MARCOS AQUINO RAMOS ESTRADA Report on PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS (DPA SUBJECT:Special Problems in Development Administration)

The Marcos Years   (Dec. 30, 1965 – Feb. 25, 1986) 

1^st  Term (1965-1969)       As Senate President, Marcos had the duty to proclaim himself as duly-elected President of the Republic of the Philippines. “This nation shall be great again.”

Program/Action       : Stabilization of  the financial position of government through intensified tax collection and “heavy borrowing from international funding institutions (IFIs)”.

Assessment            : The “heavy borrowing from IFIs” was widely perceived as a source of the growing Marcos  wealth, not to mention those of their family members - Marcoses and Romualdezes and, later, their cronies’ behest loans. 

Program/Action       : Food sufficiency: Improvement of agricultural production toward food self-sufficiency, especially in rice.

Assessment            : It is confirmed that,  during the 1970s and at the height of the Marcos’ “Green Revolution”,  the Philippines did get to “marginal export status”  but “this dominance was reversed since the mid-80s when weak and discontinuous governance steadily shifted resources away from the long-term technological basis for productivity and income growths, to the short-term, price levers executed by the NFA”. (Tolentino)

If the shift was done in the mid 80s, at which time, Marcos was deposed, then the rice supply difficulties that we experience today may be blamed on the post-Marcos presidents who set  aside rice sufficiency programs that answer a  most elemental need of their constituency.

Program/Action       : Hosting of 7-nation summit conference on the South Vietnam crisis (October 1966); sending of military engineering battalions and PHILCAGV, in  support of U.S. military efforts in Vietnam.

                              : The 1^st  Papal Visit to the Philippines (27-29 November 1970), as a pastoral, rather than a state visit, Pope Paul VI stayed in church facilities even as Malacañang prepared suitable private quarters for him within Palace grounds.

Assessment            :  Early in his presidency, Marcos put the Philippines in the world map. He was aided by his health and intelligence and reported “charms” (agimat), his statesmanship, the Philippines’ strategic position in the U.S. defense map, the country’s oil reserves in Palawan, the country’s vibrant culture, the best and brightest Cabinet and work teams,   and Imelda. He was acclaimed and acknowledged leader of the developing nations in this part of the globe. His programs were emulated and have proven successful, if not more successful in other countries, e.g. Singapore river development (after the Pasig River dredging, clean ups and river patrols efforts), Colombo’s Million Houses Programme after our NHA National Accelerated Housing Program, Bangkok’s Land Consolidation for Housing after our Zonal Improvement Projects for depressed and blighted residential areas , etc. 

But Marcos’ political victores  and his programs of government never found approval among the “old rich”, the religious (with their vast friar lands) and the perennially opposition groups who have found themselves on the wrong end of wealth redistribution policies and programs such as the agrarian and urban land reform laws and programs, all of which attacked the very roots of the country’s problems with regard provision of land for housing and other infrastructure, the labor unrest, insurgency, and widespread poverty, among others.

2^nd Term (1969-1972)                  Marcos was first President of the Republic to be re-elected

Program/Action       : Congress called for the 1971 Constitutional Convention to review and rewrite the 1935 Constitution. Ex-Pres. C. P. Garcia and, later, ex-Pres. D. Macapagal headed the 320-member convention.

Assessment            : The Convention's image was tarnished by scandals which included the bribing of some delegates (payola) to make them "vote" against a proposal to prohibit Marcos from continuing in power under a new constitution. This scandal was exposed by Delegate Eduardo Quintero. For exposing the bribery attempt, Quintero found himself harassed by the government.

Program/Action       : Economic development program: Several programs have been assessed as having helped the country to enjoy the period of economic growth in the mid-70s up to the early 80s: Technical and financial assistance and incentives to farmers, including "price support"; the country's agricultural sector grew and  the Philippines became self-sufficient in rice in 1976 and even became a rice exporter.

A number of vital but high-priced infrastructure projects - soil exploration, geothermal power plants, the Bataan Nuclear Plant, hydro-electric dams, construction of roads, bridges, and irrigation systems – were implemented, financed through foreign borrowings.

Incentives to foreign capital investing in certain industrial projects included tax exemption privileges and the privilege of bringing out their profits in foreign currencies.

The Kilusang Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran (KKK) started in September 1981 aimed to promote the economic development of the barangays by encouraging residents to engage in their own livelihood projects.

The tourism industry was another major contributor to Philippine economic growth. There were one million visitors by 1980 from less than 200,000 in previous years and the country earned some $500 million a year. Filipino balikbayans dominated tour groups during the Ministry of Tourism's Balikbayan Program that was launched in 1973.

The remittances of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and in Singapore and Hongkong started at this point to make significant contribution to the economic growth of the country.

Assessment            : The government's efforts resulted in the increase of the nation's economic growth rate to an average of six percent to seven percent from 1970 to 1980. The rate was only less than 5 percent in the previous decade. The Gross National Product of the country (GNP) rose from P55 billion in 1972 to P193 billion in 1980.

Program/Action       : Foreign relations: Establishment of relations with Communist countries such as the People's Republic of Chine (June 1975) and the Soviet Union (June 1976).

Modification of relations with the U. S. into one no longer based on the "sentimental ties" but on mutual respect for each other's national interest;

amendments in military and economic agreements to reflect the new relationship.

Establishment of  closer ties with the Asian countries; active participation in the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting - Nairobi, 1976 and in the International Meeting on Cooperation and Development attended by 21 heads of countries in Cancun 1981.

Assessment            : The Philippines became a leading member of the Third World (the collective name for the developing countries at that time). He was also America’s “best friend”; the Philippines enjoyed “favored nation status” and our bananas and coconuts were the best health food for the Americans. Gloria Diaz was even adjudged Ms. Universe in Long Beach. It was said that an indicator of a country’s status with the U.S. is how Time magazine writes about the country and local events or the standing of the country’s beauty queens in the U.S.- dominated international beauty pageants. We had it all then but, of course, nothing lasts forever.

With the amendments to the RP-U.S. Military Bases Agreement of 1947, the U.S. acknowledged the sovereignty of the Philippines over the American military bases in the country (Subic and Clark), allowed for Filipino base commanders, allowed the Philippine flags to fly over the territories and the payment of  rentals for the use of the bases - major breakthroughs in U.S.-Philippine relations and in the exercise of Philippine sovereignty.

Program/Action       : Proclamation of Martial Law (21 September 21 1972): Proclamation 1081 placed the entire country under the military. Marcos’ main reason for declaring martial law was "to save the Republic" and "to reform society" - that the growing violence in the nation, caused by the leftists and the rightists elements, had come to certain magnitude that required martial law. Congress was abolished, Marcos took over its legislative powers and described his martial law government as a "constitutional authoritarianism".

