The U.S. gave the Philippines independence and Manual Roxan y Acuna is elected as the first president of the new republic.

Ferdinand E. Marcos is elected by a big majority as president.

Martial Law was declared by President Marcos. This period is marked with human rights abuses and corruption.

Marcos lifts martial law.

Opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino returns from exile and is assassinated on arrival at Manila International Airport; Aquinos Widow Corazon leads the people power protest movement.

Marcos was officially declared winner in a presidential election beating Corazon Aquino amid charges of fraud; demonstrations erupt; Marcos flees to Hawaii; Aquino is declared president.

Endorsed by Aquino, her Secretary of Defense Gen. Fidel Ramos wins presidential election. U.S. Philippine congress rejects a new treaty with the U.S. and Subic Bay naval base and clark air field

The government of Ramos agrees to greater autonomy for southern island of Mindanao. Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ends the guerrilla war with the government.

Asian financial crisis grips Asia and the Philippines escapes the crisis despite series of currency devaluations.

Former movie actor Joseph Estrada is elected president.

On charges of corruption, the lower house impeach Estrada.

Estrada was forced to step down due to public outrage over corruption allegations. Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumes the presidency.

Presidential election takes place. Arroyos closest rival (a dear friend of Ex-President Estrada) is film actor Fernando Poe, Jr. Arroyo narrowly defeats Poe, taking 39.5% of the vote to Poes 36.6%.

A taped coversation between President Arroyo and an election official surfaced during the 2004 elections implying she influenced the official elections results.

Former President Joseph Estrada is convicted of plunder, the first ever in the history of the Philippines.

First automated national elections in the Philippines.

Benigno "Noynoy" Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III wins the Presidential elections and sworn in at Manilas Rizal Park on June 30, 2010.

Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte, the former Mayor of Davao City assumes the Presidency. He is the first president to come from Mindanao.