#october1due

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Ang Hot: The The Top 5 Philippine Presidents’ Hotness Level Based On Their Presidency

by: ANGELES | BANSI | TORRES | VELOSO

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the company and its management. (in short, pls don’t fight us) 

     The Philippine presidents is a crazy bunch. They can be considered as characters of a mockumentary on NBC. They are not only a wacky bunch, but they had different way of leading the country. Each of the presidents has unique terms. They all have achievements, laws implemented, and failures. However, they are also hot based on the contribution to the Philippine society. Here is our list of Philippine presidents’ hotness level based on his/her presidency.

5. Corazon Aquino (2.5 out of 5 Siling Labuyo)

     Cory Aquino is famous for being the first woman who became the president of the country. A prominent figure in the People Power Revolution that abolished the Marcos administration. She renewed the previous constitution and focused on the rights of the people that was not done in the previous administration. She signed the Family Code of 1987, a major civil law reform and the 1191 Local Government Code which organized the structure of the executive branch of the government. She initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy. She also promoted human rights and civil liberty. Despite being a housewife, she did not let anything hinder her from serving the country. She is truly an embodiment of courage and grace.

4. Fidel V. Ramos(3 out of 5 Siling Labuyo)

     The only Filipino officer to have very rank in the Philippine military, Fidel Ramos became the 12th president of the Philippines in 1992. During his time as the president, he was able to solve the power crisis in the country. From having brownouts often or having no electricity at all, he was able to solve this by constructing power plants in the country. The economy during his time boosted and the Philippine stock exchange became one of the best in the world that attracted many foreign investors. He was also able to make peace with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). During this time, the president was able to revive the country from the damages caused by the Marcos administration.

3. Carlos P. Garcia ( 3.5 out of 5 Siling Labuyo) 

     Before becoming the president, he was a lawyer, poet and a teacher. His focus was on the Filipinos rather than foreigners. He favored the rights of Filipino investors and Filipino-made products during his term as the president. This made him known for his “Filipino First Policy”. He also revived the Filipino culture seeing that the Filipinos have adopted Spanish and American cultures because of the colonization in the past. He was also one of the founders of the founders of the Association for Southeast Asia in 1963. Carlos P. Garcia was one of the few presidents who was incorrupt and contributed to the welfare of our economy.

2. Manuel L. Quezon ( 4.5 out of 5 Siling Labuyo) 

   He was the first president elected through a national election. He is known as the “Father of National Language” because he was the one who made Filipino as the national language. He was also the president who created the the National Council of Education. Also during his term, he initiated the rights of women to vote. Quezon fought for passage of the Tydings–McDuffie Act (1934), which provided for full independence for the Philippines 10 years after the creation of a constitution and the establishment of a Commonwealth government. During his term, he also extended a helping hand and authorized the admission of 1,300 Jewish refugees who had fled from the Nazi regime. Manuel L. Quezon was not only a great leader but also a compassionate human being towards his countrymen and also people from outside of his country.

1. Ramon Magsaysay ( 5 out of 5 Siling Labuyo) 

       Not only was he a fashion icon for being the first Filipino president to wear a Barong Tagalog in his inauguration, but his presidency is called the golden age of the Philippine government due to the lack of corruption. Also, during his term, the Philippines was ranked second in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries and isn’t that wonderful! His contribution to the country has been a great one. He intensified the defense against the Hukbalahap that led the movement to end. During his time, the army was well-respected and no one was terrified by them. He has great contributions to the economy, especially to the agricultural sector. During his presidency, the Philippines was part of SEATO and had diplomatic relationships to many countries. Ramon Magsaysay proved that he was a man of the people because he took good care of the welfare of the Filipinos by implementing laws and building infrastructures.