While courts remained in the judiciary, the judges of all courts, from the Supreme Court down to the lowest courts, became "casuals"; their stay in office dependent on the appointing authority.

The Constitution was abolished, particularly the Bill of Rights (Article III) where thousands of suspected subversives were detained, such as Sen. B. S. Aquino, Jr., F. "Soc" Rodrigo, J. W. Diokno and J. R. Salonga. There were desaparecidos and many were held in military detention camps for years without trial.

Significant reduction of crime rate, country-wide; people reportedly became law-abiding; increase of  armed forces to over 200,000 men; organization of Civilian Home Defense Forces in the NPA-threatened rural areas ; capture of Jose Ma. Sison (CPP founder), NPA chief Bernabe Buscayno, and renegade PC Lt. Victor Corpus.

Assessment            : It was believed that the true reason why Marcos declared martial was to perpetuate his rule over the Philippines. The 1935 Constitution limited the term of the President to not more than eight consecutive years in office.

The constitution did not say how long martial law should last. The constitution left much about martial law to the President's own judgment. Under the martial law Marcos disregarded the constitution. For instance, he violated the provision which guaranteed the Bill of Rights (Article III). Upon his orders, the military picked up and detained thousands of Filipinos suspected of subversion. Among them were his critics and political opponents namely Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., Francisco "Soc"Rodrigo, Jose W. Diokno and Jovita R. Salonga. Hundreds of detainees were tortured by their captors. Some disappeared and were never found again. Many were held in military detention camps for years without trial. It is little wonder that anti-Marcos sentiments remain high especially for the survivors and the victims’ families.

There was however the incidence of “backsliding” where the gains did not last long. After a year of martial law, crime rates started to soar. By the time Marcos was removed from power in 1986, the peace and order situation in the country was being described by the then Integrated National Police (now PNP) as “ worse than before declaration of martial law”.

Marcos’ disregard for the sacrosanct Bill of Rights was attacked by many Filipinos and by other countries, as well, such that Marcos’ declaration of martial law was marked as “the beginning of the Marcos dictatorship”. This violation of rights infuriated the common but thinking “tao” and served as fodder to the leftist revolutionary causes.

The reports of rampant violation of human rights of the rural people suspected of being NPA sympathizers, of the injustices committed by some government officials and powerful and influential persons, and of the continuing poverty of the people were used as propaganda of the NPA in attracting idealistic young people, including priests and nuns.

Program/Action       : Establishment / strengthening of  institutions and facilities such as the Metropolitan Manila Commission, Development Academy of the Philippines - Task Force Human Settlements, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex (Folk Arts Theatre, Cultural  of the Philippines, Film Center, Philippine International Convention Center, Metropolitan Museum), the Heart Center for Asia, National Kidney Institute, National Lung Center, Children’s Hospital-Lungsod ng Kabataan, DENR Parks and Wildlife, and Calauit Game Reserve, among others

Assessment            : Within the first year of martial law, Marcos created the DAP Task Force Human Settlements from which Human Settlements Regulatory Commission, Human Settlements Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Human Settlements, and the nationwide MHS Livelihood Centers evolved. His leadership was committed to a viable environment and a human habitat for the Filipino people and the Task Force was instructed to formulate a national human settlements program.

This commitment served as the seed of various successfully implemented policies and programs that remain relevant to this day. To name a few:

·       the creation of the Metropolitan Manila Commission that integrated the various tasks of delivering basic services to the growing population of the expanded Greater Manila Area;

·       the Tondo Foreshore Development Program that transformed one of Southeast Asia’s largest slum colonies, together with Kapitbahayan, the pilot community in Dagatdagatan;

·        The upgrading of the depressed areas in Tatalon Estate and Bagong Barrio;

·       the 732 Bagong Lipunan Sites and Services (BLISS) units in 7 sites (as of 1981);

·       the 70 KADIWA food centers and rolling stores in Metro Manila cities and towns;

·       the University of Life and (then)Ministry of Educations’ Expanded Textbook and Adult Literacy Programs and intensified use of mass media for education (Sine Klase audio-visual presentations on various subject matters).

·       the Skills Development Programs (with San Miguel Corporation and Delta Motors Corporation as major partners);

·       15 new parks and 230  new playgrounds for Metro Manila, the Palarong Bagong Lipunan and the Gintong Alay Program that trained local athletes for international competition;

·       the construction of vital portions of the metropolitan road network (roads, bridges, interchanges, etc.); and

·       the 10-year Flood Control and Drainage Program  that  provided for the pumping stations. flood gates and river control works that remain in use today

The election of local officials on 30 January  1980 was the second electoral exercise. Marcos supporters formed the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), a new political party with members from the Liberal and Nacionalist parties. The KBL dominated all the elections held during the Marcos era. However, new political parties emerged to fight the KBL such as the Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN) founded in 1978 by the opposition group headed by Ninoy Aquino. While LABAN had a 21-man ticket in Metro Manila for the 1978 IBP elections, KBL candidates, headed by Imelda R. Marcos,  prevailed in the elections.

Last Term (1981-1987) During his oath taking on 30 June 30 1981  at the Quirino Grandstand, Marcos announced the establishment of a "New Republic of the Philippines”.

Program/Action       : The lifting of martial law: Marcos issued Proc. No. 2045 on 17 January 17 1981 that lifted the 8-year, 3-month and 26-day old martial law period in the country “to show to the Filipinos and the world that the situation in the Philippines was already back to normal … that the government had already been functioning smoothly under the 1973 Constitution”.

Assessment            : At this point, Marcos’ critics often and openly declared that despite lifting martial law, Marcos remained powerful and continued to practice authoritarian rule.

Marcos clinched the 1981 presidential election with 88 percent of total votes cast beating Alejo Santos of the Nacionalista Party.  Ninoy Aquino, Jr. was in exile abroad. The Liberal Party did not participate in the election.

Program/Action       : Creation of the 5-man Agrava Fact-Finding Board to investigate the Aquino Assasination (October 1983) that identified 25 military men and a civilian as participants in the plot, namely: AFP Chief of Staff Gen. F. C. Ver, Maj. Gen. P. C.  Olivas of the METROCOM and Air Force Gen. L. Custodio. President Marcos referred the Agrava reports to the Sandiganbayan for a trial that started Feb 1985 and in December of  the same year, the Sandiganbayan ruled that the 26 accused were innocent and that Galman, who was hired by the communist s, killed Aquino.

