Skip to main content
Flash CardsUPCAT · General Information

UPCAT General Information — Philippine Presidents & Vice-PresidentsFlash Cards

Quick-recall flashcards for Philippine Presidents & Vice-Presidents. They work best after you have read the chapter once — use them to check what stuck for the UPCAT.

Super Tutor's reviews for ACET, DLSU DCAT, USTET, PUPCET, FEU-CAT, CEU Entrance Exam, MSU-SASE, DOST-SEI, PMAEE and PNPACAT use these same chapters, so they live here in the UPCAT section.

Philippine Presidents & Vice-Presidents - Flashcards

This comprehensive flashcard set covers all Philippine presidents and vice-presidents from the First Republic to the present. These cards will help you master key facts, timelines, and important details commonly tested in entrance examinations like the UPCAT. Focus on understanding the historical context, significant achievements, and unique characteristics of each leader that shaped our nation's political landscape.

Flashcards

Who was the first President of the Philippines and when was he inaugurated?

First Republiceasy

Answer

Emilio F. Aguinaldo was the first President of the Philippines. He was inaugurated on January 23, 1899, during the First Republic (Malolos Republic). The republic was proclaimed on June 12, 1898, making this a foundational moment in Philippine independence. His vice-president was Mariano C. Trias.

Who is known as the 'Father of the National Language' and why?

Commonwealth Periodmedium

Answer

Manuel L. Quezon is known as the 'Father of the National Language' because he declared Tagalog as the basis of the national language during his presidency. He was the first Commonwealth President (1935-1944) and played a crucial role in establishing Filipino linguistic identity during the preparation for independence.

Which president died in a plane crash and where did it occur?

Third Republicmedium

Answer

Ramon F. Magsaysay died in a plane crash on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu on March 17, 1957. Known as the 'Idol of the Masses,' he was beloved for his simple lifestyle and connection to ordinary Filipinos. His death shocked the nation and cut short what many considered a promising presidency focused on social reform.

When was Martial Law declared in the Philippines and under what proclamation?

Martial Law Periodhard

Answer

Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972, under Proclamation 1081 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. This marked the beginning of a 14-year period of authoritarian rule that lasted until the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus and Congress, ruling by decree.

Who was the first female President of the Philippines and how did she come to power?

Fifth Republicmedium

Answer

Corazon C. Aquino was the first female President of the Philippines. She came to power through the EDSA People Power Revolution (February 22-25, 1986), which peacefully overthrew the Marcos dictatorship. She served from 1986-1992 with Salvador H. Laurel as her vice-president, leading the restoration of democracy.

Which president served the longest term and for how many years?

Martial Law Periodmedium

Answer

Ferdinand E. Marcos served the longest term as President, ruling for 21 years from 1965 to 1986. His presidency began normally but extended far beyond constitutional limits when he declared Martial Law in 1972. He was eventually ousted by the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.

Who was the first President of the Third Republic after Philippine independence?

Third Republicmedium

Answer

Manuel L. Roxas was the first President of the Third Republic, inaugurated on July 4, 1946, marking the start of Philippine independence from the United States. He served with Elpidio R. Quirino as his vice-president but died in office in 1948, serving only about 2 years.

During the Japanese Occupation, who served as President of the Second Republic?

Japanese Occupationhard

Answer

José P. Laurel served as President during the Japanese Occupation (1943-1945), leading the Second Republic. This was a puppet government established by the Japanese. His vice-presidents were Benigno Aquino, Sr. and later Ramón Avanceña. This period is considered illegitimate by many historians.

Which two presidents faced impeachment proceedings?

Fifth Republichard

Answer

Joseph E. Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo both faced impeachment proceedings. Estrada resigned during EDSA II in January 2001 before the trial concluded. Arroyo faced multiple impeachment attempts during her presidency (2001-2010) but survived all of them and completed her full term.

Who was the first President from Mindanao?

Recent Presidentsmedium

Answer

Rodrigo R. Duterte was the first President from Mindanao, specifically from Davao City. He served from 2016-2022 with Maria Leonor 'Leni' G. Robredo as his vice-president. His presidency was notably defined by his controversial drug war campaign and his Mindanaoan perspective on national issues.

Which president succeeded Quezon after his death, and how long did he serve?

Commonwealth Periodmedium

Answer

Sergio S. Osmeña, Sr. succeeded Quezon after his death and became the shortest-serving president, serving approximately 2 years (1944-1946). He had been Quezon's vice-president and completed the Commonwealth period, transitioning the country toward independence under very challenging wartime conditions.

Name the mother-son presidential pair in Philippine history.

