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The President is the head of state and of the government of the Republic of the Philippines. The president heads the Executive branch of the government, which includes the Cabinet, and is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.According to the current constitution ( 1987), the President must be at least 40 years of age, a Filipino citizen by birth, and is a resident of the Philippines for the past 10 years prior to election. The Filipinos directly elect the president who wins on a plurality vote. The president serves a term of six years and may no longer run for re-election, unless he/she becomes president through constitutional succession and have served for no more than 4 years as president.
1 The Presidents
The Philippines has had a total of fourteen presidents. Despite the differences in constitutions and government, the line of presidents is considered to be continuous. For instance, the current president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is considered the 14th president.
While the Philippines recognizes Aguinaldo to be the first president, he is not internationally recognized because the First Republic fell under the United States following the Philippine-American War. Manuel L. Quezon is considered to be the first president (and the first to win an election Aguinaldo was appointed) by the United States and in international diplomatic and political circles.
The Philippines had two presidents at one point during WW2 representing the two governments. One was Quezon representing Commonwealth government and the other was J. P. Laurel representing the Japanese-sponsored government.
1.1 First Republic ( 1899 1901)
1.2 Commonwealth of the Philippines ( 1935 1946)
- Manuel Luis M. Quezon : 1935 1941, 1941 1944Events World War II January January 4 The Battle of Monte Cassino begins. January 5 Murder of Danish playwright Kaj Munck January 17 British forces, in Italy, cross the Garigliano River. January 20 The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin; (died from Tuberculosis)
- Sergio Osmeρa, Sr. : 1944Events World War II January January 4 The Battle of Monte Cassino begins. January 5 Murder of Danish playwright Kaj Munck January 17 British forces, in Italy, cross the Garigliano River. January 20 The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin; 1946 (assumed the presidency on Quezon's death)
- Manuel A. Roxas : 1946
1.3 Second Republic ( 1943 1945)
1.4 Third Republic ( 1946 1973)