Assessment            : Using fake travel documents, Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines and was gunned  down at the MIA tarmac. Rolando Galman was pointed to as Aquino's "assassin." The assassination of Aquino was reported to have awakened the Filipinos to the perceived evils of Marcos as a dictator. Millions of Filipinos who joined the funeral march “to mourn for the death of an intelligent leader and to express their feelings against Marcos.”

The assassination transformed Ninoy Aquino into an "idol". The battlecry "Ituloy ang laban ni Ninoy!" and "Ninoy, hindi ka nag-iisa" were heard from anti-Marcos demonstrations that erupted in Metro Manila and other urban centers in the country. Students, workers, farmers, businessmen, professionals and the religious joined the demos together with the cause-oriented groups, e.g. August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), Justice for Aquino, Justice for All (JAJA), and the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).

Program/Action       : Economic Recovery - Launching of a national economic recovery program comprising of  negotiations with foreign creditors (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund), to restructure the country's loans.

Launching of the Sariling Sikap livelihood program (1984) where Marcos ordered cost-cutting in government expenditure to be able to save money to finance the livelihood program.

Assessment            : The Aquino assassination gave Marcos a bad image abroad. Public opinion in the U. S. went against Marcos, for which reason, it is reported that US Pres. Reagan cancelled his state visit to the Philippines.

While the investigation and trial of the Aquino Assassination was on going, there was a slow down of economic activities caused largely by high world oil prices. Philippine traditional exports such as sugar and coconut oil experienced sharp price declines in the world market.

Program/Action       : Additional borrowings from the IMF.

Assessment            : Philippine foreign debt had ballooned to $26 billion and a big portion of annual revenues were allocated to interest payments. The worst publicity on the matter read: “Ang apo ng apo mo, kapag ipinanganak, may utang na!”

The wave of anti-Marcos demonstrations in the country drove the tourists away and  the political troubles hindered the entry of foreign investments. Foreign banks also stopped granting loans to the Philippine government while foreign creditors started demanding payment of the debts that were already past due.

Without an adequate supply of foreign exchange, the industry sector could no longer import raw materials needed in production. Many factories had to close shop of cut their production because of the difficulty of obtaining raw materials. Many workers were laid off.

The recovery program strongly appeared to have failed as the economy was reported to have continued in its decline such that a negative economic growth was experienced in the country beginning in 1984.

The failure of the recovery program may be attributed to the lack of credibility of Marcos and the widespread graft and corruption in government where many officials stole the people's money by the millions through anomalous transactions. Marcos, himself, was accused as having spent large sums of government funds for the victory of KBL candidates.

Program/Action       : Holding of  the snap presidential election in February 1986 as Marcos believed that be needed “a new mandate from the people to carry out a national economic recovery program successfully”.

[A majority of the opposition and other anti-Marcos groups nominated Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino as the common opposition candidate for president and she did run under the Cory Aquino for President Movement (CAPM), organized by Joaquin "Chino" Roces. Upon the advice of Cardinal Sin, former Sen. Laurel ran as Aquino's vice-presidential candidate.

On 15 February,  the admittedly KBL-dominated Batasan proclaimed Ferdinand Marcos and Arturo Tolentino as the duly elected president and vice-president , respectively where the official Batasan tabulation showed that Marcos obtained 10,807,197 votes as against Aquino's 9,291,715 votes.]

Assessment            : As the economy continued to decline, the IMF, World Bank, the U. S. and the country's foreign creditors pressured Marcos to institute reforms as a condition for the grant of additional economic and financial help.

The charges of fraud in the snap election destroyed the image of Marcos and his government abroad. Based on the reports of foreign newsmen and on what they saw on television, many people in the Philippines and abroad felt that Marcos cheated and was not the legitimate President of the Philippines. If not him, then it must be Aquino!

The same fraudulent election weakened U.S. support for the Marcos regime especially with U.S. election observer Sen. Lugar’s report to  Pres. Reagan that "the fraudulent election casts doubts on the legitimacy of Marcos' re-election”.

Mrs. Corazon Aquino, believing that she won, refused to accept Marcos’ election and,  with support from the Catholic Church and many other groups,  launched a nationwide civil disobedience

And then, there was EDSA … Despite Marcos promise to look into the grievances of the Reformists (RAM) who brought about EDSA I, Enrile and Ramos refused Marcos’ offer saying that “ the issue was no longer the reforms but the legitimacy of Marcos' rule”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Ph. D., “Can We Feed Ourselves? Rapid Population Growth and Rice Policy in the Philippines”, 2004,  AIM Policy Center
2. Author unknown,  Political History: Presidential Administrations, photocopy
3. Grace Ranjo, Metro Planning Gains Under Martial Law, Metropolitan Visions: A Journal on Urban Planning, Vol. II, No. 3, 1981

Mrs. Corazon S. Aquino

Program/Action       : Issuance of Proclamation No. 3 that proclaimed her government as a revolutionary government; suspended the 1973 Constitution; promulgation of provisional “Freedom Constitution” ; dissolution of  the Batasang Pambansa; reorganization of the Supreme Court

Assessment            : It did not come as a surprise to Aquino government watchers that the reorganized Supreme Court declared the Aquino government as “not merely a de facto government but in fact a de jure government, whose legitimacy had been affirmed by the community of nations”. [May 1986]

Program/Action       : Enactment of a new Philippine Constitution; a 48-member Constitutional Commission drafted a new Constitution that was approved in a plebiscite in February of 1987.

Assessment            : Both the “Freedom Constitution” and the 1987 Constitution authorized President Aquino to exercise legislative power until such time a new Congress was organized in July of 1987. For his exercise of legislative powers, Marcos was branded a dictator. Marcos rested on the concept of “constitutional authoritarianism”. So did Aquino, as she had the “Freedom Constitution” and the 1987 Constitution to back her rule. Marcos and Aquino were “constitutional authorities”, therefore.

Program/Action       : Introduction of the Kabisig movement, a partnership between LGUs and NGOs: construction of schoolhouses in many provinces; water projects, rice farming, reforestation, etc. undertaken by governors and local NGOs.

                              :  Launching of People Power Movement (21 Aug 2003/20th anniversary of Ninoy's assassination) to honor Filipinos have served the country well, 20 groups who have brought health, livelihood, education, housing, and hope and genuine people empowerment to the poor, the neglected, the abuse and the oppressed were selected.

