PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO (MARIA CORAZON SUMULONG COJUANGCO-AQUINO)

In Office: February 25 1986 June 30 1992

ACHIEVEMENTS:

In 1986, President Cory Aquino was named as Time Magazines Women of the Year because of the way she handled the Edsa Revolution peacefully. She was called the Icon of Democracy. She was nominated to receive the Nobel Piece Prize in 1986.

She delivered a speech in front of the United States Congress during their joint session. Her speech was interrupted by several applause and was praised by U.S. House Speaker Tip O Neil in 1986. Issued Proclamation No. 3 which proclaimed that her government as a revolutionary government.

President Cory suspended the 1973 Constitution installed during Martial Law and promulgated a provisional Freedom Constitution.

Closed the BatasangPambansa and reorganized the Membership of the Supreme Court.
She also appointed 48 members of a Constitutional Commission tasked in drafting a new constitution. Moreover, Pres. Aquino promulgated two legal codes that set forth significant legal reforms namely:

The Family Code of 1987 reformed the civil law on family relations. Administrative Code of 1987 reorganized the structure of the executive branch of the government.

Signed the Local Government Code with Aquilino Pimentel, which further devolved the National government powers into the local government units to enact local taxation measures, and assured them of a share of the National International Revenue.

Issued the Presidential Proclamation 131 and Executive Order 229 in July 22, 1987 These laws outlined the Presidential land reform program and expanded the land reform to sugar lands.

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (1988)

Known as RA No. 6657 This law authorized the redistribution of the agricultural lands to tenant farmers from landowners who were paid in exchange by the government just compensation and allowed to retain not more than 5 hectares of land. It allowed corporate landowners under the law to voluntarily divert a proportion to their capital stock, equity or participation in favor of their workers or other qualified beneficiaries. Called by the Supreme Court as the Revolutionary kind of expropriation.

Paid the $4 Billion debt to be able to get good international ratings and attract the future market in 1986. During her administration, President Cory set out on a course of market liberation agenda.

This agenda aims to bring back fiscal discipline in order to trim down the government budget deficit.

Some of the law that was put into act was Built- Operate- Transfer Law, Foreign Investments Act and the Consumer Protection and Welfare Act.
From 1992 present, President Cory was the president of the Benigno S. Aquino Jr Foundation, a foundation in name of her late husband Former President Ninoy Aquino.

She supported many causes as well, such a GawadKalinga just to name a few. She also helped established PinoyMEFoundation. This is a non-profit organization, which aims to provide micro financing program and projects for the poor.

She was also an active member of the Council of Women World Leaders.

Here is a list of President Corys Awards and Achievements throughout her term as president. 1986 - Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award 1986 - United Nations Silver Medal 1986 - Canadian International Prize for Freedom 1986 - Nobel Peace Prize nominee 1986 - International Democracy Award from the International Association of Political Consultants 1987 - Prize For Freedom Award from Liberal International 1993 - Special Peace Award from the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Awards Foundation and Concerned Women of the Philippines 1994 - One of 100 Women Who Shaped World History (by G.M. Rolka, Bluewood Books, San Francisco, CA) 1995 - Path to Peace Award 1996 - J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding from the U.S. Department of State 1998 - Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding 1998 - Pearl S. Buck Award 1999 - One of Time Magazine's 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century 2001 - World Citizenship Award 2005 - David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards 2005 - One of the World's Elite Women Who Make a Difference by the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame 2006 - One of Time Magazine's 65 Asian Heroes 2008 - One of A Different View's 15 Champions of World Democracy