The Philippines officially the Republic of the

Noli de Castro

Philippines (Filipino:Republika ng Pilipinas), is a sovereign island

country in Southeast Asia situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of
about 7,641 islands[13] that are categorized broadly under three main geographical
divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The capital city of
the Philippines is Manila and the most populous city isQuezon City, both part
of Metro Manila
The Philippines' location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and close to the equator
makes the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons, but also endows it
with abundant natural resources and some of the world's greatestbiodiversity.
The Philippines has an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers
(115,831 sq mi),[15] and a population of more than 100 million with faster growth
than any other east Asian country.[16][17] It is the seventh-most populated country in
Asia and the 12th most populated country in the world. An additional 12 million
Filipinos live overseas, comprising one of the world's largest diasporas.
Multiple ethnicities and cultures are found throughout the islands. In prehistoric
times, Negritos were some of the archipelago's earliest inhabitants. They were
followed bysuccessive waves of Austronesian peoples.[18] Exchanges with
Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Islamic states occurred. Then, various nations were
established under the rule of Datus, Rajahs, Sultans or Lakans.

Preceded by

Joseph Estrada

Succeeded by

Benigno Aquino III

10th Vice President of the Philippines

In office
June 30, 1998 January 20, 2001

President

Joseph Estrada

Preceded by

Joseph Estrada

Succeeded by

Teofisto Guingona

Secretary of National Defense

Acting

14th President of the Philippines

In office

4th President of the Fifth Republic

November 30, 2006 February 1, 2007

In office
January 20, 2001 June 30, 2010

Vice President

Teofisto Guingona

Preceded by

Avelino Cruz

Succeeded by

Hermogenes Ebdane

In office

Preceded by

Roberto Puno

September 1, 2003 October 2, 2003

Member of the House of Representatives
Preceded by

Angelo Reyes

Succeeded by

Eduardo Ermita

from Pampanga's 2nd district

Incumbent

Secretary of Social Welfare and Development

Assumed office
June 30, 2010

In office
June 30, 1998 October 12, 2000

President

Joseph Estrada

Preceded by

Lilian Laigo

Preceded by

Mikey Arroyo

Senator of the Philippines

In office
June 30, 1992 June 30, 1998

Succeeded by

Dulce Saguisag
Personal details

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the

Philippines

Born

Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal

April 5, 1947 (age 69)

Incumbent

Assumed office
15 August 2016

San Juan, Philippines

Political party

LDP (Before 1998)

KAMPI (19972009)
Lakas-CMD I (19982009)

President

Rodrigo Duterte

Lakas-CMD II (2009present)

In 1961, when Arroyo was just 14 years old, her father was elected as president.

Spouse(s)

Jose Miguel Arroyo

Children

Mikey

Convent for her elementary and high school education,

Evangelina

graduating valedictorian in 1964. Arroyo then studied for two years

Diosdado

at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C.

She moved with her family intoMalacaang Palace in Manila. A municipality was
named in her honor, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. She attendedAssumption

where she was a classmate of future United States President Bill Clinton and
Alma mater

Georgetown University

achieved consistent Dean's list status.[8] She then earned her Bachelor of Arts

Assumption College

degree in Economics from Assumption College, graduating magna cum laude in

Ateneo de Manila University

1968.

University of the Philippines, Diliman

In 1968, Arroyo married lawyer and businessman Jose Miguel

Arroyo of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, whom she had met while still a

Religion

Roman Catholicism

teenager.[1] They had three children, Juan Miguel (born 1969), Evangelina
Lourdes (born 1971) and Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria (born in 1974). She

Signature

pursued a master's degree in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila

University (1978) and a Doctorate Degree in Economics from the University of

Website

Official website

the Philippines Diliman (1985).[9]From 1977 to 1987, she held teaching positions
in several schools, notably the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de

Early life[edit]
She was born as Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal to politician Diosdado
Macapagal and his wife, Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal. She is the sister of
Dr. Diosdado "Boboy" Macapagal, Jr. and Cielo Macapagal Salgado. She spent
the first years of her life in Lubao, Pampanga, with her two older siblings from her
father's first marriage.[1] At the age of four, she chose to live with her maternal
grandmother in Iligan City.[7] She stayed there for three years, then split her time
between Mindanao and Manila until the age of 11.[7] She is fluent in
English, Tagalog, Spanish and several other Philippine languages, most
importantly, Kapampangan, Ilokano, and Cebuano.