Assessment            : The Kabisig movement is a “firefighter approach” to the many and various needs of the Philippine’s growing population. While the Marcos presidency may not be criticized as not visionary, the post-Marcos leaders were expected to, in a manner of  speaking, do better, challenged and emboldened as they are by the perceived empty government coffers (scarce resources) and the renewed image of the country and the Filipino people to foreign investors and funding institutions (People Power, Hallelujah!).

Program/Action       : Promulgation of  (1) Family Code of 1987, which reformed the civil law on family relations, and (2) Administrative Code of 1987, which reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government.

Assessment            : The Family Code of 1987 elevated the status of women, especially as married individuals with the right to maintain their “maiden names” after marriage. Child protection was also enhanced and social welfare and child protection agencies no find legal basis in undertaking programs to further protect minors from exploitation, trafficking and illegal travel.

Program/Action       : Signing of the 1991 Local Government Code, which (further) devolved national government powers to local government units; the new Code enhanced the power of local government units to enact local taxation measures, and assured them of a share of the national internal revenue. 

Assessment            : The 1991 Local Government Code merely continued the initiatives in the Local Government Code of 1983 where all legal instruments pertaining to local governance at various levels were codified or collated. The latter is significant for its intention to reverse the decades-old trend of centralization of authority in the national capital (Metro Manila). The 1991 Code greatly empowered LGUs beyond enacting local taxation measures, and assuring them of a share of the national internal revenue. The readiness of LGUs to act in a corporate manner was questioned: Are LGUs capacitated to “generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development plans, program objectives and priorities” of their jurisdictions? But Sen. A. Pimentel’s response was that there is a strong clamor, there is a strong need,  and,  if not now, “kailan pa”? Aquino, by signing the 1991 Local Government Code, provided a “strong and definitive step towards real local autonomy” in the league of other countries at that time who believed that local autonomy (accompanied by devolution and decentralization) for LGUs was the key to national growth.

Program/Action       : Thwarting of military insurrections (1986-1987 and 1989 coup attempts mostly instigated by the RAM, a group of mid-rank officers linked with Defense Sec. Enrile and soldiers loyal to ex- Pres. Marcos; Cabinet government reorganization  "to give the government a chance to start all over again.": removal of Defense Sec. J. P. Enrile (1986), Labor Sec.  A. Sanchez (a perceived leftist) and Ex. Sec. J. Arroyo (another perceived leftist); across-the-board wage increases for soldiers.

[The first 5 attempts were either quashed before they were put in operation, or repelled with minimal or no violence. The 6^th, staged on August 28, 1987, left 53 people dead and over 200 wounded (Noynoy Aquino).  The 7^th and final attempt, during the first week of January 1989, ended with 99 dead (including 50 civilians) and 570 wounded.]

Assessment  : Even as Aquino’s allies ruled Congress, there was “considerable opposition from communist insurgency and right-wing soldiers who instituted several coup attempts …”.

Sanchez’ dismissal was believed to be a compromise measure in light of a key (rightist) rebel demand to cleanse the Cabinet of left-leaning members. After the August 1987 coup attempt, the Aquino government was assessed as “veered to the right”, and tacitly authorizing the establishment of armed quasi-military groups to combat the communist insurgency. It was also widely believed that General Ramos, who remained loyal to Aquino, emerged as “the second most powerful person in government following the failed coup”.

The coup attempts collectively impaired the Aquino government, even though it survived, as it indicated political instability, an unruly military, and diminished the confidence of foreign investors in the Philippine economy. The 1989 coup alone resulted in combined financial losses of between 800 million to 1 billion pesos.

Program/Action       : Expansion of Non-formal Education; E.O. No. 117, 1987, created the Bureau of Nonformal Education; ddeclaration of 1990-1999 as the Decade of Education for All (EFA), along with several other countries.

Assessment            : The 1987 or “Cory Constitution” mandated the encouragement of non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent and out-of-school study programs particularly that respond to community needs. The Bureau of Non-formal Education under the Department of Education has since been renamed Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) and continues to advocate Alternative Learning and train teacher/facilitator and alternative learning system providers.

Program/Action       : Enactment  of R. A. No. 6657 “The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law” or CARL (1988);  as head of the Presidential Land Reform Committee, Aquino issued Pres. Proc. No. 131 and E. O. No. 229 (July 22, 1987) that out-lined her land reform program, and expanded land reform to sugar lands; her new agrarian reform policy authorized the redistribution of agricultural lands to tenant-farmers from land-owners, who were paid in exchange by the government just compensation and allowed to retain not more than five hectares of land.

Corporate landowners were also allowed under the law to “voluntarily divest a proportion of their capital stock, equity or participation in favor of their workers or other qualified beneficiaries”, in lieu of turning over their land to the government for redistribution; constitutionality of said law was upheld by the Supreme Court (1989), characterizing the agrarian reform policy as “a revolutionary kind of expropriation.”; the Aquino land reform program included the so-called “stock transfer scheme” option, which would allow landlords to distribute shares of stocks to be issued to beneficiaries through a stock distribution plan, in lieu of subdividing haciendas and distributing small lots to tenants or small farmers; establishment of profit-sharing or “Stock Distribution Option (SDO)”; landowners were allowed to retain up to five hectares plus three hectares for each heir aged at least 15.

Assessment            : The CARL enabled the TADECO, in 1985, to evade the order of the Regional Trial Court of Manila to distribute the Hacienda Luisita to its tenants. The SDO proved, for a while, as an effective tool. Controversies eventually centered on the landholdings of Aquino, who inherited from her parents the 6,453 hectare- Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac (owned through TADECO) Opting for the stock distribution option TADECO incorporated  Hacienda Luisita  in order to effect the distribution of stocks to the hacienda farmer-tenants. Ownership of the agricultural portions of the hacienda were transferred to the new corporation, which in turn distributed its shares of stocks to the farmers.

The arrangement withstood until 2006, when the Department of Agrarian Reform revoked the stock distribution scheme implemented in Hacienda Luisita, and ordered instead the redistribution of a large portion of the property to the tenant-farmers.[ The Department had stepped into the controversy when in 2004, violence erupted over the retrenchment of workers in the Hacienda, eventually leaving seven people dead.

All told, Mrs. Aquino’s term was not only rocked by the military insurrections. A series of “world-class” natural disasters also occurred in the country during her watch: (1) the 1990 Luzon earthquake, that left some 1,600 dead, mostly  in Baguio City; (2) the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, the  2^nd largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century, where some 300 people died, and has left widespread long-term devastation of agricultural lands in Central Luzon; (3) Tropical Storm Thelma / Typhoon Uring, the deadliest typhoon in Philippine history; and (4) massive flooding in Ormoc City in November 1991, where 6,000 were killed by high waters and landslides. In addition to these major disasters, there was also a severe power crisis that crippled the economy.

