Talk:President of the Philippines

The Fourth/New Republic Problem

Most sources on the internet generally imply that the "Fourth Republic" and the "New Republic" are one in the same and existed 1981-1987. Certainly, a republic did come into effect in 1981. Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed the establishment of a "New Republic of the Philippines" upon re-election in 1981. Since the previous republic was the 3rd, it makes sense this one is the 4th.

Not so. Correspondence I have from the Philippines' National Historical Institute (NHI) states that the "Fourth Republic" was established with the adoption of the 1973 Constitution, adopted on January 17 1973. There is no mention of a republic being established in 1981. It then goes on to mention the "Fifth Republic" established with the 1987 Constitution, adopted on February 11, 1987).

After going through many internet sources and political documents there is a fair amount of evidence to dispute that the "Fourth" and "New" Republics are not actually the same leading to the following:

1st Republic: 1899-1901

2nd Republic: 1943-1945

Commonwealth: 1935-1946

3rd Republic: 1946-1973

4th Republic: 1973-1981

New Republic: 1981-1987

5th Republic: 1987-Present

Part of the problem may be the definition of what a Republic is. Also, Ferdinand Marcos was changing the constitution left, right, and centre 1972-1986 to ensure he maintained his position of Head of State. This also might be part of the problem.

In any case, I sent my "case" back to the NHI. After nearly 8 months of no answer, I finally sent it off to the relevant Senate Committee this week in hope of an answer. In any case, until someone decides to come back with a definite answer, if anyone out there can shed any light on this puzzle, please let me know.

Taiwai94

The answer depends on the view of legitimacy of the 1973 Constitution, which muddles the issue. However, based on the explanation of the NHI, it does seem fair to date the 4th Republic to 1981 for this reason: in 1973, the new constitution was "approved", but its provisions were not fully enforced until 1981. From 1973, when Marcos's term expired under the 1935 Constitution, he justified remaining in office on the basis of referenda called for the purpose of permitting his continuation in office. He did not secure a new mandate until 1981, hence the inauguration; prior to that, the legislature he set up was in fact called the Interim Batasang Pambansa, and it did not become a regular Batasang Pambansa until 1981, which was also the year martial law was officially lifted. So, from 1973-1981, the country could be said to have been under a state of emergency with the president enjoying far-reaching emergency powers.

Gareon

Re-Election Question

I don't want to edit the part about presidents being able to run for reelection if the term of office was not completed. I am not certain regarding the source of this information. Please note the following from the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

Article 7 Section 4

The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected.

(",) Mang Kiko 03:10, 19 Aug 2003 (UTC)

I placed it there because I didn't know why Arroyo can still run in 2004. It seems that this sentence: "No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time." fits the bill nicely. Feel free to edit my mistake! --seav 03:25, Aug 19, 2003 (UTC)

I see your point... (",) Mang Kiko 03:34, 19 Aug 2003 (UTC)

She hasn't been elected and she has not served more than four years, so she can run in 2004.

May punto ka diyan! (You have a point there). Thanks Seav for the quick response! (",) Mang Kiko 03:48, 19 Aug 2003 (UTC)

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