Ramos liberalized the Philippine economy and achieved landmark peace agreements.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos has passed away at the age of 94, according to July 31 reports, including by state media.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles has since issued a statement to condole with the late president’s loved ones.
“It is with great sorrow that we learn of the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos. He leaves behind a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for his participation in the great changes of our country, both as military officer and chief executive,” the statement read.
Military honors
The public generally regards the military leader and politician as one of the most effective presidents in Philippine history.
Under his term, Ramos combatted corruption in the national police force, promoted family-planning practices to curb the Philippines’ population growth, and liberalized the country’s economy to spur growth.
Notably, his administration reached historic peace agreements with both the communist New People’s Army and the separatist Moro National Liberation Front. He even received the UNESCO Peace Award in 1997 for such efforts.
The Ramos administration focused on deregulating major industries dominated by few large companies and improving the government’s inefficient tax-collection system.
Such actions were attributed to helping revitalize the Philippine economy from 1994 to 1997, then protect it from a severe crisis that crippled national economies across Southeast Asia in 1998.
Soldiering on
Ramos was born March 18, 1928, in Lingayen, Pangasinan. He studied at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as well as the University of Illinois.
After entering the Philippine army, Ramos served in both Korea and Vietnam.
In 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos, Ramos’ second cousin, appointed the latter as chief of the Philippine Constabulary. He then became deputy chief of staff of the armed forces nearly a decade later in 1981.
Following the controversial 1986 presidential elections, however, Ramos and defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile supported Marcos’ opponent, Corazon Aquino.
After the “People Power” movement and during Aquino’s presidency, Ramos served as military chief of staff and then secretary of national defense. During this time, he suppressed several military coup attempts against her government.
He would then become Aquino’s successor after winning the presidential election in May 1992.
Banner Photo by National Historical Commission of the Philippines via website.
