for a communist Philippines took advantage of the mounting tension and student demonstrations to further their interests.

MARTIAL LAW

What is martial law? It is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety”. Basically, the president may utilize the country’s military forces in any way he sees fit. According to Article VII, Section 10 of the 1935 Philippine Constitution: “in case of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion, or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, he (the President) may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines, or any part thereof under Martial Law.” The purposes of the emergency rule were two sided: (1) to eradicate the armed force of the rebellion and end the anarchy that prevailed; and (2) to eliminate the social and economic roots of the rebellion, by causing rapid national development.

Marcos announced Proclamation No. 1081, the proclamation of martial law, on September 22, 1972 which was signed the day before.

The first thing Marcos did was to issue the Letter of Instruction No. 1 in which he ordered the press secretary and defense secretary to: “take over and control or cause the taking over and control of the mass media for the duration of the entire national emergency, or until otherwise ordered by the president or by his duly designated representative.” This had a crippling effect on the Philippine press which was envied by journalists from neighboring countries and dubbed the freest and liveliest in all of Asia. With the implementation of the letter of instruction, media establishments such as the following were seized by the administration.

The Manila Times

Daily Mirror

Manila Chronicle

Manila Daily Bulletin

Philippine Daily Express

Philippines Herald

Philippine Free Press

Graphic

The Nation

The likes of publishers Antonio Araneta (Graphic), Joaquin Roces (Manila Times), Eugenio Lopez Jr. (Manila Chronicle) and Teodoro Locsin Sr. (Philippine Free Press) were jailed.

With the clamping down on the media, media regulating bodies were formed and abolished repeatedly until only the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas or the KBP remained and still remains to this day.

During the martial law period, Marcos seized many privately-owned industries and companies and handed them over to his relatives and close friends, putting the country in an imposed state of cronyism. Media outlets such as newspapers and TV stations including radio stations were handed over to close friends. Some of the most notable are:

Benjamin Romualdez - Imelda's brother and the owner of the Philippine Journalists Inc. chain of publications.

General Hans Menzi - Marcos's former senior military aide

Roberto Benedicto - owned a chain of industrial companies, the Philippine Daily Express, 4 telecommunications corporations, 16 TV stations and over 20 radio stations.

#marcos #ferdinand marcos #philippine history

The Presidents After The Colonial Period — Aquino

Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III, is the 11th president of the Philippines. He is the son of former president Cory Aquino and the assassinated opposition leader, Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Aquino studied in Ateneo de Manila University. He was elected senator in 2004. He had no intention to run as the president of the Philippines, but pressured by the corruption infused presidency of arroyo, the Filipino people sought an honest and credible leader and they found it in Noynoy Aquino. They did not simply ask Pnoy to run; they begged him. His "spiritual retreat" on Carmelite Sisters in Zamboanga City gave him time to decide whether he will run for presidency. Exactly 40 days after his mother's death, he officially announced his candidacy for presidency and won the 2010 election.

Developments Under President NoyNoy Aquino Administration

Hunger Incidence - self-rated huger has gone down from 20.5% in March to 15.1% in June 2011.

Foreign Investments - Investors in energy sectors reached 140 companies, ready to participate in the exploration and strengthening of oil and natural resources of the country.

Eliminating Corruption in the Government

Rice Importation - Exposed the over-importation of rice in the last months of GMA administration.

Agriculture - irrigated an additional 11,611 hectares of fields, not to mention the near 212,000 hectares of land which were rehabilitated.

Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

Generated more jobs and unemployment rate went down from 8% to 7.2% in April 2011

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program - human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households, particularly of children aged 0-18 years old.

New Legislations and Improves Services in the Government

Some Criticisms on President NoyNoy Aquino's Administration

Manila Hostage Crisis - This happened on August 23, 2010 when a dismissed police officer took over a tourist bus in Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus carrying 20 tourists in attempt to express his grievances to the government. Saying that he had been summarily and unfairly dismissed, and that all he wanted was a fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself in court. After a 10-hour negotiation, local police force failed, the shooting began, after 90 minutes of gun-battle, Mendoza and eight tourists were killed. The hostage crisis was watched worldwide on television and the internet. The government was blamed for its poor handling of the incident and issued a "black travel alert" for the Philippines.

