The history of the Philippines may be divided into four
distinct phases: the pre-Spanish period (before 1521); the
Spanish period (1521-1898); the American period (1898-1946);
and the years since independence (1946-present).
Pre-Spanish Period - The first
people in the Philippines, the Negritos, are believed to
have come to the islands 30,000 years ago from Borneo and
Sumatra, making their way across then-existing land bridges.
Subsequently, people of Malay decent came from the south
in successive waves; the earliest by land bridges and later
in boats called barangays. The Malays settled in scattered
communities, also called barangays, which were ruled by
chieftains known as datus. Chinese merchants and traders
arrived and settled in the ninth century A.D. In the 14th
century, Arabs arrived, introducing Islam in the south and
extending some influence even into Luzon. The Malays, however,
remained the dominant group until the Spanish arrived in
the 16th century.
Spanish Period -Ferdinand Magellan
claimed the Philippines for Spain in 1521, and for the next
377 years, the islands were under Spanish rule. This period
was the era of conversion to Roman Catholicism. A Spanish
colonial social system was developed; complete with a strong
centralized government and considerable clerical influence.
The Filipinos were restive under the Spanish, and this long
period was marked by numerous uprisings. The most important
of these began in 1896 under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo
and continued until the Americans defeated the Spanish fleet
in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American
War. Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain on June
12, 1898.
American Period - Following Admiral
Dewey's defeat of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, the United
States occupied the Philippines. Spain ceded the islands
to the United States under the terms of the Treaty of Paris
(December 10, 1898) that ended the war.
A war of resistance against U.S. rule, led by Revolutionary
President Aguinaldo, broke out in 1899. Although Americans
have historically used the term "the Philippine Insurrection,"
Filipinos and an increasing number of American historians
refer to these hostilities as the Philippine-American War
(1899-1902), and in 1999 the U.S. Library of Congress reclassified
its references to use this term. In 1901, Aguinaldo was
captured and swore allegiance to the United States, and
resistance gradually died out.
U.S. administration of the Philippines was always declared
to be temporary and aimed to develop institutions that would
permit and encourage the eventual establishment of a free
and democratic government. Therefore, U.S. officials concentrated
on the creation of such practical supports for democratic
government as public education and a sound legal system.
The first legislative assembly was elected in 1907. A
bicameral legislature, largely under Philippine control,
was established. A civil service was formed and was gradually
taken over by the Filipinos, who had effectively gained
control by the end of World War I. The Catholic Church was
disestablished, and a considerable amount of church land
was purchased and redistributed.
In 1935, under the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act,
the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel
Quezon was elected president of the new government, which
was designed to prepare the country for independence after
a 10-year transition period. World War II intervened, however,
and in May 1942, Corregidor, the last American/Filipino
stronghold, fell. U.S. forces in the Philippines surrendered
to the Japanese, placing the islands under Japanese control.
The war to regain the Philippines began when Gen. Douglas
MacArthur landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944. Filipinos
and Americans fought together until the Japanese surrender
in September 1945. Much of Manila was destroyed during the
final months of the fighting, and an estimated 1 million
Filipinos lost their lives in the war.
As a result of the Japanese occupation, the guerrilla
warfare that followed, and the battles leading to liberation,
the country suffered great damage and a complete organizational
breakdown. Despite the shaken state of the country, the
United States and the Philippines decided to move forward
with plans for independence. On July 4, 1946, the Philippine
Islands became the independent Republic of the Philippines,
in accordance with the terms of the Tydings- McDuffie Act.
In 1962, the official Independence Day was changed from
July 4 to June 12; General Aguinaldo declared commemorating
the date independence from Spain in 1898.
Post-Independence Period
- The early years of independence were dominated by
U.S.-assisted postwar reconstruction. A communist-inspired
Huk Rebellion (1945-53) complicated recovery efforts
before its successful suppression under the leadership
of President Ramon Magsaysay. The succeeding administrations
of Presidents Carlos P. Garcia (1957-61) and Diosdado
Macapagal (1961-65) sought to expand Philippine ties
to its Asian neighbors, implement domestic reform
programs, and develop and diversify the economy.
In 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965-86)
declared martial law, citing growing lawlessness and
open rebellion by the communist rebels as his justification.
