Best President of the Philippines (an Opinion)

The “Man of the Masses”, “Champion of the Common Man” and “The People’s President” these are just few words to describe how former president Ramon Magsaysay dedicated his life for public service and exemplified what is to be the true meaning of being a servant and a leader.         

During his administration, Philippines was still recovering from the destruction brought by the world war II and Magsaysay being the president was left with issues unresolved like the rebellion of Hukbalahap members led by Luis Taruc, land reforms problems, and the lack of financial means for the rehabilitation of the Philippines from the damages brought by the war. 1

Magsaysay encouraged the Huks to return to the mainstream society and live peacefully again. On May 16, 1954, Luis Taruc, together with his members, surrendered to the government. On May 9, 1956, Philippines and Japan signed the reparations agreement that ordered Japan to compensate for the damages to the Philippines brought by the WWII. Also during his term that the Land Tenure Program Law was passed in congress, that enabled farmers to own the land they till. 2

The highlight on Magsaysay’s administration was he made the government closer to the people. He created Presidential complaints and Action Committee (PCAC) that enabled the citizens to dialogue and let their needs be heard by the government. It also enabled the people to have access to public services, participate in policy formation, and support the other programs of the government. He also opened Malacañang to the public.2 Through this, it led him to better understand the concerns of the people in relation to what he stated in his credo, “I believe that government starts at the bottom and moves upward, for government exists for the welfare of the masses of the nation. I believe that he who has less in life should have more in law.3”Also Magsaysay resisted and has zero tolerance for corruption.1