Truth Commission - The commission tasked to investigate various anomalies and issues including graft and corruption allegations against the past administrations, government officials and their accomplices in the private sector during the last nine years. However, Supreme Court declared the Executive Order No.1 Truth Commission unconstitutional, saying it "violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution" for focusing on the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Cabinet Appointments - President Aquino was questioned on the manner of selecting his cabinet members. He was accused on bringing in his government his "Kaibigan, Kaklase at Kabarilan" After one year, the ban of appointing losing candidates had ended; he again appointed in his cabinet his partymates in the Liberal Party

Written By: Kathleen Mae I. Guerrero

References: Corpuz, R.M., Tabotabo, C.V., Mellejor, L.W. (2012) Philippine History with Politics and Governance

The Filipino is worth dying for.

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

Negatives Effect of Colonization Part II

While the colonization of the Spaniards, Japanese and Americans brought history in the lands of our country, and even some remarkable changes, they also brought negative effects in a way that scarred the Filipino people forever.

One of the terrible things they brought us is, of course, war. In a typical colonization setting, one does not usually go down without war. One does not usually conquer lands without using force. In our country, it started with friendship. They say the deadliest conflicts starts with friendship. Our brotherhood with the Spaniards turned out quite well for a while, but friendship doesn't end until someone twists something somewhere in the middle or when one of them does not treat the other equally.

To cut the history of things started short, it brought negative effects on us. Have you ever seen a peaceful war? Of course not. It ends with bloodbath and guns and killing and lots of things torn apart (don't even imagine what those things are). Can you imagine people looking for their love ones after the war and trying to cope up with things when they find out their love ones are not coming back? Imagine a place of desolation and war-torn houses where people used to live and the scarcity of food. Families holding their dead love ones, mother's trying to feed their babies from their dried and nutrient-less breasts, children crying, and a hopeless, helpless place of devastation. Those were just the aftermath, which was horrible. God knows how people survived the actual war.

It’s not just war; it’s also the westernized “Philippine Culture”. We became something that looks Asian but acts like a white person. We suddenly have a materialistic view on life. We wanted to look white. Our culture is slowly being defaced and forgotten and slowly getting replaced with a culture that does not even belong to us.

Also, after the Spanish period, we became so superstitious. It’s not that bad to believe in such things, but through the years, the superstitions became so distorted that people became close-minded about things that are so easy to understand and to accept. We’d rather follow a superstition than seek medical attention.

In addition, I don’t think we are a fully independent country. If one would notice, the Americans can still meddle with the business of our government. No wonder why we value their products and culture more than what’s ours. The followers just follow what the leader is doing.

Editorial: Kathleen Mae I. Guerrero

References and Insights from: That Awesome Ex-Lit Professor That Changed My Views In Life

Small but Terrific: The Second Woman President of the Philippines

Glorcia Macapagal-Arroyo, daughter of the former president Diosdado Macapagal, is the tenth president of the Philippines’ third republic. She had assumed to position after the second “People Power” in January 2001. Estrada, charged with plunder and corruption, was arrested thus from vice presidency she was called to fill the vacant position.

An uprising dubbed as “EDSA III” was held against the Arroyo administration. Despite being proved legitimate, supporters of the Estrada governance attempted to overthrow GMA from her position. The people who took part of the said revolution were violent, many casualties were recorded, largely different from the first people power revolution. This aggressive action of the citizens made GMA declare a “state of rebellion”.

Political Condition

The former president underwent trial and was sentenced with Reclusion Perpetua for the crime of plunder.

Strong ties were built between the country and the US, East Asian, Southeast Asian and other countries where OFW workers are abundant.

Economic Condition

Gross Domestic Product has evidently shown how the economy was doing well. An average rate of 4.6% from 2001 to 2005 during GMA’s term was proved to be higher than previous administrations.

Holiday Economics which is aimed to boost internal tourism by providing more family time through the adjustment of holidays. This did not gain approval from the working class because they are not paid in holidays.

Intending to lessen the country’s budget deficit, GMA proposed to pass a new taxation law called the E-VAT Law.

Socio-Cultural Condition

Investigation for political killing cases were pursued by creating an independent entity called the Melo Commission, headed by the former Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo.

Jovito Palparan’s appointment to the Security Council despite carrying a number of crimes attributed to him.

Maguindanao Massacre happened in 2010. This and other such human rights violation cases made the Philippines known to be the second most riskiest place in the world.

Amnesty Proclamation 1377 provided for the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front’s exoneration. Only those related with the political beliefs were pardoned not including human rights violations.