Manila University. She became chairperson of the Economics Department at

Assumption College.
In 1987, she was invited by President Corazon Aquino to join the government as
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. She was promoted
to Undersecretary two years later. In her concurrent position as Executive
Director of the Garments and Textile Export Board, Arroyo oversaw the rapid
growth of the garment industry in the late

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

2010-2016

Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III[1][2][3][4][5] (born

February 8, 1960) is a Filipino politician who served as
the 15th President of the Philippines from 2010 until 2016.[4][6][7]
Aquino is a fourth-generation politician and is currently
the chairman of the Liberal Party.[8] Born in Manila, Aquino
finished his Bachelor of Arts (major in economics) from Ateneo de
Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in
the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a politician who

served as the 14th President of the Philippines
from 2001 until 2010, as the 10th Vice President
of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, as
incumbent deputy ... Wikipedia
Born: April 5, 1947 (age 69), San Juan, Metro
Manila
Spouse: Jose Miguel Arroyo (m. 1968)
Education: University of the Philippines
Diliman (1985), more
Children: Mikey Arroyo, Diosdado Macapagal
Arroyo, Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo
Previous offices: President of the Philippines
(20012010), Vice President of the Philippines
(19982001)

in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held

several positions working in the private sector. In 1998, he was
elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the
2nd district of Tarlac province. He was subsequently re-elected to
the House in 2001 and 2004.[4] In 2007, having been barred from
running for re-election to the House due to term limits, he was
elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.[4]
On September 9, 2009, Aquino officially announced he would be
a candidate in the 2010 presidential election and on June 30,
2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,[4][9] Aquino
was sworn into office as the fifteenthPresident of the Philippines,
succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and stepped down on June
30, 2016. His successor is Rodrigo Duterte.

Benigno Aquino III

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

Aquino in Jakarta, May 7, 2011

In office
November 8, 2004 February 21, 2006

Preceded by

Ral Gonzalez

Succeeded by

Simen Datumanong

15th President of the Philippines

5th President of the Fifth Republic

Senator of the Philippines

In office
June 30, 2010 June 30, 2016

In office
Vice President

Jejomar Binay

Preceded by

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

June 30, 2007 June 30, 2010

Member of the House of Representatives

from Tarlac's 2nd district

Succeeded by

Rodrigo Duterte
In office

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government

June 30, 1998 June 30, 2007

Acting

Preceded by

Jos Yap

Succeeded by

Jos Yap

In office
June 30, 2010 July 9, 2010

Preceded by

Ronaldo Puno

Succeeded by

Jesse Robredo

Personal details

Born

Benigno Simen Cojuangco Aquino III

February 8, 1960 (age 56)

was one of the students of former professor of economics at Ateneo de Manila

University, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Manila, Philippines[1]

In September 1972, Aquino's father, who was then a senator and prominent
Political party

Liberal Party

opposition leader to President Ferdinand Marcos, was arrested for subversion. In

August 1973, Aquino's father was brought before a military tribunal in Fort

Benigno Aquino, Jr.

Bonifacio.[12] On August 25, 1973, Aquino's father wrote a letter to his son from

Corazon Aquino

Fort Bonifacio, giving advice to his son;

Residence

Times Street, Quezon City, Philippines

"The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.

Alma mater

Ateneo de Manila University

Religion

Roman Catholicism

Parents

There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than
our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your
strength.
Son, the ball is now in your hands."[12]

Signature

In 1980, after a series of heart attacks, Aquino's father was allowed to seek
medical treatment in the United States, where Aquino's family began a period of
self-exile. In 1981, shortly after graduation, Aquino joined his family in the United
States.
Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III was born at 10:28 am on February 8, 1960
at Far Eastern University Hospital inSampaloc, Manila.[1] He is the third of the five

In 1983, after three years in exile in the United States, Aquino's family returned to

children of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., who was then the Vice Governor

the Philippines, shortly after theassassination of his father on August 21, 1983.

ofTarlac province, and Corazon Cojuangco, daughter of a prominent Tarlac

[11]

businessman. He has four sisters, namely: Maria Elena (Ballsy), Aurora Corazon

Progress, working as an assistant of the executive director of PBSP.[11] He later

(Pinky), Victoria Elisa (Viel), and Kristina Bernadette (Kris). He attended Ateneo

joined Mondragon Industries Philippines, Inc. as an assistant Retail Sales

de Manila University in Quezon City for his elementary, high school, and college

Supervisor and assistant promotions manager for Nike Philippines, Inc.[11]

education.[11] He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor's degree in economics.[4][11] He

He had a short tenure as a member of the Philippine Business for Social

From 1986 to 1992, during the presidency of his mother, Aquino joined the Intra-

Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte[6] (born March 28, 1945), also known

Strata Assurance Corporation, a company owned by his uncle Antolin Oreta Jr.,

as Digong, is a Filipino lawyer and politician who is the 16th and

as vice president.

current President of the Philippines.[7][8][9] He is the first Mindanaoan to hold

[11]

the office, and the fourth ofVisayan descent.[10]

On August 28, 1987, eighteen months into the presidency of Aquino's mother,
rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasanstaged an unsuccessful coup attempt,

Duterte was among the longest-serving mayors in the Philippines and

attempting to lay siege to Malacaang Palace. Aquino was two blocks from the

was Mayor of Davao City, a highly urbanized cityon Mindanao island, for

palace when he came under fire. Three of Aquino's four security escorts were

seven terms, totalling more than 22 years. He has also served as vice-

killed, and the last was wounded protecting him. He himself was hit by five

mayor and as congressman for the city.