Marcos governed from 1973 until mid-1981 in accordance
with the transitory provisions of a new constitution
that replaced the commonwealth constitution of 1935.
He suppressed democratic institutions and restricted
civil liberties during the martial law period, ruling
largely by decree and popular referenda.
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The government began a process of political
normalization during 1978-81, culminating in the reelection
of President Marcos to a 6-year term that would have
ended in 1987. The Marcos government's respect for
human rights remained low despite the end of martial
law on January 17, 1981. His government retained its
wide arrest and detention powers. Corruption and favoritism
contributed to a serious decline in economic growth
and development under Marcos. |
The assassination of opposition leader Benigno (Ninoy)
Aquino upon his return to the Philippines in 1983, after
a long period of exile, coalesced popular dissatisfaction
with Marcos and set in motion a succession of events that
culminated in a snap presidential election in February 1986.
The opposition united under Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino,
and Salvador Laurel, head of the United Nationalist Democratic
Organization (UNIDO). The election was marred by widespread
electoral fraud on the part of Marcos and his supporters.
International observers, including a U.S. delegation led
by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), denounced the official
results. Marcos was forced to flee the Philippines in the
face of a peaceful civilian-military uprising that ousted
him and installed Corazon Aquino as president on February
25, 1986.
Under Aquino's presidency progress was made in revitalizing
democratic institutions and respect for civil liberties.
However, the administration was also viewed by many as weak
and fractious, and a return to full political stability
and economic development was hampered by several attempted
coups staged by disaffected members of the Philippine military.
Fidel Ramos was elected president in 1992. Early in his
administration, Ramos declared "national reconciliation"
his highest priority. He legalized the communist party and
created the National Unification Commission (NUC) to lay
the groundwork for talks with communist insurgents, Muslim
separatists, and military rebels. In June 1994, President
Ramos signed into law a general conditional amnesty covering
all rebel groups, as well as Philippine military and police
personnel accused of crimes committed while fighting the
insurgents. In October 1995, the government signed an agreement
bringing the military insurgency to an end. A peace agreement
with one major Muslim insurgent group was signed in 1996.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada's election as President in May
1998, marked the Philippines' third democratic succession
since the ouster of Marcos. Estrada was elected with overwhelming
mass support on a platform promising poverty alleviation
and an anti-crime crackdown.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Estrada's Vice President, assumed
the Presidency in January 2001 after widespread demonstrations
that followed the breakdown of Estrada's impeachment trial
on corruption charges. The Philippine Supreme Court subsequently
endorsed unanimously the constitutionality of the transfer
of power. (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of State)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of
the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
Government type: republic, Capital: Manila
Administrative divisions: 73 provinces and 61 chartered
cities
Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American
law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age is universal
Cabinet: appointed by the president with the consent
of the Commission of Appointments
Elections: president and vice president elected
on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;
election last held 11 May 1998, next to be held 16 May 2004.
Executive branch: chief of state:
President Gloria MACAPAL-ARROYO (since January 2001) and
Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001):
note-the president is both the chief of state and head of
government.
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Election results: Results of the last
presidential election – Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA
elected president: percent of vote – NA; note
– on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
was sworn in as the constitutional successor to President
Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that
President ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the
mass resignations from his government; according to
the Constitution, only in cases of death, permanent
disability, removal from office, or resignation of the
president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired
term. |
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress
or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats –
one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular
vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representative
or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (204 seats; member elected
by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note –
additional members may be appointed by the president but
the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives
from having more than 250 members).
Elections: Senate – last held 11 May 1988
(next to be held 14 May 2001); House of Representative –
elections last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 14 May
2001).
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation
of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years
of age.
People
Population: 82,841,518 (July 2001 EST.)
| Age structure: |
0-14 years: 36.87% (males 15,547,712:
female 14,997,544)
15-64 years: 59.45% (male 24,374,849; female 24,873,595)
65 years and over: 3.68% (male 1,355,046 female 1,692,772)
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Population growth rate: 2.03% (2001 EST.)
Birth rate: 27.37-births/1,000 population (2001
EST.)
Death rate: 6.04-deaths/1,000 population (2001 EST.)