Educational Condition

Programs were launched for the Filipinos’ English proficiency development.

Dropout rates increased

Low achievement in primary level of education

Classroom shortage. Lack of Educators

Budget for education has decreased.

#GMA #Gloria Arroyo #Governance #governance

The Negative Effects of Colonialism

The Philippines had been colonized by both Spain and the United States of America.

The Spaniards arrived in the Philippines as they were searching for a route to the East because they wanted to reach the “Spice Islands” or the Moluccas (now a part of Indonesia). The Spaniards have ruled the country for 333 years.

Meanwhile, U.S.A, under the Treaty of Paris, bought the Philippines from the Spaniards. From 1898 to 1946, the Philippines was under the rule of the Americans.

While both have been given benefits to the Filipinos in certain ways, it cannot be denied that both countries also brought us negative effects that caused the Filipinos a lot of problems.

Here are some negative effects of Colonization:

Union of Church and State- the Roman Catholic Church and the State are equal to and coterminous with each other during the Spanish era. It is evident that absolute separation between the State and the Church is not yet achieved. (Influence on politics and public opinion; politicians do their best to get the Church's approval or support)

The Philippine culture and society were influenced and changed. (Alphabet, language, clothing, religion, etc.)

The Filipino identity was greatly changed (ex: foreign names and surnames were adapted, foreign words were used).

Filipinos learned to sabong and gamble.

Colonial Mentality and Westernization (Most Filipinos thinks that anything that is American is supreme. “Kapag maputi ka, maganda ka.”) As a result, the Filipino culture was neglected.

Crab Mentality, “Bahala na” and Mañana Habit

(c)http://www.filipiknow.net

Religion plays a huge part in the decision-making process of a lot of Filipinos.

American food such ashamburgers, hot dogs and French fries are being favored more than Filipino food like suman, bibingka, etc.

---Ma. Ysabel Jeremiah P. Juachon

Sources:

http://filipinokastila.tripod.com/FilSpa.html

https://www.scribd.com/doc/27594134/The-Philippines-During-the-American-Period

Agbon, Z. & Penano, D. (2006). Makabayang Lahi 5. Ephesians Publishing Inc.

http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasaysayan_ng_Pilipinas_(1898%E2%80%931946)

c)http://www.filipiknow.net/negative-traits-of-filipinos/

#kolonyalismo #post colonialism #negative effects #philippine history #history

The Presidents After the Colonial Period -- Macapagal

In the 1961 elections, Macapagal won against late President Garcia, promising to end corruption and appealing to the electorate as a common man from humble beginnings. He worked to suppress graft and corruption in the Philippines, and to stimulate the Philippine economy.

Diosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, and also the fifth President of the Third Republic. He was also the father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was the fourteenth President of the Philippines.

[image source]

He was responsible for changing the date of the Philippine Independence to June 12 from July 4, in commemoration of the day President Emilio Aguinaldo unilaterally declared the independence of the First Philippine Republic from the Spanish Empire in 1898.

He also opened Malacañang to the public, but it did not last long due to the attitudes of the people. There was also the Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963, which abolished the share tenancy on rice and corn farm lands. It established a leasehold system where farmers would pay rentals to landlords instead of harvests.

He placed the peso in the free currency-exchange market, encouraging the wealthiest families to invest. He also liberalized foreign exchange and import controls.

One of his achievements was the forming of Maphilindo (Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia) through a foreign policy, which paved the way for the creation of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Many of his reforms, however, were crippled by a Congress dominated by the rival Nacionalista Party. Even so, by the end of his presidency, agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) was at its highest, inflation was at its lowest, and trade deficit was negligible. Foreign debts were less than US $600 million, and the economic development of the Philippines was just right behind that of Japan in Asia.

Macapagal and Marcos originally had an agreement that Macapagal would not run again for president in the 1965 elections but instead back Marcos up as the Liberal candidate. Despite this agreement though, Macapagal still ran, but Marcos managed to defeat him.

Macapagal was chosen as the president of the 1971 Constitutional Convention after Garcia's death, and he became an outspoken critic of the Marcos administration. He was also one of the first to oppose the imposition of martial law. He also published the first anti-Marcos dictatorship book Democracy in the Philippines, which he was later prosecuted for sedition.