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Advocacy and Action: Comparison between Magsaysay and Estrada

Bañez, Bayan, Dizon, Navalta, Park, Pineda

Advocacy and Action:

Comparison between Magsaysay and Estrada

  Ramon Magsaysay and Joseph “Erap” Estrada bear two different names, but both their positions hold the same golden status: they both had their term as presidents in the Philippines. But unfortunately their upbringing did not end with the regularities of a Philippine president. Magsaysay and Erap had their terms cut short due to a fatal accident for the former, and an impeachment for the latter. However, each played a part of our history and had contributed in serving the Filipino people.

Ramon Magsaysay was an automobile mechanic; he gained a baccalaureate in commerce from Jose Rizal College, and became a guerilla leader in Luzon during World War II. He was appointed military governor in Zambales when the United States of America recaptured the Philippines. Magsaysay served two terms as a liberal party congressman, and that was one of his first experiences in politics. Ramon Magsaysay is known for defeating the communist group Hukbalahap.  His presidency was often referred to as the Philippines’  Gold Years because of his role in being an anti-communist fighter and a warrior against poverty. However, his term was cut short because of his untimely death. Nevertheless, the people always remembered with gratitude the things that he did, aspired, and succeeded to give his people faith and hope for a better life.

On the other hand, Joseph Ejercito Estrada had dropped out of college to become a film actor, hence, his screen name being Erap Estrada. He had starred in over a hundred films and produced a handful of movies. His first experience in politics was running for mayor in the Manila suburb of San Juan. During his administration, he empathize the plight of the masses and is often remembered with his tag-line created “Erap para sa Mahihirap” where he worked towards the creation of pro-poor programs. In spite of all the controversies he had, he still became one of the popular presidents in the republic because of his ability to connect with people.

Both Magsaysay and Erap gave a significant contributions toward alleviating the lives of the marginalized sectors in the community. They both proposed platforms and programs that aims to help the poor Filipino citizens. Ramon Magsaysay conceptualized and established the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), where the government responses to peasant landlessness and indebtedness through providing settlement of tenants and farm workers, including former insurgents, in public lands. This also includes the offer of free legal assistance to tenants and poor farmers who had legitimate complaints against their landlords. Magsaysay prioritized and initiated key programs that helped strengthened the economic and social conditions of the poor. He also had legal advocacies aimed at agrarian reforms and made development plans such as Community Development Planning Council (CDPC) and the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration.

Meanwhile, Erap Estrada established the National Anti-Poverty Commission(NAPC) which coordinates in poverty reduction programs held by national and local governments  while ensuring the participation of the marginalized sectors in the government decision-making processes. He also created the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. However, his tenure as a president was short-lived due to the corruption scandal erupted in October 2000 when a fellow politician claimed that Estrada had accepted millions of dollars worth of bribes.

Unlike President “Erap”, president Ramon Magsaysay was among the very few who resisted and had zero tolerance for corruption that he would put a stop to anything that possessed simple signs of an absence of clean governance. Ramon Magsaysay was dubbed as “The Guy” because of his sympathetic heart to the masses and being the president who really connected and represented the common people. He even opened Malacañang to the public.

President “Erap” had to end his term for being charged of perjury and plunder in 2001 with a popular uprising. This was because the impeachment trial was aborted. In 2007 although he was declared not guilty of perjury, he was guilty of plunder. He then was sentenced to Reclusión perpetua or Life time imprisonment: an equal of the death penalty.

Upon viewing the contrasting details of the qualities of Magsaysay and Estrada, it could be seen that both of them aspires for the good of the Filipino people, especially the poor. How one would serve and act upon these promising aspirations and advocies made the difference.  The deceased Magsaysay had done more in the 12 years of his political career than Estrada, who is still alive and kicking, could ever hope to do. It is a magnificent goal to be able to achieve the honor of being named “Asia’s Second Cleanest and Well-Governed Country”, and believe it or not, during Magsaysay’s Administration, the Philippines had attained that name. Though an individual could say that both Magsaysay and Estrada were “Pro-Poor”, it was more sincere in Magsaysay, for his achievements, such as establishing the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA), creating laws such as the Social Security Law of 1954, the Agricultural Tenancy Act of the Philippines, and the Land Reform Act of the Philippines, very obviously targeted one of the poorest and most underappreciated of our fellow men: the farmers.

