ABSTRACT
The Republic of the Philippines was established as an independent state on 4 July 1946 when sovereignty was transferred by the US colonial administration. The US model of democracy was replaced by authoritarian rule under President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 until 1986. Constitutional democracy was restored by President Corazón Aquino, who was succeeded in office by Fidel Ramos after elections in May 1992. From Corazón Aquino onwards, the tenure of presidential office was restricted to a single six-year term. President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, son of Corazón Aquino, was elected to office in June 2010.