In 1979, he organized the National Union for Liberation as an opposition party to Marcos. He then died in 1997 due to heart failure, pneumonia, and renal complications.

Written by: Jaemy Q. Glemao, 2JRN2

Sources:

Everything about the Philippines | Diosdado Macapagal

https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=1562565553975367&eid=ASuTMEpGnE2hX11YQwBROVkVn1R5R__4swBN7AT_sns_ZEPcM1eDYZuob5jOqmGIeJs&inline=1&ext=1415261157&hash=ASsQUB0nCUJZLYgN

"Common Man's President". Time. November 24, 1961.

#diosdado macapagal #philippine history #philippines #post colonialism #presidency

The Actor Turned Politician: Joseph Ejercito Estrada

The common people needed someone who could fight for them and the former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada posed himself as an available hero the masses. He started out as an actor in many action films, making his popularity spring up by a large margin. He’s also been through many different positions in the government: mayor, senator, vice president. “Erap para sa Mahirap” was his well-known tagline that was able to move the hearts of many Filipino citizens.

The Conditions & Developments under the Administration: Political

· Pork barrel was abolished during his tenure and replaced with Countrywide Development Fund, and Congressional Additions and Insertions. His appointees were trusted by many sectors.

· Financial recovery was heightened.

· Sided with the poor and marginalized.

Condition of the Philippines’ Economy

· The latter administration had provided a good launching point for continuous success in the Philippine government during Erap’s time.

· Significant increases in the Gross Domestic Product of the Philippines were noticeable.

Education

· Classroom requirement were met halfway.

· Constructed classrooms in remote rural areas

· Provided textbook budget

· Defined Centers of Excellence and Development among tertiary schools.

· Scholarships were also granted

· Teacher education was also given notice.

Reflection: A Say on Popularity and Heroism

Up until now popularity has become a defining factor in predicting who will win the election. The kind popularity being identified here is the one that has rooted from the show-business. People who are not fully equipped with knowledge on how to govern properly and hold a nation together, even with their pure hearts and good intentions, may help the people of the country in keeping their hopes up by their heroic portrayals; the negative side is that everyone believes that they are the savior, that they can do everything for the country and when these officials are not able to fulfill their tasks or promises people sort of rebel.

In this kind of prevalent idealism that we have it is important that we keep in our minds that we have to check ourselves. Individually we must see and know who we really are, instead of giving the blame to someone else ignoring the fact that we took part in putting them where they are. There is no reason to complain if you have not been a part of the solution. We must re-learn how to think before we act, not just do whatever pops into our minds and then blame someone else if something we do not want arises.

Article by: Arbicielly Marie Patajo

Reference:

Corpuz, R.M., Tabotabo, C.V., Mellejor, L.W. (2012) Philippine History with Politics and Governance

#Joseph Ejercito Estrada #Erap #governance

AFTER EFFECT

Today's papers and publications do not contain events anymore like how it used to. It is now filled with people. Not of celebrities but of the president, vice president, senators, congressmen and congresswomen and even NGO leaders. They have now become the subjects of controversy. In the comments section of most news articles, there are only rants, complaints and expressions of disappointment as issues and controversies concerning the governing body surface the media. Also, regretful events coming from the part of the government have since been delaying the progress of the Philippines. One good example is the martial law where democracy was completely abolished.

Is this how post-colonial Philippines should look like? Is this how our heroes envisioned the Philippines to be when they decided to fight to their death for the country's independence? The answer is no.

From the time of martial law, fellow Filipinos have suffered greatly from the authoritative ways of a dictator. It was the darkest time of the post-colonial period. However, today’s generation, the youth who have not experienced the horrors of martial law, give praise to former president Ferdinand Marcos for the high standing of the Philippines in terms of global innovation. The Philippines then comes second to Japan in Asia. The conversion of US dollars to Philippine peso was at its lowest. It is impressing but it only sounds good on paper. In reality, hidden agendas and ugly intentions are what fueled the government’s mentality.

Now, even Filipinos are fooled that Ferdinand Marcos was an effective president when in fact he just brought suffering and terror to people.

At present, controversies about alleged corruption of government officials are the trend. Strong evidences are being presented in court and extremely defensive officials continuously attempt to hide their wealth that could only come from the people’s taxes.

Our country’s problems have turned and taken a different path than just working on the progress of every aspect of its economy. It has been decades since post-colonial period started in the Philippines and yet the country is still taking small steps toward progress. Would our heroes be proud of us now?