Notably, the establishment of the Presidential Complaint and Action Commission was a daring and most honest act of Magsaysay, for this showed his utmost transparency and highest form of trustworthiness and goodwill for the people. This was the true act of being the “Ama ng Masa”, a title which was disgustingly bestowed on one as dishonest and most undeserving as Estrada. If a president were to truly be “Pro-Poor”, then he would not waste the hard-earned funds paid by the toil and suffering of the masses, for even the poor pay taxes, so if a president were to be “Pro-Poor”, would he not spend it wisely for the benefit of the country so the masses, especially the poor, could experience their taxes’ worth?

Therefore it was in the act of corruption where Estrada’s real nature as a deceptive, dishonest, and most of all selfish man was revealed; and this was no act of a man who could ever hope to be “Pro-Poor”. As young adult students of Miriam College who aim to live out the four core values of Miriam (which are Truth, Peace, Justice, and Integrity of Creation), we as a group view that Estrada failed to uphold justice and truth in serving the people. His sin is a warning and an example to us of how personal motives can and will get in the way of greatness, not just for one, but for all people concerned. Estrada’s selfishness not only cost him his reputation, but also the financial loss and division of the people.

For our fellow government official, this may serve as an example which one must not follow. One not be dissuaded by self- interest in serving and each citizen of the country has apply our innate goodness in each one of us to help one another and help improve our self and our “bayan.” Our fellow men are divided whether he is a good man or not, rather than working together as one to achieve the goal of a better world. As the country’s president being revealed as a thief and corrupt, what will the other countries say and assume of Filipinos?

Truly, this series of reports on the Philippine presidents was a wake-up call to us students, for it shows us that it is not the sword at fault for the bloodshed, it is not politics that is at fault for the misdeeds; rather, the decision is all on the wielder of the sword, on the politician, for like Magsaysay, no amount of bloodshed, no amount of corrupt politics could ever even hope to daunt him; no force could ever face his formidable will head-on and succeed. Magsaysay shows us that endless determination, unbendable principles, and perseverance can help and uplift not only a few, it can uplift a whole country, even its poverty-stricken masses who many politicians swear are impossible to help. No, even the poor can be uplifted from their unfortunate situations. It takes an iron will to do it.

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by Nicolas, Yap, De Leon, Tengco, Balonzo

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Differentiating 3 Presidents

by Chantel Andres

History is often derived through the eyes of the witnesses that they have been exposed to. Generations past have often written testaments of feats of both hardships and triumph, yet neither good nor bad. 6 decades span the course of 3 ideal individuals in these uncertain times. 6 Presidents, yet 3 I’ve chosen to stand out. This is the Ballad of Marcos, Cory, and Duterte - the Dictator, the Widow, and the Loose Cannon of the Philippines’ fragmented democracy.

Telling them apart is rather quite simple, all 3 have different personalities as all of us do. All 3 have different traumas that moulded them into outlining their leadership styles at steering the country to neither great heights nor ruin. History as told by scholars and published in various social media sites would paint pictures depending on how they were affected by their tenure as Presidents. Marcos would be known as a Dictator, he probably had high hopes envisioned for the country by giving it what it needed, not what it wanted. In the end though, after all the untold deaths of leftist individuals under his reign including the murder of his friend and Cory’s better half, the people deemed that what they wanted was freedom against oppression and they chose to take it back from him. Thus dawned the People Power Revolution.

Cory was the widow, the voice of all the victims under Marcos’ regime. She was also deemed a victim of it’s government’s atrocities and thus was the clear choice by the people to run the new democracy enjoyed by the Filipino people. But her lack of experience and guts to run the country only weakened our hold on freedom and in the end, even though she possessed a virtuous and noble heart, she was a weak leader of choice because she was after all, an unwilling pawn trapped in a box where she was left to clean out the remains of a government which was at a loss.

