Diosdado Macapagal

CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES

There were many uprisings against the Aquino administration
There was a widespread of poverty
Graft and corruption throughout the country
Continues to undergo the economic controls that had been in operation since 1948

PRIMARY PROBLEMS

• Low living standards of the masses
• Lack of economic stability
• Unemployment
• Devaluation of the Philippine Peso
Foreigners could now buy and control more local businesses easily because of the exchange rate. They were richer than the Philippines.
• Revocation of 350 midnight appointments
Garcia appointed 350 people into certain positions before he stepped down as president (A few hours before) Most controversial position was the central bank governor. This act was against the Saligang Batas; However, the supreme court still had the final authority/”say”.

PROMISES DURING THE ELECTIONS AND INAUGURATION

Macapagal promised a program for the socio-economic aspect of society wherein he’d return free and private enterprises wherein economic developments would be placed in the hands of private entrepreneurs wherein the government would have minimal control over.
He declared that he would be the president of both the rich and the poor. He promises to erase that line between the wealthy and the unfortunate. Mostly by elevating the poor’s status to have a more copious life.
“I shall be president not only of the rich but more so of the poor. We must help bridge the wide gap between the poor man and the man of wealth, not by pulling down the rich to his level as Communism desires, but by raising the poor towards the more abundant life.”
The Malacanang Palace is to be opened to the public.
Restoration of morality to the public by alleviating the stature of the masses.
Promised to end corruption, and establish anti-terrorism.

LAWS AND PROGRAMS

Opened Malacanang to the Public; however it didn’t last long because people started to only loft around.
Dismissed Corruption in the government when the official couldn’t justify his sudden acquisition of wealth.
Changed the Date of the Philippine Independence from June 12 to July 4.
Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963
Abolished share tendency on rice and corn farmlands and establishment of a leasehold system where farmers would pay rentals to landlords instead of harvests.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS

Corrupt Congressmen and Businessmen
Stonehill

HOLES AND SHORTCOMINGS OF THE LAWS

He prevented his government from “tracking down” the sources of corruption by firing the officers alleged with corruption and deporting Stonehill. This way, he got in the way of one of his promises.
He failed to solve major social and economical problems.
Macapagal wasn’t able to effectively maximize the programs for the people to alleviate poverty

ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES

Graft and Corruption (Stonehill Scandal)
Rise in Consumer Goods Prices
Peace and Order Issues
Macapagal’s privileged subjects in congress and business paraded their lavish wealth in conspicuous parties and anomalous deals.

SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE

Diosdado Macapagal was chosen by the people of the Philippines to be their president in 1961 and his term ended in 1965. Considered to be incorruptible by most during the time, he may have served as an inspiration to his people. That’s why he included the need for the country to have a good grasp of good morals and ethics. He also wanted to end corruption, poverty, homelessness, and other various problems that plagued the common man. During his entire term however, none of what he promised or wanted was really achieved. This makes him look quite bad as a leader of the country contrary to what he was supposed to be seen as. He’s the type of person who’s more on talk rather than action. The devaluation of the Philippine Peso started during his term which makes him, in the eyes of some, the root of a lot of today’s problems in the country. Other than that, he returned free trade and free enterprise to the country which crushed local goods and businesses which continue to suffer up to today. When it came to his promises to the common man, the farmers in particular, he was unable to keep his them during his term. He was unable to give them the land they needed because aside from having no specific time table as to when they were to receive the land, the government didn’t have the money to purchase the land from the hacienderos which was to be distributed to the farmers in the first place. Basically, he made really good speeches and the country didn’t “die” when he was in power but he wasn’t able to do anything great that problems were removed. If common people today are asked about what he did, the answer may be as extreme as “Nothing!” or funny as “He fathered a dwarf!” Diosdado probably wasn’t a bad man and may actually be “incorruptible” despite the issues. Unfortunately, his term and his leadership are now seen as either unproductive to the country or were the root causes the still continuing fall of the Philippine economy today. That is why he is rated just high enough to pass but not high enough to be considered a good president.

GRADE (DLSU SYSTEM)

He deserves a grade of 1.0 because he didn’t achieve any of his promises during his term but the country didn’t go into a state of despair.