When some of our heroes died during the colonial periods and when some of them witnessed the victory of independence, they did not expect the battle to end. They envisioned a future where Filipinos continue to fight only for a different purpose.

Based on the course of events that has and is happening, we are far from the hopeful dream of our heroes.

We have come a long way since the last colonial period and the beginning of post-colonial period but the truth about what really happened then should be taught and recognized today. At the same time as keeping the lessons learned from earlier mistakes, people must start fighting for a stable future for the Philippines especially the government. It has been an eventful past but at present, we have a more important duty of continuing the battle our heroes started long ago. We must fight for our country, the Philippines, that it may find its way back to the right path toward progress.

Editorial By: Jasmine Dy

Sources:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/153653/the-post-colonial

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/49932/to-young-filipinos-who-never-knew-martial-law-and-dictatorship/

http://opinion.inquirer.net/78883/adult-insights-from-martial-law-memories-of-a-7-year-old

#editorial #post-colonial philippines

The Presidents After the Colonial Period -- Garcia

Following the death of former President Magsaysay due to an unexpected plane crash, Vice President Garcia succeeded the office and finished the remaining time for Magsaysay's term. He was on his way to Australia for a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) conference when the incident happened, and he went back to Manila to assume the duties of the President.

Carlos Polístico García was the eighth President of the Philippines, and also the fourth President of the Third Republic. One of his first actions after becoming president was to declare a period of mourning for the whole nation and the burial ceremonies for the late President Magsaysay.

[image source]

After he finished Magsaysay's term, he was elected in the 1957 elections in his own right. He is known for his Austerity Program and Filipino First Policy.

The Austerity Program was implemented to curb the rampant graft and corruption in the country, and although it was not very successful, it managed to restore the trust between the people and the government. The Filipino First Policy was passed to give local businessmen more priority over foreign investors. Garcia's policies aimed at boosting the economy and obtaining greater economic independence.

There was also the Bohlen-Serrano Agreement, which shortened the original 99 year lease of US bases in the Philippines to 25 years, along with it being renewable every five years.

He also aimed to revive old Filipino cultural traditions, due to the colonization of many countries and the adoption of these foreign cultures. He had also signed the bill to outlaw the Communist Party of the Philippines.

He ran for president again in the 1961 elections, but he lost to Diosdado Macapagal. He was, however, elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and became president, although he died of a heart attack two weeks later.

Written by: Jaemy Q. Glemao, 2JRN2

Sources:

Everything about the Philippines | Carlos P. Garcia

https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=1562565553975367&eid=ASuTMEpGnE2hX11YQwBROVkVn1R5R__4swBN7AT_sns_ZEPcM1eDYZuob5jOqmGIeJs&inline=1&ext=1415261157&hash=ASsQUB0nCUJZLYgN

#carlos garcia #carlos p garcia #philippine history #philippines #post colonialism

Positive Effects of Philippine Colonization

- In the course of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, the friars constructed opulent Baroque-style church edifices. The carpenters, masons, craftsmen, and artisans were mainly Filipinos.

-The Roman Catholic Church and religion influenced Filipino architectural and building style, even as the rituals and festivities of the Church influenced Filipino dances, songs, paintings, and literary writings. Through these influences, the Church afforded the Filipinos abundant opportunities for both solemn rites and "fiestas."

- Until the Spaniards came, the Philippines wasn't technically a country. It was just a series of islands with different tribes living in different "barangays."

- Although Spaniard’s maltreated indios, it lead to the birth of Nationalism, which Rizal and the other Ilustrados brought into fruition.

- In addition to teaching the Filipinos new farming methods and introducing to them new crops such as maize, avocado, tomato, and cacao, from which the nutritious drink of chocolate was derived, the Spanish friars taught the rudiments of reading and writing to the natives, not to mention useful trades such as painting, baking and locksmithing.

- By the end of Spain's rule, the Filipino society featured roads, bridges, schools, colleges, hospitals, grand ballrooms and theatre.

-The Americans brought international exposure to the western world. This expanded our knowledge regarding other customs and ended up adapting to other cultures.

-American colonization helped us learn to read and write in English, which is the universal language.

-Americans instilled their principles; progressive liberal ideologies such as egalitarianism, democracy and equality.

-The Spaniards enriched the Filipino languages through lexicographic studies produced by the friars. Many Spanish words found their way into the Tagalog and Visayan languages.