Net migration rate: -1.01 migrants(s)/1,000
population (2001 EST.) |
 |
s
| Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.05 males(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 males(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 males(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 EST.) |
Infant mortality rate: 28.7 deaths/1,000 live births
(2001 EST.)
| Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 67.8 years
male: 64.96
female: 70.79 years (2001 EST.) |
Total fertility rate: 3.42 children born/woman
(2001 EST.)
| Nationality: |
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine |
Ethnic groups: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay
4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim
5%, Buddhist and other 3%
| Languages: |
two official languages – Filipino
(based on Tagalog) and English, eight major dialects
– Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo,
Bicol, Waray, Pampago, and Pangasinense |
s
| Literacy: definition: |
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.6%/male: 95%/female: 94.3% (1995
EST.) |
Geography
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago located
between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east
of Vietnam in Southeastern Asia. It is favorably located
in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies
such as the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes
Sea, and Luzon Strait.
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map reference: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 300,000 sq. km, land: 298,170 sq.
km and water: 1,830 sq. km, slightly larger than the State
of Arizona.
Maritime claims: continental shelf: to depth of
exploitation, exclusive economic zone: 200 NM, territorial
sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from coastline
as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed
polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in
breadth.
Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November
to April); southwest monsoon (May to October).
Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive
coastal lowlands.
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Elevation: lowest point: Philippine
Sea 0 m, highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel,
cobalt, and silver, gold, salt, copper
Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually
affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic
storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive
earthquakes; tsunamis.
Current environmental issues: uncontrolled
deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air
and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution
of coastal mangrove swamps which are important fish
breeding grounds.
Environment international agreements: party
to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands and
signed but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol. |
Economy
Overview: In 1998 the Philippine economy, a mixture of
agriculture, light industry, and supporting services deteriorated
as a result of spillover from the Asian financial crisis
and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to about 0.5% in
1998 from 5% in 1997 but recovered to about 3% in 1999 and
3.6% in 2000. The government has promised to continue its
economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace
of development in the newly industrialized countries of
East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure,
overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues,
moving toward further deregulation and privatization of
the economy and increasing trade integration with the region.
Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals,
wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum
refining, and fishing.
Agriculture products: rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane,
bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, and fish.
Exports: $38 billion (f.o.b., 2000 Est.)
Exports-commodities: electronic equipment, machinery,
transport equipment, garments, and coconut products.
Imports: $35 billion (f.o.b., 2000 Est.)
Imports-commodities: raw materials and intermediate
goods, capital goods, consumer good, fuels.
Imports-partners: US 22%, Japan 20%, South Korea
8%, Singapore 6%, Taiwan 5%, Hong Kong 4% (1998 Est.)
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Communications
Telephone system: General assessment: good international
radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and
inter-island service adequate. Domestic: domestic satellite
system with 11 earth stations. International: 9 international
gateways; satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Indian
Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong,
Guam, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan.
Transportation
Railways: total, 492 km with an additional 405 km
not in operation.
Highways: total-199,950 km, paved-39,590 km, unpaved-160,360
km (1998 Est.)
Waterways: 3,219 km (note: limited to vessels with
a draft of less than 1.5 m)
Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km.
Ports and harbors: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu,
Davao, Guimaras Island, Iligan, Iloilo, Jolo, Legaspi, Manila,
Masao, Puerto Princesa, San Fernando, Subic Bay, Zamboanga.
Merchant Marine: total: 459 ships (1,000 GRT or
over) totaling 5,653,062 GRT/8,512,326 DWT. Ships by type:
bulk 149, cargo 123, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk
10, container 5, liquefied gas 13, livestock carrier 10,
passenger 4, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 42, refrigerated
cargo 21, roll/roll off 17, short-sea passenger 31, specialized
tanker 2, vehicle carrier 16. (Note: includes some foreign-owned
ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cyprus 1,
Denmark 1, Hong Kong 5, Japan 14, Netherlands 1, Singapore
1, UK 1 – 2000 Est.)
Airports: 288 (2000 Est.) Airports with paved runways
– 76. Airports with unpaved runways – 212. Heliports
– 1
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Cost Guard
and Marine Corps), Air Force.
Transnational Issues
International disputes: involved in a complex dispute
over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam,
and possibly Brunei.
(Courtesy of the CIA Factbook) |
