Postcolonial period (1946–present)
Main articles: History of the Philippines (1946–65), History of the Philippines (1965–86), and History
of the Philippines (1986–present)
Efforts to end the Hukbalahap Rebellion began during Elpidio Quirino's term,[126] however, it was only
during Ramon Magsaysay's presidency was the movement suppressed.[127] Magsaysay's
successor, Carlos P. Garcia, initiated the Filipino First Policy,[128] which was continued by Diosdado
Macapagal, with celebration of Independence Day moved from July 4 to June 12, the date of Emilio
Aguinaldo's declaration,[129][130] and pursuit of a claim on the eastern part of North Borneo.[131][132]
In 1965, Macapagal lost the presidential election to Ferdinand Marcos. Early in his presidency,
Marcos initiated numerous infrastructure projects [133] but, together with his wife Imelda, was accused
of corruption and embezzling billions of dollars in public funds. [134] Nearing the end of his term,
Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972.[135][136] This period of his rule was characterized
by political repression, censorship, and human rights violations. [137]
On August 21, 1983, Marcos' chief rival, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated on
the tarmac at Manila International Airport. Marcos called a snap presidential election in 1986.
[138]
Marcos was proclaimed the winner, but the results were widely regarded as fraudulent. [139] The
resulting protests led to the People Power Revolution,[140] which forced Marcos and his allies to flee
to Hawaii, and Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino, was installed as president.[138][141]
The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo was the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
The return of democracy and government reforms beginning in 1986 were hampered by national
debt, government corruption, coup attempts,[142][143] a persistent communist insurgency,[144][145] and a
military conflict with Moro separatists.[146] The administration also faced a series of disasters,
including the sinking of the MV Doña Paz in December 1987[147] and the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo in June 1991.[148][149] Aquino was succeeded by Fidel V. Ramos, whose economic
performance, at 3.6% growth rate,[150][151] was overshadowed by the onset of the 1997 Asian financial
crisis.[152][153]
Ramos' successor, Joseph Estrada, was overthrown by the 2001 EDSA Revolution and succeeded
by his Vice President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on January 20, 2001.[154] Arroyo's 9-year
administration was marked by economic growth, [155] but was tainted by graft and political scandals.[156]
[157]
On November 23, 2009, 34 journalists and several civilians were killed in Maguindanao.[158][159]
Economic growth continued during Benigno Aquino III's administration, which pushed for good
governance and transparency.[160][161] In 2015, a clash which took place in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, resulting in
efforts to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law reaching an impasse.[162][163] Former Davao
City mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 presidential election, becoming the first president from
Mindanao.[164][165] Duterte launched an anti-drug campaign[166][167] and an infrastructure plan.[168][169] The
implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law led to the creation of the
autonomous Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.[170][171] In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached
the country.[172][173]
Postcolonial period (1946–present)
Main articles: History of the Philippines (1946–65), History of the Philippines (1965–86), and History
of the Philippines (1986–present)
Efforts to end the Hukbalahap Rebellion began during Elpidio Quirino's term,[126] however, it was only
during Ramon Magsaysay's presidency was the movement suppressed.[127] Magsaysay's
successor, Carlos P. Garcia, initiated the Filipino First Policy,[128] which was continued by Diosdado
Macapagal, with celebration of Independence Day moved from July 4 to June 12, the date of Emilio
Aguinaldo's declaration,[129][130] and pursuit of a claim on the eastern part of North Borneo.[131][132]
In 1965, Macapagal lost the presidential election to Ferdinand Marcos. Early in his presidency,
Marcos initiated numerous infrastructure projects [133] but, together with his wife Imelda, was accused
of corruption and embezzling billions of dollars in public funds. [134] Nearing the end of his term,
Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972.[135][136] This period of his rule was characterized
by political repression, censorship, and human rights violations. [137]
On August 21, 1983, Marcos' chief rival, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated on
the tarmac at Manila International Airport. Marcos called a snap presidential election in 1986.
[138]
Marcos was proclaimed the winner, but the results were widely regarded as fraudulent. [139] The
resulting protests led to the People Power Revolution,[140] which forced Marcos and his allies to flee
to Hawaii, and Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino, was installed as president.[138][141]
The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo was the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
The return of democracy and government reforms beginning in 1986 were hampered by national
debt, government corruption, coup attempts,[142][143] a persistent communist insurgency,[144][145] and a
military conflict with Moro separatists.[146] The administration also faced a series of disasters,
including the sinking of the MV Doña Paz in December 1987[147] and the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo in June 1991.[148][149] Aquino was succeeded by Fidel V. Ramos, whose economic
performance, at 3.6% growth rate,[150][151] was overshadowed by the onset of the 1997 Asian financial
crisis.[152][153]
Ramos' successor, Joseph Estrada, was overthrown by the 2001 EDSA Revolution and succeeded
by his Vice President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on January 20, 2001.[154] Arroyo's 9-year
administration was marked by economic growth, [155] but was tainted by graft and political scandals.[156]
[157]
On November 23, 2009, 34 journalists and several civilians were killed in Maguindanao.[158][159]
Economic growth continued during Benigno Aquino III's administration, which pushed for good
governance and transparency.[160][161] In 2015, a clash which took place in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, resulting in
efforts to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law reaching an impasse.[162][163] Former Davao
City mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 presidential election, becoming the first president from
Mindanao.[164][165] Duterte launched an anti-drug campaign[166][167] and an infrastructure plan.[168][169] The
implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law led to the creation of the
autonomous Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.[170][171] In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached
the country.[172][173]