- Through the Church and its zealous missionaries, the Filipinos learned new techniques and procedures involving the cultivation of agricultural crops introduced from Mexico, one of Spain’s colonies in the New World.

Written by: Natalia Alexa R. Sy

Sources:

http://www.studymode.com/essays/American-Contibution-To-The-Philippines-1365293.html

http://www.slideshare.net/liliemanna/the-american-colonization-in-the-philippines-23108543

http://filipinokastila.tripod.com/FilSpa.html

http://www.slideshare.net/JessieVilladolid/effects-of-american-colonization-in-the-philippines

The Presidents After the Colonial Period -- Magsaysay

After winning the 1953 presidential elections against late president Elpidio Quirino, Magsaysay became the President of the Philippines. He was the first President to wear a Barong Tagalog when swearing into office.

Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the seventh President of the Philippines, and the third President in the Third Republic. He used to be under Quirino prior to these events, but due to the corruption and incompetence of the administration back then, he broke off from them and he was elected as President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party despite being a Liberal.

[image source]

The Magsaysay administration was considered as one of the cleanest and most corruption-free presidencies, and it was also cited as the Philippines' Golden Years. The president worked for the common people, and he created the President's Complaint Action Committee in which he would act upon the complaints of the people.

The Republic Act No. 1160 abolished the Land Settlement and Development Corporation (LADESECO), and established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA). Also, the Republic Act No. 1199 created the court of Agrarian Relation, in which this court was organized to oversee the relationships between tenants and landowners.

The Land Tenure Administration was created from Republic Act No. 1400, in which it was in charge of possessing and distributing tenants rice and corn lands, with 200 hectares for individuals and 600 hectares for corporations. The Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration was also created from Republic Act No. 821, which gave small farmers and tenants low interests of around six to eight percent with their loans.

There was a Reparation Agreement between Japan and the Philippines to pay the latter with $550 thousand as payment for the damages in World War 2. The Bell Trade Act was also turned into the Laurel Langley Agreement, which eradicated the authority of the US to control the exchange rate of the Philippine peso, parity privileges reciprocal, and the extended sugar quota.

The prices of consumer goods lowered, and it was during Magsaysay's presidency that the Hukbalahap group's threats finally came to an end after the surrender of their leader. It was also Magsaysay who opened the Malacañang Palace to the public.

Although, the Anti-subversion law limited the citizens' democratic rights of assembly, free speech, and belief.

Magsaysay's term was supposed to end by the end of the year 1957, but it was cut short when the plane he was in crashed on his way to Cebu City.

Written by: Jaemy Q. Glemao, 2JRN2

Sources:

Everything about the Philippines | Ramon Magsaysay

https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=1562565553975367&eid=ASuTMEpGnE2hX11YQwBROVkVn1R5R__4swBN7AT_sns_ZEPcM1eDYZuob5jOqmGIeJs&inline=1&ext=1415261157&hash=ASsQUB0nCUJZLYgN

#ramon magsaysay #philippine history #philippines #post colonialism #presidency

The Presidents After the Colonial Period -- Quirino

After the death of President Roxas without completing his term due to a heart attack, Vice President Quirino succeeded the presidency. During his term, there was notable postwar reconstruction in the country, general economic gains, and increased economic aid from the US.

Elpidio Rivera Quirino was the sixth President of the Philippines, and also the second President of the Third Republic. After his first term as the successor of Roxas, he won the 1949 presidential election, which was claimed to be a dishonest and fraudulent election, under Liberal Party ticket.

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During his presidency, the President’s Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PACSA) was created to alleviate the sufferings of indigent families, and the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing Administration (ACCFA) was created to aid farmers in marketing their crops. The Rural Banks of the Philippines was also established in order to facilitate credit utilities in rural areas.

There was the Quirino-Foster Agreement in Foreign Relations, in which the US will give $250 million over five years in exchange for the Philippines' reform of tax structure, the enactment of minimum wage law, the initiation of social and land reforms, and a development in the country's economy in accordance to the Bell Mission Report.

The Social Security Commission was also created, and it was hailed by the people as the harbingers of great benefits along with PACSA. The number of religious and private schools also increased despite the limited subsidy from the government.

The Quirino Administration was riddled with graft and corruption despite all of this though, and this was evident by how economic development was slow in spite of the help the country was getting from the US. The Total Economic Mobilization Policy that was vaunted failed to give relief to the suffering nation. There was economic distress.