bullets, one of which is still embedded in his neck.[13]

Nicknamed "The Punisher" by Time, an alleged vigilante group called
From 1993 to 1998, he worked for Central Azucarera de Tarlac, the sugar

the Davao Death Squad has been tied to Duterte by human rights

refinery in the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita. He was employed as the

organizations and are responsible for the extrajudicial killings of

executive assistant for administration from 1993 to 1996 and subsequently

suspected drug dealers.[11][12] Duterte has drawn criticism from various

worked as manager for field services from 1996 to 1998. [11]

sources, particularly the press and the Philippine National

Du30

Rodrigo Duterte

Biography
Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte, also known as Digong, is a Filipino lawyer and
politician who is the 16th and current President of the Philippines. He is the
first Mindanaoan to hold the office, and the fourth of Visayan
descent. Wikipedia
Born: March 28, 1945 (age 71), Maasin
Office: President of the Philippines since 2016
Spouse: Elizabeth Zimmerman (m. 19732000), Honeylet Avancea
Children: Sara Duterte, Veronica A. Duterte, Sebastian Z. Duterte,Paolo
Duterte
Previous offices: Mayor of Davao City (20132016), more
Education: San Beda College, Lyceum of the Philippines University,San
Beda College of Law

Police leadership in theAquino government, which contest the

effectiveness of his policies.[13]
On May 9, 2016, Duterte won the Philippine presidential election,
garnering 16,601,997 votes (39.01% of total votes cast, and 6.6 million
votes ahead of closest rival Mar Roxas).[14] His domestic policy has
focused on combating illegal drug trade by initiating a nationwide drug
war. Following criticism from United Nations human rights experts that
extrajudicial killings had increased since the election, he threatened to
withdraw the Philippines from the UN and form a new organization
with China and African nations

Rodrigo Duterte

Mayor of Davao City

In office
June 30, 2013 June 30, 2016

Preceded by

Sara Duterte

Succeeded by

Sara Duterte

In office
June 30, 2001 June 30, 2010

Preceded by

Benjamin C. de Guzman

Succeeded by

Sara Duterte

16th President of the Philippines

In office

6th President of the Fifth Republic

Incumbent

Assumed office
June 30, 2016

Vice President

Leni Robredo

Preceded by

Benigno Aquino III

February 2, 1988 March 19, 1998

Preceded by

Jacinto T. Rubillar

Succeeded by

Benjamin C. de Guzman

Vice Mayor of Davao City

In office
June 30, 2010 June 30, 2013

Preceded by

Sara Duterte

Succeeded by

Paolo Duterte

In office
May 2, 1986 November 27, 1987
Officer in Charge

Preceded by

Cornelio P. Maskario

Succeeded by

Gilbert G. Abellera

Member of the Philippine House of Representatives

from Davao City's 1st district

In office
June 30, 1998 June 30, 2001

Preceded by

Prospero Nograles

Succeeded by

Prospero Nograles

Personal details

Born

Rodrigo Roa Duterte

March 28, 1945 (age 71)
Maasin, Leyte, Philippines

Political party

PDPLaban (present)

Early life
Other political

Kabataang Makabayan

affiliations

Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (late

Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in Maasin (now the capital of Southern

1990s)

Leyte but was then part of the insular province of Leyte in the Philippine

Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod(2011present)

Commonwealth).[16] His father was Cebuano lawyer Vicente G. Duterte and his

[1][2]

(1970s)

mother was Soledad Roa, a native of Cabadbaran, Agusan, who was a school
Spouse(s)

Elizabeth Zimmerman(m. 1973; ann. 2000)

teacher and a civic leader of Maranaodescent. Duterte's father Vicente, prior to

being provincial governor of (the then-undivided) Davao province, was once an

Domestic

Cielito Avancea

served as Cebu City mayor from 1983 to 1986. Ronalds father, Ramon Duterte,

partner

Children

acting mayor of Danao, Cebu. Rodrigo's cousin Ronald, on the other hand,
also held the position from 1957 to 1959. The Dutertes consider the Cebu-

with Elizabeth Zimmerman

Paolo
Sara
Sebastian

based political families of the Durano and the Almendras clan as relatives.
[17]

Duterte also has relatives from the Roa clan in Leyte through his mother's side.

[18]

Before they resettled to Davao, Duterte's family briefly lived in his birthplace in

Maasin, Leyte, and in his father's hometown in Danao, Cebu, until he was four
years old.[19][20]

with Cielito Avancea

Veronica

The Dutertes initially moved to Mindanao in 1948 but still go back and forth to the
Visayas until 1949.[21] They finally settled in the Davao Region in 1950. Vicente as

Residence

Bahay Pagbabago[3][4][5]

a lawyer engaged in private practice, while Soledad taught in public schools as a

teacher. Mrs Duterte, however, retired as a supervisor in 1952 when her lawyer-

Alma mater

Lyceum of the Philippines University (A.B.)

San Beda College (LL.B.)

Signature

husband entered politics there.