Duterte, Davao City’s greatest Mayor. The embodiment of Dirty Harry. With a foul mouth and iron fists, he rules this country the likes of which were reminiscent of Marcos’ rule. He showed no mercy against oppressive criminals, yet oppresses the rights of the people that he was tasked to protect as well. Nobody is safe from his offensive antics, he runs the country as if it is the Davao he ruled multiplied by the 7,107 islands that comprise the whole archipelago. He shouts invectives at those he deems as lesser and inadequate of his rule. Even foreigners, both ally and foe would be left unscathed by his words. His rule is but a showboat of pride and insanity, yet the people or most of our generation would simply let it pass given that it already is tiring to even just comorehend the goings on in this set-up nowadays.

That is my piece, I am not at all going to delve into each President’s strength and weakness. It is never easy to run a country such as ours, but hopefully someday, one day, we will eventually learn from past mistakes and realize that we still have the power to choose who we want governing for us because of what history will make us remember.

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Reflection on the Philippine Presidents

by Agbayani, Tria, Besas, Yfka, Donato, Alicia, Gomez, Emily, Nicomedes, Aira, Ruivivar, Nicole, Zaragoza, Beatrix  

Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III

15th President of the Republic of the Philippines

In the Philippines, the name Aquino is prominent across the country because of their involvement in politics. The political dynasty of the Aquinos all started with former senator, general and father, Benigno Aquino Jr. who served in the Malolos Congress and fought against the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution. However, years later, during the Marcos regime, he was unfortunately assassinated. Thus, came the beginning of his family’s governing.

His wife, Corazon Aquino ran for president upon his death and won against the infamous leadership of Ferdinand Marcos. She rose to power in order to continue the legacy of her husband. Her reign lasted six years and she was known as the “Mother of Asian Democracy”—as she put strong emphasis on liberty, human rights and social justice. Fast forward, the name Aquino became sonorous again when Benigno Noynoy Aquino III followed the steps of his parents  in the world of politics.

Noynoy Aquino became the president of the Philippines and served for six years during his administration from the year 2010 to 2016. It was in his platform to form a Social Contract with the Filipino People that addresses the problems of the society in corruption, economy, poverty, peace and order, injustices for the overseas Filipino workers, and the environment. Moreover, during his administration,  the gross domestic product of the country was recorded the highest in Philippine history.

Furthermore, Noynoy Aquino followed a recurring motto during his reign, “Kayo ang boss ko.” With that in mind, he created the no “wang-wang” (street siren) policy reducing the noise pollution especially in Manila. He appointed statesman Jesse Robredo to serve as secretary of Interior and Local Government in 2010, where Robredo served until his death in 2012. In the realm of education, he initiated K-12 education in the Philippines. He renamed the Office of the Press Secretary to Presidential Communications Operations Office and appointed new officers. Inspired by his saying, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap”, he suspended allowances and bonuses to Government Owned and Controlled Corporation and Government Financial Institution board members. Additionally, Noynoy Aquino oversaw 7.1% growth of the Philippine economy in 2012.

Although, some beg to differ about his performance. His administration had both its pros and cons. For one, the fact that he was given the position based from his family’s background became an issue in politics. Such speculation that Pnoy was only elected due to his family’s famous power, contributions, and wealth. In addition, Pnoy was unable to reach the expectations of the society. In terms of sustainability projects; he didn’t maximize his potential in helping the people with urgent need of care. His inability to act as a leader during times of crisis are huge failures for Pnoy and his administration. Examples would be the Quirino Bus tragedy, the Metro Rail Transit/Light Rail Transit (MRT/LRT) problems, his ineffective actions in Tacloban, the SAF 44 debacle, the Lumad killings and the Kidapawan massacre. Until now, people affected by the Typhoon Yolanda have not yet fully recovered. He failed to pass both the Basic Bangsamoro Law (BBL) and the Freedom of Information bill (FOI).