Significantly, the presence of United States military bases in the Philippines, a situation that then Sen. Estrada has long advocated against, came to an end during Mrs. Aquino’s term. The role of the tremors, lava flows and ash fall of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the accelerated departure of the Americans from Subic and Clark cannot be undermined.

REFERENCES: 1. Author unknown,  Political History: Presidential Administrations, photocopy

                           2. Department of Education, “Alternative Learning System”

Pres. Fidel Ramos     Philippines 2000

Framework of governance: (1) peace and stability; (2) economic growth and sustainable development; (3) energy and power generation; (4) environmental protection; and (5) a streamlined bureaucracy.

Program/Action       : Social Reform Agenda (SRA): Campaign against poverty; equitable distribution of wealth by expanding access to basic services, economic opportunities and governance (to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged geographical areas)

Assessment            : To implement the SRA, various high-level sectoral summits and multi-sectoral consultations were conducted including those on housing, Metro Manila criminality, employment, water, energy, human and ecological security, transport infrastructure, even a summit on electricity wholesaling and retailing.  In the end, the SRA largely remained a wish list. The non-achievement of objectives hinged on several factors and to name a few: (1) local executives in the target areas lacked deep commitment thus failing to act knowledgeably and meaningfully; (2) the target beneficiaries (urban poor) were unable to avail of funds due to stringent requirements, e.g. DTI qualification requirements and 7-12 % interest rates, Landbank’s funds could only be accessed through the People’s Credit Finance Corporation, etc.; (3) lack of focus on urban areas like Metro Manila, where the urban poor abound. The summits nevertheless served good purpose as LGUs and concerned public agencies were instructed, for their community development programs to, henceforth, consider (1) the interrelatedness of population, environment and peace; (2) promote the use of environment-friendly technologies; and (3) maximize women’s contributions to and benefits from socio-economic development efforts.

Within his first year, Ramos’ economic targets were significant - GNP increased by more that 5% from the preceding year, the inflation rate was down to 5. 1%, and more than 700,000 new jobs were created. But these economic indicators fail to tell the whole story.

Program/Action       : Comprehensive Employment Strategy Program (covering agriculture, industry and services, overseas workers, and public sector; and industrial relations and human resources)

:  National and Regional Action Agenda for Productivity

                                 : Civil service reforms (career pathing/career advancement program for

                                   LGU employees, system to measure and recognize performance of

                                   public agencies and employees)

: TESDA education, training, and certification action plan for skilled

                                   workers for SMEs

: Establishment of SME Desks in LGU Business Development and

  Investment units to facilitate  component sub-contracting between SMEs

  and big firms.

Assessment            : Employment and productivity were hand-in-hand buzz words during the Ramos watch. The need for the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Program was brought about by various negative and uneven figures in sectoral performance, the net effect of which was extremely low per capita share in economic growth, decline in consumption and investment, low employment and high underemployment rates, decreasing real wages and low labor productivity. What, perhaps, saved the day for the Ramos administration was the emerging overseas contract worker (OCW) phenomenon, particularly the increase in OCW figures and amounts of remittances. It is little wonder that,  in the state of the economy graph that Jun Lozada revealed recently, the country’s “Reserves” actually represented OCW remittances. The role of investment (foreign or local) remained critical throughout the Program’s implementation but it was admitted that the concept of preferred firms, as in the case of Board of Investment projects, remained under close scrutiny. The Program also served good purpose in stressing the importance of effective population policies, preferably a decline in population. Improving the “equity aspect” was also stressed, particularly redressing the inequity among geographical areas while stimulating growth centers in the various regions. The lahar-damaged Central Luzon region was a special area of concern. Minimal government intervention was strongly prescribed where government planning was to be a completely indicative and policy-based, to guide and not to restrict the private sector into those areas which might be considered preferable.

Program/Action       : Formulation of the Physical Development Framework Plan for Metropolitan (1996-2016)

Assessment            : Ramos, at the Metropolitan Manila Development Forum in 1996, stated that the nation’s capital region (Metro Manila) must “be envisioned beyond its boundaries … should consider itselfas the center of an ever-widening polygon of growth opportunities … should develop itself to become the hub of Asia and the Pacific”. Very Imeldific! But aren’t they anyway related (by affinity). And so Metro Manila’s position as the leading center of economic, social, political, and cultural life of the nation is affirmed and this long-term physical framework plan laid down mechanisms with which to attain the vision of “a humane and world-class metropolis renowned for its livability, economic vitality and sociocultural exuberance”.

These mechanisms, broadly stated, are: setting of urban development specific development policy zones were allowable developments must match existing conditions and carrying capacities of the various areas and an interregional framework for growth that identified cooperation and complementary strategies for interregional growth. It is unfortunate that while the plan remains legally in force, having been approved by the Metro Manila Mayors Council, it remains to be fully implemented by the concerned agencies in Metro Manila. 

Program/Action       : Providing new impetus to the Moral Recovery Program thru integration of

principles of Human and Ecological Security namely: people empowerment, sustainable development and global competitiveness. (Human and Ecological Security = satisfaction of basic needs, maintenance of ecological security, guarantee of basic freedoms, and exercise of choice or empowerment)

Assessment            : As mentioned at the start of this paper, various high-level sectoral summits and multi-sectoral consultations were conducted, including one on human and ecological security, for which the Ramos administration provided uniform, working definitions.

 

Human security was defined as “freedom from deprivation of basic needs of food, shelter, health care, education, employment and the right to development, most likely the right to share in the “fruits of development” – in whichever way Juan de la Cruz perceives as his share in the country’s growth. Ecological security, on the other hand, was closely linked to the concept of sustainable development - “development that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the needs of future generations” (World Commission on Environment and Development).

 

While the term “sustainable development” is often repeated, to this day, in presidential statements, development plans (as a guiding principle) and in programs for the environment, Ramos can lay claim to being the president who has exploited the most the concept as a guiding principle and a prime consideration in development planning for the country. The Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) put together the policy agenda - Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development – that integrated the concerns of human and ecological security and the appropriate program of action through a process involving all levels of government and civil society.

Ramos, for whatever perceived or factual role he plays to day in the national scene, may be remembered as the president who acted the most to preserve the environment, if only to continue the legacy of Marcos consisting of institutions, legislations, systems and programs that remain relevant and enforced at present, e.g. Imelda Marcos’ Pasig River renewal, air quality monitoring, environmental impact assessment, etc.