Political Dynastiesmedium

Answer

Corazon C. Aquino (mother) and Benigno S. 'Noynoy' Aquino III (son) are the mother-son presidential pair. Cory served 1986-1992 after EDSA I, while Noynoy served 2010-2016. Both were associated with pro-democracy movements and reform agendas, continuing the Aquino family's political legacy.

Which father-daughter pair both served as President?

Political Dynastiesmedium

Answer

Diosdado P. Macapagal (father) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (daughter) both served as President. Diosdado served 1961-1965, while Gloria served 2001-2010. Gloria was also the second female President. Both were economists and both faced significant political challenges during their respective terms.

Who is the current President of the Philippines as of 2022?

Current Administrationeasy

Answer

Ferdinand R. 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is the current President, serving since 2022. He is the son of former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. His vice-president is Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, making this an interesting political alliance between two powerful political families.

List the presidents who served as vice-president first before becoming president.

Vice-Presidential Successionhard

Answer

The presidents who served as vice-president first are: Elpidio R. Quirino (VP under Roxas), Carlos P. Garcia (VP under Magsaysay), Diosdado P. Macapagal (VP under Garcia), Joseph E. Estrada (VP under Ramos), and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (VP under Estrada). This shows the traditional stepping-stone role of the vice-presidency.

Compare the First Republic (Aguinaldo) with the Commonwealth (Quezon) in terms of international recognition.

Political Legitimacyhard

Answer

The First Republic under Aguinaldo (1899-1901) had limited international recognition and faced immediate war with the US. The Commonwealth under Quezon (1935-1944) had full US recognition and international legitimacy as a transitional government preparing for independence. Quezon's government was more institutionally developed and internationally accepted.

What was unique about Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s electoral victories?

Electoral Historymedium

Answer

Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was the only president to be re-elected for a second full term (1969) before Martial Law. He won in 1965 and 1969 through legitimate elections, but then extended his rule indefinitely through Martial Law (1972-1986), making him the longest-serving president through both democratic and authoritarian means.

Who served as vice-president under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her two different periods?

Vice-Presidential Historymedium

Answer

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had two different vice-presidents: Teofisto T. Guingona (2001-2004) when she first assumed office after Estrada's resignation, and Manuel 'Noli' de Castro (2004-2010) after she won the 2004 election. This reflects the complex circumstances of her rise to power through EDSA II.

What significant constitutional change occurred during the Marcos presidency regarding presidential terms?

Constitutional Changeshard

Answer

During Marcos's presidency, the 1973 Constitution was ratified, which changed the presidential system to a parliamentary one initially, but Marcos retained executive power. More significantly, when he declared Martial Law in 1972, he suspended the constitution and extended his presidency indefinitely, breaking the two-term limit tradition established since Quezon.

Which president implemented the most significant land reform program and what was it called?

Policy Achievementsmedium

Answer

Corazon Aquino implemented the most comprehensive land reform program through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988. However, the program faced significant challenges and was later continued by succeeding presidents. Magsaysay also had notable land reform efforts earlier, but CARP was the most extensive attempt at land redistribution.

What was the political relationship between the current President and Vice-President's families?

Contemporary Politicsmedium

Answer

The current President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio represent a political alliance between two powerful families. Marcos Jr. is the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., while Sara is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. This partnership united Luzon and Mindanao political strongholds in the 2022 election.

Arrange these periods in chronological order: Third Republic, Commonwealth, First Republic, Fifth Republic.

Historical Timelinemedium

Answer

Chronological order: 1) First Republic (1899-1901), 2) Commonwealth (1935-1946), 3) Third Republic (1946-1972), 4) Fifth Republic (1986-present). Note that the Second Republic (1943-1945) occurred during the Japanese Occupation, and the Fourth Republic is sometimes used to refer to the Martial Law period (1972-1986).

Diagrams

Philippine Presidential Timeline

Comprehensive timeline showing all Philippine presidents from 1899 to present, highlighting key transitions, republics, and major political events that shaped the nation's leadership succession.

Philippine Presidential Characteristics

Mind map organizing key characteristics, patterns, and notable events in Philippine presidential history, showing relationships between different aspects of presidential succession and governance.

Philippine Presidents & Vice-Presidents is chapter 4 of 6 in the General Information part of Super Tutor's UPCAT review. The University of the Philippines College Admission Test is given by University of the Philippines Office of Admissions; its dates, format and passing rules are on the UPCAT page. See the UPCAT guide.

Study Philippine Presidents & Vice-Presidents in the Super Tutor app

Super Tutor's UPCAT review has every chapter in 11 study formats, practice quizzes at three difficulty levels and an AI tutor, plus full UPCAT mock exams. Start free — 5-day trial, no card.

Reviewing for another exam? Start free for: