Joseph Estrada began his presidency at noon on June 30, 1998, following his inauguration as the 13th president of the Philippines, succeeding Fidel Ramos. He was deposed on January 20, 2001, following the Second EDSA Revolution.
Estrada campaigned on a pro-poor platform. He ordered the removal of all sovereign guarantees on contracts for public projects which would require the sovereign Filipino people to assume the financial losses of private companies doing business with the government. He made efforts to clean the bureaucracy by ordering the immediate relief of corrupt officials in the military and police hierarchy. He ordered a wide-ranging investigation of all government contracts entered into by the previous administration to ensure these were above-board and directly advantageous to the citizenry. He also ordered the investigation of suspected big-time tax evaders including individuals who had contributed to his presidential campaign. He undertook an aggressive housing program on a national basis, targeting low-cost homes for the poor.
Estrada assumed office amid the Asian Financial Crisis and with agricultural problems due to poor weather conditions, thereby slowing the economic growth to -0.6% in 1998 from a 5.2% in 1997. The economy recovered by 3.4% in 1999 and 4% in 2000.Abaya, Antonio. (January 17, 2007). . Retrieved September 28, 2009. The agricultural sector received greater priority, while the national government took steps to bring down the cost of medicine. His term was marked by a growth in foreign investments. He declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which led to the capture of the largest camp of the MILF.
In 2000, Estrada was accused of illegally accepting payoffs from various sources, including jueteng, a popular local numbers game, sparking a national controversy that led to the House of Representatives voting to impeach him. The Senate impeachment trial ended abruptly in mid-January 2001 after prosecutors staged a walk-out after the senators voted against the opening of a document that supposedly contained substantial evidence against Estrada. The decision drew protesters to EDSA, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines later withdrew their support. On January 20, 2001, Estrada resigned from office and fled Malacañang. Following the Supreme Court's decision upholding the legality of the Arroyo presidency, Estrada was arrested at his San Juan home on April 25, 2001, on the warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan for plunder charges.
Election and inauguration
Estrada was inaugurated on June 30, 1998, in the historical town of Malolos, Bulacan. Later that afternoon, Estrada delivered his inaugural address at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. In his inaugural address, Estrada said:
Major issues of presidency Speeches
Inaugural Address, (June 30, 1998) First State of the Nation Address, (July 27, 1998) Second State of the Nation Address, (July 26, 1999) Third State of the Nation Address, (July 24, 2000)
Major acts and legislation Second RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) – designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development of its natural resources Incentives for Regional Headquarters of Foreign Multinationals (Republic Act No. 8756) – The measure grants a host of incentives to multinational firms establishing their regional hubs in the country. It also provides a tax- and duty-free operating environment for them, and multiple entry visas to expatriates and their families, as well as a flat income tax rate of 15%. Retail Trade Liberalization Act (Republic Act No. 8762) – The bill dismantles 40 years of state protectionism over the country's retail trade industry and opens the sector to big foreign players. New General Banking Act (Republic Act No. 8791) – The measure opens up the local banking industry to foreign players after almost 50 years of having it exclusively reserved and protected for Filipino nationals. Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) – Outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy New Securities Act (Republic Act No. 8799) – This law liberalizes the securities market by shifting policy from merit regulation to full disclosure. With its strengthened provisions against fraud, the measure is expected to pave the way for the full development of the Philippine equities and securities market.
Administration and cabinet Cabinet (1998–2001)
Office Name Term President H.E. Joseph Ejercito Estrada June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Vice-President H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora July 1, 1998 – December 31, 2000 Edgardo Angara January 6, 2001 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Agrarian Reform Horacio Morales, Jr. July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Agriculture William Dar July 1, 1998 – May 24, 1999 Edgardo Angara May 25, 1999 – January 6, 2001 Domingo F. Panganiban January 8, 2001 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin Diokno July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports Andrew Gonzalez July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Energy Mario Tiaoqui July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Antonio Cerilles July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Finance Edgardo Espiritu July 1, 1998 – December 31, 1999 Jose Pardo January 2, 2000 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon, Jr. June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Health Felipe Estrella, Jr. June 30, 1998 – September 13, 1998 Alberto Romualdez, Jr. September 14, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of the Interiorand Local Government Joseph Ejercito Estrada(in concurrent capacity as President) July 1, 1998 – April 12, 1999 Ronaldo Puno April 12, 1999 – January 7, 2000 Alfredo Lim January 8, 2000 – January 19, 2001 Secretary of Justice Serafin Cuevas June 30, 1998 – February 11, 2000 Artemio Tuquero