With that, Pnoy was disliked by plenty because of his lacking efforts in attaining his administration’s goals. He was seen as a President that rather played it safe and not decide by his own. As observed by many, he kept finger pointing to the Arroyo administration for all the ills of the country. In addition, after he left the office, many scandals came into light. His cabinet was full with corrupt senators like Leila de Lima on drugs and Proceso Alcala with corruption. It was during his regime that the illegal use of public funds through the “pork barrel system” was prominent. These anomalies brought the people back again to the streets to rally against Pnoy and his administration.

On the other hand, such cons aside, we cannot say that he wasn’t as successful as other Presidents of the Philippines because of this occurrence. Though his administration was credited with the highest rise in the country’s economic profile, many observers One of his proposed ideas for Education in the Philippines was the K to 12 project. This project gave an impact to students as they were entering a new curriculum that was introduced by the Americans. Also, it signifies global education which is an important aspect for Filipinos who plan to go overseas to work or to study. The K to 12 curriculum is being utilized as of this day and it has been a great  support to those Filipinos that are unable to finish secondary education due to the lack of assets. Furthermore, it did not only help Filipinos in the country but also to those who wish to continue their studies overseas that can help their studies and master’s degrees. Moreover, he also invested in many public works. There were widening of roads and the rise in skyways and urban developments such as BGC and Ortigas Center.

To end his presidency, Pnoy achieved his greatest victory. With just a few weeks before Mary Jane Veloso’s execution, he managed to save the overseas Filipino worker. She was sentenced to be executed on April 29, 2015 and had been incarcerated in Indonesia for 5 years.

If there’s anything unique about PNoy from the rest of the presidents, it would be that he was the first president to be elected as a bachelor. In addition to that, since he is single and unmarried from the time he assumed presidency, he is also one of the few who chose to spend his five and a half years at Bahay na Pangarap, rather than live in Malacañang, a place that serves as the legal domicile for presidents. There isn’t much difference between President Noynoy Aquino and the rest of the former presidents. He, like others also faced criticisms during and after his term.

This presidency proved that a well-established PR campaign is essential for the reason that even if he was a poor legislator, he was able to won the election due to the sympathy votes from the passing away of Cory Aquino. With that, the President himself may need adjustments such as his public relation skills. Despite all the criticisms thrown at the Aquino Administration, President Pnoy has done well in achieving  much of his campaign commitments.There are some platforms and programs that is worth mentioning. As a case in point, during his administration our country’s economic profile was credited as the highest rise among other former presidents. He may have done commendable things to improve our economy and yet it is evident that those improvements weren’t sufficient enough to fulfill the needs of our fellow Filipinos.

In conclusion, it is safe to say that President Noynoy Aquino wasn’t so bad nor good after all, since there is no such thing as a perfect president. Therefore, as citizens of this country it is important for us to ensure that we vote wisely for a candidate that doesn’t only have the potential but also have the desire to help the Filipinos. It is important to see each candidate from all sides before we make a choice. We should also put in mind before we criticize that six years is not enough to ease the worsened situation in our country and lastly, if we really want to see some progress to be made, we should start an initiative of change within ourselves. Just like what Mahatma Gandhi said, “ Be the change you want to see in the world. If you want to see an end to corruption, start by being scrupulously honest with yourself, and if you want to see peace in the world, start within your family”

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Our Local Superhero

by MATIRA Nina, SERNA Ingrid, TEOXON Claire, NG Mitz, NEPOMUCENO Alissa, GONZALES Reign

It turns out that Uncle Ben was right–with great power comes great responsibility. The famous quote was uttered by Peter Parker’s great Uncle Ben in the blockbuster movie Spiderman and it’s been used in different movies, books, and even graduation speeches to make a point about leadership and power. But only two people were able to live up to the entirety of the quote– Spiderman and Ramon Magsaysay. There’s not really much of a difference between them. While one wore a suit to save the world, the other walked with the people to help slowly change it.