The Integrity Board was created to stop the corruption, but it was not enough to stop it. There were also insurgencies, mostly tensions from the Hukbalahap group, that resulted in attempts to overthrow the government.

Quirino lost the 1953 elections to Ramon Magsaysay, and so he retired to his suburban retreat before he died in 1956 from a heart attack.

Written by: Jaemy Q. Glemao, 2JRN2

Sources:

Everything about the Philippines | Elpidio Quirino

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#elpidio quirino #philippine history #philippines #post colonialism #presidency

The Positive Effects of Colonization in the Philippines

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· It was able to help modernize the country. The Philippines was just a couple of islands before it was brought together by the Spaniards.

· Religion was established during the Spanish colonization

· Education was improved during the American colonization and higher level education (college) was introduced to the country

· University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal College and other Agricultural colleges were established during the American colonization

· There was a separation of the church and the state.

· The Filipinos were also allowed to rule since Spaniards allowed some locals (specifically datus) to be barangay heads.

· The concept of Press Freedom was also introduced during the American rule.

· English was also introduced to the country

· The Filipinos were inspired to fight for their freedom and was able to learn their rights.

By Francesca Beatrice Sanchez

Sources:

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/Tagalog_Homepage99/impacts_of_spanish_rule_in_the_p.htm

http://www.slideshare.net/liliemanna/the-american-colonization-in-the-philippines-23108543

http://www.lifepaths360.com/index.php/the-impact-of-us-occupation-on-philippine-society-8706/

http://www.slideshare.net/JessieVilladolid/effects-of-american-colonization-in-the-philippines?related=2

#positive effects #colonization

The Filipinos’ Tiger Cub Economy of Asia under Ramos

The betrayer of the bad, Fidel V. Ramos stood up against the dictatorial government of Marcos despite his being related to the former president. He is the eighth president of the Philippines under the third republic. Political stability was present during his time which can be related to the economic growth of the country. There are notable improvements in the country during his regime so the Philippines was known then as the rising tiger of Asia. Investors also took part in making the economy of the country rise rapidly.

Developments under the Administration: Political

“National reconciliation” as the key program that the government wanted to pursue. Ramos aimed to make peace with the insurgents in Mindanao, fighting since time immemorial for their autonomy, by signing a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front. He also granted amnesty to the leader of the 1989 coup d’état—Gregorio Honasan.

Capital Punishment was reinstated

Condition of the Philippines’ Economy

“Philippines 2000” was Ramos’ legendary program which platform included the following: Peace and Stability, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development, Energy and Power Generation, Environmental Protection, Streamlined Bureaucracy. This program was successful in keeping the nation’s economy better than it was after the regime of dictatorship.

The power crisis was resolved through the help of independent power producers (IPP), but the problem entered because of a loophole in the contract signed by Ramos which promised that the IPPs will get paid in US Dollars.

Unemployment is already a problem back then. Most of the work force in the country came from the youth. Education is not the cause but lack of experience since everyone were fighting for high-paying jobs.

An invigorated trade relationship with foreign countries was developed during Ramos’ time.

The Philippines began cooperating in the APEC, WTO, GATT, and the ASEAN.

Ramos was able to attract investors by his travelling generating an amount of 20 Billion U.S. Dollars.

E-VAT was implemented.

Development in Socio-Cultural Terms

The Chinese structure on the Spratly Islands was dealt with.

The Magna Carta for Overseas Workers of the Migrant Workers Act was signed because of the series of happenings that had occurred after the execution of Flor Contemplacion—an overseas worker in Singapore.

Education

Low salary for educators, lack of facilities and educational supplies, and academic incompetence among the teachers emerged as a problem of the government then.

Article By: Arbicielly Marie Patajo, 2JRN2

References:

Corpuz, R.M., Tabotabo, C.V., Mellejor, L.W. (2012) Philippine History with Politics and Governance

Gregorio F. Zaide, Sonia M. Zaide (2004), Philippine History and Government

#FVR #governance

The Philippines under Cory Aquino’s Governance

The dictatorship has left the country in ruins: a disorganized government, a huge amount of debt left unpaid, numerable human violation cases… It may not have done what the war had done to the country, but its effects had entangled with those of the colonial period so that even until today, from the top-of-the-hierarchy people to the littlest child in the new generation, everyone feels its many reverberations.