Area	Leading Achievements
1. Waste disposal     projects and technical     assistance to LGUs     and other concerned     groups	Ecological Waste Management Program under which LGUs, communities and the private sector are provided technical assistance to promote and speed up the transfer of information and technology on the proper management and disposal of solid wastes; 32 pilot waste disposal projects on composting and recycling nationwide; San Mateo and Carmona Landfills and the Las Pinas Transfer Station operationalized by the MMDA to address the waste disposal problem in Metro Manila. a. Handbook on Solid Waste Management for Local Government b. Guidelines for the Solid Waste Management Master Plan c. Criteria for the Selection of a Potential Sanitary Landfill Site d. Manual on Sanitary Landfill e. Sanitary Landfill Design and Construction Manual f. Leachate Stabilization Ponds Design and Construction. g. Criteria for the Evaluation of Solid Waste Management Projects Proposed Under the BOT Scheme h. Scoping Guidelines for the Conduct of EIA for Thermal Conversion/Waste-to-Energy (Incineration) Facility
2  Intensified Clean Air     Campaign	a. LGUs’ Comprehensive Anti-Smoke Belching Program; revision of the IRR on the Anti-smoke Belching Law (PD 1081) b. Promotion of the use of lead-free gasoline c. Air quality monitoring
3. Protected Major Bodies     of Water	a. Pasig River (Presidential Task Force on Pasig River Rehabilitation); b. Laguna Lake and Tributaries (Sagip Ilog/River Rehabilitation Program for the nine (9) priority river systems in the Laguna Lake basin; c. Boac River. Remediation funds for the damage by Marcopper’s mine tailings (in partnership with the private sector as well as the concerned LGUs and communities) drawn from the Environmental Guarantee Fund established by Marcopper Company. d. Pasak River. Removal of illegal fishpond dikes and structures that caused the flooding of San Fernando, Pampanga e. Pansipit River. Dismantling of illegal aquaculture in Pansipit River to prevent lake pollution and save endemic species such as maliputo and tawilis.
4. Clean and Green      Program	Annual searches for the cleanest and greenest (and dirtiest) LGUs and bodies of water.
5. Environmental Impact                                      Statement System	Streamlining of IRR and reduction of processing time for ECCs; war against industrial polluters through Cease and Desist Orders
6. Development of      Smokey Mountain	Development of  79 hectares reclaimed land to induce economic growth and provide employment opportunities to the residents of Smokey Mountain - alternative livelihood to scavenging
7. New Measures to Protect the Environment	Imposed Emission and Effluent Charges. Adopted Color-coding for Industrial Firms. Comprehensive Ecological Labeling Project. Ban on the Entry of Toxic Wastes

Program/Action       : Signing of peace agreements with military rebels, signing of interim peace agreement with MNLF; diffusion of threat of conflict as regards the Spratlys

Assessment            : Even as reports of military offensives continued during the Ramos watch, several peace accords were endorsed by rebel chiefs and government representatives.  The country’s claim to the Spratlys was, although not totally shelved, were discussed, at  top levels, in the context of the interests of the East Asia Growth - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine (EAGA-BIMP); there was no widespread perception of “selling out to the Chinese”.  

Program/Action       : Boulevard 2000 Project: Formerly part of the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Reclamation Project, upon its completion shall consist of 1,600 hectares of reclaimed property along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from the CCP, Manila Financial Center in Buendia (Pasay City) up to the completed Coastal Road in Las Piñas City. The projects lies in the jurisdiction of 4 cities: Manila, Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas.

Assessment            : Within the Boulevard 2000 Project area may now be found the GSIS headquarters, the Philippine Senate and SM Mall of Asia. Also in the area is the infamous Amari reclamation area whose sale (“the grandmother of all land scams”), together with the Centennial Park expenditures in Pampanga, was a source of embarrassment to Mr. Ramos.  Nevertheless, Boulevard 2000 remains a noteworthy flagship project of the Ramos administration as it gave the national government the opportunity to influence regional development along the southwest portions of Metro Manila as well as to improve the urban functions of the whole metropolis as it now serves as a growth nucleus with the planned land use containing mixed uses – high-rise and high-end residential, commercial, institutional, hotels, and greens and open spaces. (Ranjo)

References   : 1. Author unknown, Political History: Presidential Administrations, photocopy

                      2. Social Reform Agenda: Implementing Mechanisms

                        3. Comprehensive Employment Strategy Program Secretariat, CESP:  

                            Hanapbuhay Sagot sa Kahirapan, September 1995

  4. Mary Grace B. Ranjo, The Boulevard 2000 Project: A New Frontier for Metro

      Manila, 2^nd International Conference Urban Development:A Challenge for

      Frontier Regions, Negev, 1998

  5. DENR, Report on the Environment

Kabataan Program is a spin-off from the President's Summer Youth Work Program (PSYWP). A year-round youth work program of the government in support to the former President Fidel V. Ramos' vision of Philippines 2000 Program. It encourages high school and college students and out-of-school youth (OSYs) to engage in constructive and productive activities for the entire year.

OBJECTIVES

Instill among the youth a sense of awareness of the vision, policies, and programs set forth by the administration for the country and people; Provide the youth, especially the out-of-school youth (OSYs) with alternatives which will install the values of discipline, hardwork, community service, team work, volunteerism and the productive undertakings; Provide training and financial assistance to the youth to support their educational and career development needs; Contribute to nation building.

COVERAGE

NGAs, GOCCs, LGUs, Sangguniang Kabataan, and the private sector.

The identified lead agencies will coordinate and oversee the implementation of their respective program modules.

CLIENTELE

The program is open nationwide to the four (4) sub-sectors of the youth who are 15-30 years old.

• Special youth (SY)
• Working Youth (WY)
• Out-of-School Youth (OSY)
• In-School Youth (ISY)

Angat Pinoy 2004: The Estrada Presidency

Vision of the Economic Recovery Program: A prosperous and poverty-free Philippines.

Program       Lowering of lending interest rates (without undermining the independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)

·       Combination of borrowing restraints by the fiscal sector and the easing of

monetary policies by the Bangko Sentral. 

Assessment : In the light of the 1998 Asian crisis, as our Asian neighbors floundered and sank in the sea of recession, the Philippines, in contrast, managed a modest but positive growth of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) in our Gross National Product. However, our Gross Domestic Product dipped by one-half of one percent (0.5%) during the year. In the first quarter of this year, our GNP abruptly surged upward by 2% and our GDP by 1.2%. Remittances from overseas workers kept GNP growth at positive rates.

Single-digit inflation rate, a 1997 target, was achieved in 1998 where the inflation rate was at a full-year average of 9.7%. It improved further to a 6-month average of 8.4% in the first half of 1999. In June alone, inflation was down to 5.8%.