He was the President of the People. The Champion of the Masses. Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay, Sr. was born on the 31st of August 1907 in Iba Zambales. Born to a blacksmith and a school teacher, Ramon or more fondly called Monching, pursued his primary and secondary education in Zambales before moving to the City to enter for a pre-med course in the University of the Philippines. Later on, he would transfer to Jose Rizal College to get his degree in Commerce. In 1931, he met Luz Banzon who eventually became his wife. Monching was described as a family man. He would later have three children– two girls (Teresita and Mila) and a son (Ramon Junior). During a 1965 interview, Luz Banzon described her husband as a hands-on father and a mature, gentle, and responsible husband. He was all good things rolled into one. He was a great family man.

But the greatness does not stop there. Monching created a government that was of the people, for the people, and by the people. Before Noynoy Aquino claimed that he was the nation’s employee, Monching lived and embodied the phrase, “Kayo ang boss ko”. He led the people by being one with them and by his example, he raised the bar of good conduct for the succeeding politicians after him.

First, he was a mechanic at the Try Transportation Bus Company in Manila. He then became the company’s general manager after a few years. During World War II, he quit his position in Manila, and joined the Philippine 31st Infantry Division. Then, after the fall of Bataan, Magsaysay joined a USAFFE guerrilla unit. He was the G-1, the supply officer, and he was promoted to major, and eventually became the commander of the Zambales Military District. Nearly 10,000 USAFFE fighters in the area near Mt. Pinatubo took commands from him. As a military commander, he became well-known. 100,000 peso bounty was placed by the Japanese on his life.

In February 1945, Major Magsaysay was appointed by General MacArthur as the military governor of Zambales because of his honesty, integrity, and ability. He wanted to improve the life of the local people. A year later, he was asked by Roxas to join the Liberal Party and run for a congressional seat. At first, Magsaysay refused this offer. Fortunately, he changed his mind when he was presented a petition signed by 11,000 of his men asking him to run for Congress. He was convinced that the best help he could offer was the service in the government. When he was in Congress, he continued to fight for veteran rights, and was soon appointed to the House Committee on National Defense. He became the committee’s chairman after his re-election in 1949. Magsaysay also formed the reorganization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines into battalion combat teams, and its assumption of responsibility from the Police Constabulary for the anti-Huk campaign in Luzon.

Unlike the first two presidents of the Third Republic who focused more on foreign policy, Magsaysay directed his efforts into improving the Philippines within itself. Magsaysay prioritized rural development for the sake of the people, especially for those who were badly affected by the aftermath of the war. He enacted several laws that greatly contributed to the country’s Agrarian Reform. He established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) in order to freely distribute land to tenants and farmers. With that, he then formed the Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954 which gave landowners and tenants fair share of their acquired earnings to provide both security and equal opportunity. Magsaysay gave importance to aiding small farmers as well by creating the Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA) that provided these farmers loans for them to be able to adequately and effectively market their produce in both local and international markets. This was also established to help farmers acquire equal profit from cooperative organizations to minimize inefficient allocation of revenue among them. It is apparent how much Magsaysay valued the agricultural sector during his term in order to help enhance the lives of people living in the rural parts of the county. He made sure everything was fair for everyone which earned him the much deserved praise.

In 1954, most of the number of inhabitants in the Philippines was reliant on hazardous sources of water. President Magsaysay encouraged the general population to get together and put in community wells. Filipino-Chinese business pioneer Albino Sycip built up the “Freedom Wells Association” to raise assets to give wells to poor communities. President Ramon Magsaysay applauded the Association in his first State of the Nation address and issued an official request which permitted the Liberty Wells Association:

(a)    "To request contributions to the Government from the public funds and materials to be utilized solely for the development and advancement of artesian wells and different sources of consumable water supplies for provincial networks in the Philippines ailing in money related assets to give a satisfactory and safe water supply.“

(b)    “To adopt and proclaim guidelines and directions administering the choice of locales where such network water supplies will be introduced, including sites particularly assigned by contributors.”

