List of presidents of the Philippines by military service

Of the 17 individuals who have served as president of the Philippines, only six had prior military service, while 11 had none.

The first Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, holds the distinction of having attained the highest military rank prior to assuming the presidency, serving as generalissimo of the Philippine Revolutionary Army and later of the Philippine Republican Army.

The most recent president to have had previous military experience was Fidel V. Ramos, who served as a general of the Philippine Constabulary until 1988, when he was appointed Secretary of National Defense by then-president Corazon Aquino.

List of presidents by military service

NamePortraitRankBranchYear(s) servedWartime service Medals and decorationsNotes Emilio Aguinaldo Generalissimo Philippine Revolutionary Army 1896–1901 Philippine Revolution, Philippine–American War Became Commanding General of the entire Revolutionary Army after the assassination of Gen. Antonio Luna in June 1899 Manuel Quezon Commandant Philippine Republican Army 1899–1901Philippine–American War Served under Gen. Tomas Mascardo and also aide-de-camp to President AguinaldoJose P. Laurel colspan="7" rowspan="2" Sergio Osmeña Manuel Roxas Brigadier General Philippine Commonwealth Army 1941–1945 World War II Covertly provided intelligence reports to guerilla units while acting as chief advisor to President Jose P. LaurelElpidio Quirino colspan="7" Ramon Magsaysay CaptainPhilippine Commonwealth Army 1942–1945World War II 31st Infantry Division, present during the Battle of Bataan (1942). Later became Secretary of National Defense under President Elpidio QuirinoCarlos P. Garcia colspan="7" rowspan="2" Diosdado MacapagalFerdinand E. Marcos 1st Lieutenant USAFFE1942–1945World War II 21st Infantry Division, present during the Battle of Bataan and the subsequent Death March (1942) Major USAFIP-NL 14th Infantry RegimentCorazon Aquino colspan="7" Fidel V. Ramos General Philippine Constabulary 1950–1988 Korean War, Vietnam War Only president to have served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces (1984–1985; 1986–1988), and commander of a service branch (1972–1986)Joseph Estrada colspan="7" rowspan="5" Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoBenigno Aquino IIIRodrigo DuterteBongbong Marcos

References