Program       : Strengthening of the Philippine Peso.

·       By leaving the market alone and the market responded with a show of

confidence: it sent billions of dollars of loans, investments, and export orders to the Philippines. Occasional Bangko Sentral intervention only to prevent wild swings and to forestall speculative attacks, not to set the trends or levels of the exchange rate.

Assessment  : At start of 1998, the peso was at an all-time low of P45.42 to $1. At the beginning of the Estrada presidency, it was at P42.04 but has since strengthened dramatically where it was stabilized within a range of P37 to P39 to the dollar. 

Program       : Improvements in tax collection, tax structure, and tax laws. 

Assessment : Despite the Asian crisis’ effects on tax collections, total revenues amounted to P462 billion in 1998, of which tax revenues constituted P416 billion, or P4 billion higher than in 1997. For the first four months of 1999, BIR collection was  P126 billion, or 3.2% higher than in 1998. Customs collections amounted to P23.1 billion, and non-tax revenues, P14.1 billion. 

Program       : Reduction of government deficit through (1) Scrapping of “forced cut-backs”; (2)  delivery of  public services at adequate levels; (3) Vigorous pump-priming to counteract the slowdown in private consumption and investment expenditures; (4) Effective governance - right policies, support from competent and dedicated Cabinet; (5) Respect for the free market; (6) Sound management of resources, and (6) Timely action .

Assessment : Believing that (and acting accordingly) “a time of growth and threats of inflation calls for balanced budgets or surpluses, to prevent further inflation while a time of recession and deflation calls for budget deficits, to jump-start a recovery”, the budget deficit increased to P50 billion (or 1.8% of GNP) as planned . In the first five months of 1999, again as planned, there was a deficit of P45.3 Billion, still within the 1999 programmed deficit of P68.4 billion (or 2.2% of target GNP).

Program       : Recovery of the country’s international credit standing through effective governance translated into “billions of dollars of inflows in medium and long-term loans from bilateral sources, banks and financial institutions; from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank; from Japan’s Export-Import Bank and Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund; and from the International Monetary Fund, among others.”; Improvement of export rates to double-digit figures; achievement of balance of current accounts in surplus and of high gross international reserves (then amounting to $14 billion); successful implementation of monetary policy through the turbulence of the past two years of the Asian crisis. 

Assessment  : A problem of the Estrada presidency as was how to finance the deficit. Borrowing locally would have raised interest rates at a time when a lowering was desired. Foreign borrowing is costly. Monetary expansion would have triggered inflation and a run on the peso. Foreign exchange controls were untenable. Raising taxes or cutting government expenditures would have led to a deep recession.   The Estrada economic team (Diokno, et al) made use of substantial funds – the Foreign Currency Deposit Units, or FCDUs – from which short-term and inexpensive borrowings were made.  In doing so, interest rates, so with the inflation rate, were lowered.  A balanced budget in the year 2002 and surpluses thereafter was envisioned but then there was EDSA II.

Program       : Lowering of unemployment rate from 13.3% in Abril 1998 to 11.8% in April 1999.

Assessment : ; By the end of Estrada’s reduced term,  1.6 M jobs had been created.

Program       : Poverty Alleviation Program (toward ultimate eradication, through total structural change), “total economic and social programs”; shift of focus of the government towards agriculture and the development of the rural areas, where two-thirds of the poor live:

-        Agricultural modernization: Adequate funding for food production, food security,

irrigation, farm-to-market roads, at post-harvest facilities;

-        Expanded linkages between farms and markets, and between rural and urban areas,

through roads, power, transport, telecommunications, and other infrastructure;

-        Agrarian reform:  Acceleration of the land redistribution processes;

Assessment  : In 1998, 20,000 hectares of irrigated lands were created, 250 kilometers of farm-to-market roads were built. The irrigated lands in 1998 totalling 47.2% was to be expanded to 63% in 2004.  But then, there was EDSA II …

In 1998, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, that aims to transform Philippine agriculture and fisheries into technologically advanced and globally competitive sectors was already in its initial implementation phase.  Estrada ordered that the importation of equipment, machinery, fertilizers, and other inputs of agriculture be allowed at (legal) zero tariff. The 2000 proposed budget was to provide a PhP21.8-billion fund to support the implementation of said law.

In the same year, 582 kilometers of roads and 10,069 lineal meters of bridges were built or upgraded.  Electricity was provided to 1,221 barangays while 165,000 new telephone lines were installed.  Targets include 100% of national arterial roads paved and 100% of obridges made permanent by 2004 together with the upgrading of all Philippine ports to international standards, and the development of  36 feeder ports. 

Distribution of over 266,000 hectares of land to 175,000 landless farmers had been accomplished by Estrada’s second year and it was targeted that,  by 2004, all mandated land redistribution for the poor would have been done.

Program         : Social Development Program 

-        Restructuring of our health programs, lower priced  medicines and preferential medical

attention to the indigents;

-        Additional funds for LGUs - PhP131.2 billion, or 20.1%, of the PhP 651-billion 2000

budget - consonant with the to implement the devolution of powers and functions from the national to the local governments;

-        Increased funding for education – PhP 118 billion for 2000 – for more classrooms,

desks, books, and teachers and in the longer term, high over-all standards of excellence of the \entire educational system;

-        More resources for socialized housing;

-        More resources and revitalized programs for the welfare of women, the youth, the

indigenous communities, the disabled, and the elderly, and other disadvantaged sectors of our society; Population planning (as Philippine population growth rate was then highest in Southeast Asia); - Protection of  the environment to ensure that sustainable development;

Assessment  : In addition to the DOH and LGU health officials, Estrada was ably assisted by Dr. Loi Estrada in effecting community health improvement and preventive medicine programs. Low-priced, made-in-India generics came about during Estrada’s watch. Estrada’s on-going outreach activities all over the country are largely medical missions.

From July 1998 to March 1999, 127,886 housing units for some 74,000 households were distributed with long-term goals of decent housing for teachers, policemen and soldiers. 

-        Issuance of Small-Denominated government bonds that allow small savers to contribute

to national development while earning interest at higher rates than the banks would pay them (BSP, DoF, and the SEC with the private sector to develop and increase the sophistication and reach of our capital markets);  

-        Tax reforms to make our financial markets more efficient and to bring down transaction

costs; documentary stamp tax requirements on quick-turnover transactions to be abolished; . gross receipts tax on banks and financial institutions to be removed, all these to reduce intermediation costs; as well as the acceleration of availment of write-offs on loan loss reserves;

-        Promotion of investments, both domestic and foreign - reorienting preferences towards

industries, enterprises and technologies that employ people as against those that require capital.