February 11, 2000 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Labor and Employment Bienvenido Laguesma June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of National Defense Orlando S. Mercado June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Public Works and Highways Gregorio Vigilar June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Science and Technology William Padolina June 30, 1998 – January 29, 1999 Filemino Uriarte February 1, 1999 – January 1, 2001 Rogelio A. Panlasigui January 2, 2001 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Gloria Macapagal Arroyo July 1, 1998 – October 3, 2000 Dulce Sasuisag October 4, 2000 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Tourism Gemma Cruz-Araneta July 1, 1998 – January 19, 2001 Secretary of Trade and Industry Jose Pardo July 1, 1998 – 1999 Manuel Roxas II 1999 – January 20, 2001 Secretary of Transportation and Communications Vicente Rivera, Jr. July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Presidential Spokesperson Sec. Fernardo Barican June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes June 30, 1998 – April 12, 2000 Ricardo Puno April 13, 2000 – January 20, 2001 Malacañang Chief of Staff Sec. Aprodicio Laquian February 2000 – March 22, 2000 Head of the Presidential Management Staff Leonora de Jesus June 30, 1998 – 2000 Macel Fernandez 2000 – January 20, 2001 Chairpersonof the Commission on Higher Education Angel Alcala June 30, 1998 – July 11, 1999 Ester Garcia July 12, 1999 – January 20, 2001 Director-Generalof the National Economic and Development Authority Felipe Medalla July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Solicitor General Ricardo Galvez June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Chairmanof the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Jejomar Binay July 1, 1998 – January 20, 2001 National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre July 1, 1998 – January 19, 2001 Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Manuel Yan June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 Lead Convenorof the National Anti-Poverty Commission Horacio Morales, Jr. December 1998 – October 2000 Dulce Saguisag October 2000 – January 20, 2001 Chief of the Philippine National Police Police Dep. Dir. Gen. Roberto Lastimoso 1998 – 1999 Police Dep. Dir. Gen. Edmundo Larroza (OIC) 1999 – November 1999 Police Dir. Gen. Panfilo Lacson November 1999 – January 20, 2001 Chief of Staffof the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Joselino Nazareno 1998 – 2000 Gen. Angelo Reyes 2000 – January 20, 2001
Other cabinet-level and high posts Cabinet level
Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora (1998–2000) Edgardo Angara (2000–2001) Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes (1998–1999) Ricardo Puno (1999–2001) Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican (1998–2001) Presidential Chief of Staff Aprodicio Lacquian (1999–2000) Head of the Presidential Management Staff Leonora de Jesus (1998–2000) Macel Fernandez (2000–2001) Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Jejomar Binay (1998–2001)
Others Flagship Programs Robert Aventajado (1998–2001) Director General, Philippine National Police Gen. Roberto Lastimoso (1998–1999) Gen. Edmundo L. Larroza, Officer-in-Charge (1999) Gen. Panfilo Lacson (1999–2001)
Supreme Court appointments Estrada nominated the following to the Supreme Court of the Philippines:
Justice Bernardo P. Pardo – September 30, 1998 Hilario Davide, Jr. – Chief Justice November 30, 1998 (an associate justice since 1991) Justice Arturo B. Buena – January 5, 1999 Justice Minerva P. Gonzaga-Reyes – January 5, 1999 Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago – April 6, 1999 Justice Sabino R. De Leon, Jr. – October 12, 1999 Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez – December 22, 2000 (his last SC justice appointee)
Pardons Estrada granted pardon to the following: Rodolfo Dominguez Quizon, Jr. (September 28, 1998) – convicted of arson
Domestic policies Economy
Even with its strong economic team, the Estrada administration failed to capitalize on the gains of the previous administration. Estrada's administration was severely criticized for cronyism, incompetence, and corruption, causing it to lose the confidence of foreign investors. Foreign investors' confidence was further damaged when, in his second year, Estrada was accused of exerting influence in an investigation of a friend's involvement in stock market manipulation. Social unrest brought about by numerous bombing threats, actual bombings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities contributed to the economy's troubles. Economic performance was also hurt by climatic disturbance that caused extremes of dry and wet weather.
Toward the end of Estrada's administration, the fiscal deficit had doubled to more than 100 billion from a low of 49 billion in 1998. Despite such setbacks, the rate of GNP in 1999 increased to 3.6 percent from 0.1 percent in 1998, and the GDP posted a 3.2 percent growth rate, up from a low of −0.5 percent in 1998. Debt reached 2.1 trillion in 1999. Domestic debt amounted to 986.7 billion while foreign debt stood at US$52.2 billion.Records prove Estrada's achievements – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
Unemployment increased from 10.3% in 1998 to 11.2% in 2000. Endo contractualization and labor export became more prevalent while the minimum wage remained stagnant. Labor strikes during Estrada's presidency were dispersed violently.
Masa format on radio During his term, Estrada ordered to the National Telecommunications Commission to adopt a Filipino language-based radio format known as masa. Named for his icon Masa (or Masses), all radio stations adopted the masa format since 1998, as DJ's wanted to replace English language-based stations immediately to air OPM songs and requests. After his term in 2001, several FM stations continued to adopt the masa format nationwide.
Saguisag Commission