It cannot be expected that the succeeding government after Marcos’ was able to perfectly bind together the loose pieces of our nation’s democracy. Corazon Aquino did her best according to her judgment in helping the Philippines gain back its lost vigor. Many attempts were done by the government during her time to enable every Filipino to breathe back into life and rise up from the fall.

Developments under the Administration: Political

Semi-restoration of Peace and Order since there still is an abundance of guerilla movements and Moro insurgencies, and coup d’états were held against the rule

Companies were privatized. Meaning, the government is not the entity owning the corporation. Examples are Meralco and NAWASA.

Despite Aquino’s wish to retain the military bases in the Philippines, the Senate stood up against it, thus the American Military turned over the air base in Pampanga and the naval base in Subic. But this did not mean that the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. is severed.

The alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses were given attention for investigation. Those which were proved and collected were sold. Deposits were put under the control of the Swiss, but later on these were claimed back by the Marcoses.

Those who were guiltly of human rights violation were charged by the government and were bestowed with appropriate convictions. The pitfall of this action is that many were still left not responsible for they have done.

Governing entities created: Presidential Commission on Good Governance, Presidential Committee on Human Rights (known today as the Commission on Human Rights)

Condition of the Philippines' Economy

External debt amounting to 28 Billion U.S. dollars was left for the Aquino government to resolve.

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 was signed by Cory on June 10, 1988. It provided opportunity for the farmers to improve their life quality. All public and private lands that are suitable for agriculture were covered for distribution.

The worldwide support helped the country to regain its vitality in terms of its economic performance. A Multi-national initiative was created to assist the Philippines in its recovery. It is known as the Philippine Assistance Plan.

News rules were set forth by the government regarding taxes. Aquino’s term was the start of VATs and other varieties of sales taxes.

Problems arose not with taxes but with the system of its collection.

Development in Socio-Cultural Terms

Fear was diminished. The Filipinos were able to co-exist with the military men and the government officials without dread.

1990-1999 Declared by President Aquino as the Philippines’ decade of Education for All (EFA)

Executive Order No. 117 was enacted to giving birth to the Bureau of Non-formal Education.

Article By: Arbicielly Marie Patajo, 2JRN2

Reference:

Corpuz, R.M., Tabotabo, C.V., Mellejor, L.W. (2012) Philippine History with Politics and Governance

#cory aquino #governance

The Presidents After the Colonial Period -- Roxas

The Philippines had been colonized by the Spanish, the Japanese, and the Americans, but after having been granted independence from the United States of America, the people of the Philippines and its new leaders live on with their 'freedom', attempting to mend and rehabilitate the country as they did so.

Manuel Acuña Roxas was the fifth President of the Philippines. He was also the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the first one in the Third Republic, and also the first one after the granting of Independence in the country.

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He became President in 1946, until his untimely death in 1948. During that two years though, his focus was on the rehabilitation of the country of the Philippines after having suffered damages from World War 2.

General amnesty was granted first to the people who collaborated with the Japanese. Schools were opened even in the far flung barangays, and the Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933 was proclaimed effective.

However, issues were still prominent during his time of presidency. Even though the act mentioned above was proclaimed, land tenure problems continued, and it might have even worsened in some areas. The Republic Act No. 1946, also known as the Tenant Act, was enacted as a remedial measure, with a 70-30 sharing arrangements and regulated share-tenancy contracts.

Under the parity rights, US investors where to be treated as equals of Philippine nationals, and that Philippine exports had quotas to the US while American exports did not have quotas to the Philippines.

The US had military bases without rent for 99 years-- although the lease ended in 1991.

He had promised the Hukbalahap group, which was an anti-Japanese guerrilla movement formed by peasant farmers in Central Luzon, agrarian reform in exchange for the surrender of arms, but negotiations failed.

He was not able to finish his full four year term, as he died of a heart attack in 1948. Two days after his death, Vice President Elpidio Quirino became the President of the Philippines.

Written by: Jaemy Q. Glemao, 2JRN2

Sources:

Manuel Roxas | Presidential Museum and Library

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Dante C. Simbulan (2005). The Modern Principalia: The Historical Evolution of the Philippine Ruling Oligarchy. UP Press. p. 228 (note 15).ISBN 978-971-542-496-7.

#manuel roxas #philippine history #philippines #independence #post colonialism

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