©    “To endorse suitable markers to be put at the water supply in remembrance of the separate benefactors whose gifts or commitments make conceivable the foundation of such water supply, or of those whom the givers may want to commemorate.”

(d)   To give due acknowledgment to contributors of the fund in this set established, through attention, certificates, and something else.

(e)   To prescribe to the Government measures figured to encourage and advance the foundation of network water supplies.

The individuals from the Association will be all benefactors of P 5,000 or more and the individuals who have rendered extremely service to the Association. The individuals will be named by the endless supply of the Executive Committee as made in section 4 of this Order and will hold office at the joy of the President. None of the cash or materials contributed will be utilized for any reason other than for the work and materials required to set up artesian wells or create water supplies. The division heads concerned are approved and coordinated to apply open assets lawfully accessible for the reason to settle costs of overviews, specialized supervision, transportation, assessment, organization and extra charges.

President Magsaysay really embodied the title “The Champion of the Common Man” when he became this man who can directly be reached out by Filipinos about their complaints. For instance, their most common concern was corruption which something that gravely alarmed them. A Filipino would voice his or her concern, and Magsaysay was just one tap away. For many years, his creation was a success for its collection of an astronomical number of 59,144 complaints in the year 1954. Hearing the Filipino people’s complaints became one of the purposes of Magsaysay, and he was able to provide these people the needs they voiced out and the solutions they looked for through this. It was entitled Presidential Complaint and Action Commission (PCAC) or the Executive Order No. 1, implemented, conducted and headed by the president himself. The president as the so-called Commissioner shall be assisted by the Technical Assistant and a few others screened and selected particularly by the president for the Commission.

To further elaborate on the works the commission did to help the Filipinos, one of the duties of PCAC included the inspecting of officials who worked in the government in order to check whether or not these officials were doing their job rightfully and truthfully. Second was the taking action as requested by the president for the complaints. Third, if or when there were plans for the betterment of public service, the president shall be updated in no time. PCAC’s fourth duty was to receive from the people suggestions which would contribute resolutions to government’s shortcomings. And of course, for the president to perform responsibilities needed from him after hearing the concerns was the fifth main duty of PCAC. In making all this happen, the representatives from different divisions came in full force to support the Commissioner. Primarily, the PCAC’s way as a commission was to safeguard the integrity of the politics under Magsaysay, and to make sure that the government officials were not taking advantage of their power. Creating this meant for Magsaysay a government that can be described as listener to the public by means of being available and taking deliberate action on complaints without having to let the Filipino people go through many windows.

Ramon Magsaysay’s presidency has brought about a huge change for the Philippines, to the point that his term as president has been dubbed as the “Golden years” of the Philippine government. He endeared himself to the Filipino people through acts like dissuading several of his relatives from running for political positions, ending the insurgency of the Hukbalahap, his land and agrarian reforms, among many others that he has done. He was said to have fought corruption even before he became the president, and some people believe that the Philippines was one of the most well governed countries during his time. At one point, the country also placed second on a ranking of Asia’s cleanest and well-governed countries. Ramon Magsaysay was part of SEATO, or the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, which was founded on September 1954 during the Manila Conference to prevent further spreading of communist beliefs to other Southeast Nations. He was also able to negotiate with the Japanese government so that they will pay the Philippines war reparations worth eight hundred million dollars. Aside from that, also replaced the Bell Trade Act with the Laurel-Langley Agreement, which gave the Filipino more freedom and benefits, and loosened the hold of the US government on Philippine economy.

We could go on and on about the many achievements that Ramon Magsaysay achieved in his lifetime whether it would be in his political life or his personal one. His compassion towards his job and his passion to help the people will always be inspiring to the young people and hopefully, to the future politicians. To have someone who cares so deeply about his fellowmen is a comforting thing for normal citizens. It is hard to feel secure in a country like ours especially at a time wherein justice is non-existent and the powerful always prevails. With his passing, the country came to a realization that there will only be one superhero in history. Someone even better than Spiderman himself—Ramon Magsaysay.