-        Promotion of small and medium-scale industries; DRIVE or Developing Rural Industries

and Village Enterprises; "unblocking" of investments for small and medium-scale industries, specially in the rural areas through programs that will open up and make markets more efficient: whether by legislation, by policy and regulation revamps, by focused infrastructure construction, etc.

Assessment  : SMEs are a logical recourse, considering that we are a labor-abundant and a capital-short country. “Unblocking” programs of the Estrada presidency would eliminate the legal obstacles and those in the development landscape that impede the spontaneous flow of investments and technology into industries. According to Estrada, all these “shifts” to eliminate poverty  were to take place in a free market environment where all investments in industries, whether large or small, upstream or downstream, capital- or labor-intensive, will be welcome. But special attention will be placed on Investments create jobs, jobs that provide both income and dignity, jobs that are decisive eliminators of poverty.  

-        Envrironmental protection through sustainable development

Assessment  : In addition to creating the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program to manage Metro Manila’s major waterway, the other landmark achievement of the Estrada presidency was the passage by Congress of the Clean Air Act.  The rehabilitation of the Pasig River now serves as model for river rehabilitation through out the country.

-        Enabling Philippine industries to achieve global competitiveness;

-        Transformation of the power sector to a market-based, competitive industry (in order to

lower the costs of power), using, among others, the Omnibus Power Bill.

Assessment: Estrada prescribed the exploitation of our competitive advantage in high-tech industries, and that  science and technology policies be re-oriented towards satisfying the needs of the underprivileged (a form of socialization of science and technology). 

-        Charter change

Assessment: Estrada recognizes that certain provisions of the present Constitution “are obsolete and serve as deterrents to global competitiveness”.  He favors rewriting the Constitution but in a manner “that will not allow the incumbent officials to benefit from them”. 

-        Foreign policy that recognizes that our foreign relations is linked to developing our

hinterlands and that is based on three pillars: (1) the preservation of our territorial integrity and national security, (2) the promotion of development through economic diplomacy, and (3) the protection of the rights and welfare of our overseas nationals. 

Assessment  : The Philippines’ active participation, and leadership roles, in ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, the U.N. and other forums during the Estrada presidency are proofs of the abovementioned program. Estrada and the country were well represented in these for a were aimed at promoting stability, peace, free and fair trade, and other beneficial arrangements for the country, the region and the world.  

-        “good economics”

Assessment  : Estrada defined “good economics” by its success that will also benefit the middle and upper classes as well believing that the more incomes the poor earn, the greater the domestic market for business and that the more capable the poor are, the greater the supply of manpower needed by business.  So his “good economics” is not pro-poor but pro-poor, pro-middleclass and pro-rich, therefore “pro-all”  which is fair and democratic given that economic and social realities show that the existence of these income groups are “as perennial as the grass” but sound governance, especially good social programs, can level the playing field and provide quality of life regardless of income class. The Estrada presidency targeted the reduction in poverty incidence from 32% as of July 1999 to 25 - 28% by 2004. These figures would have meant lifting more than 3.9 million Filipinos out of poverty. In addition, Estrada desired that the initiatives to make the poverty reduction process irreversible (even beyond his term) be put in place. 

-        Use of the Marcos wealth in the service of the economy, of the people, and particularly

of the poor. 

Assessment  : Aware of the “the difference between the ideal and the feasible”, Estrada advocated the immediate utilization of the Marcos wealth so that its returns may sooner accrue to the Filipino people rather than interest accruing to the Marcoses and the foreign banks.

-        Anti-insurgency/rebellion

Assessment  : Estrada stressed that insurgency and rebellion sets back the war against poverty. He reminded the rebels that they have lost their leaders (now abroad and leading "insurgency by remote control"). He pleaded to rebel groups to lay down their arms inasmuch as they share the same cause, even claiming that, as far as  the welfare of the underprivileged, no one can beat Erap’s interest and good intentions for them. So they must unite. 

-        Anti-criminality and campaign against drugs and drug-related crimes

Assessment  : Estrada believed that crime and criminals must be crushed especially those involving use of prohibited drugs which, at that time, comprise 70 percent of all crimes committed. He also believed that one crime committed is one crime too many. This belief of his is a great source of his popularity as he has also exemplified in his film roles and in his mayoralty in San Juan. The heinous RCBC Laguna branch execution is being traced to the proliferation of drugs in the CALABARZON, a leading production outpost in the country.

-        Peace process

Assessment  : Estrada desired the achievement of peace without foreign interference; instead, that the peace process be achieved at community levels through the Local Peace Fora that  were established to directly address the issues and concerns that cause insurgency “on the ground”.

-        Development for Mindanao as country’s food basket (political stability

Assessment  : The proposed plebiscite on the expansion of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and the subsequent elections are large steps towards stability in that all-important island. 

-        Implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 15-year Modernization Program

Assessment  : Estrada aspired to make the Philippine military and police forces among the most modern in the region.  

-        Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for 1999 to 2004 (Angat Pinoy 2004) and

the 2000 PhP 621 B-budget

Assessment  : Estrada recognized the roles of Congress, Local Government Units, Non-Governmental Organizations People’s Organizations, and the private sector for the country’s survival, recovery, and growth. Angat Pinoy 2004 contained all the policies, plans and programs crafted to achieve the vision of the Economic Recovery Program of the Estrada Presidency: A prosperous and poverty-free Philippines. The events of January 2000 put on hold Angat Pinoy 2004.

Dr. Bernardo Villegas on Estrada’s men: "The economic team of the present administration during its first year has been superior in cohesiveness, effectiveness and clarity in purpose when compared to the equivalent teams during the first years of [the previous administrations] … President Estrada’s first economic team is among the best in Asia." - But there is no dearth of “good economic teams” and the best and brightest of Filipinos are being born every minute.  

 A final word, some in Estrada’s own words: As of 26 July 1999, Philippine conditions were “positive”, exports were surging up, rice and corn harvests were bountiful, the Philippine banking system was then “among the strongest in Asia”, the peso was stable, “interest rates were low and so was the inflation rates, GNP was expected “to grow by at least 2.4% and our GDP by at least 2%” , “the markets are freer, our institutions stronger, our policies more supportive of growth, our people better prepared than ever”.  It is now apparent that some of our countrymen had other desires for the country (or just for themselves) so they left no stone unturned so that they can shatter Estrada’s  dream.

Major reference: State of the Nation Address, 2^nd Session of the 11^th Congress, 26 July  1999