WHAT WENT BEFORE: How power was transferred from one president to another from EDSA time

The transfer of power between Philippine presidents since the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 via a bloodless EDSA People Power Revolution has been smooth and peaceful. 

Six presidents later, another Marcos is back in Malacañang.

From FM to Cory

Back in February 22, 1986, then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff Fidel Ramos withdrawing their support for Marcos marked the beginning of the end for Ferdinand Marcos (FM) and his family, including his son and now President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

While millions of people protesting against the Marcos regime gathered on EDSA, Marcos still addressed the nation and claimed he was in control on February 24, 1986. However on the same day, opposition candidate Corazon "Cory" Aquino delivered her inaugural address just two weeks after the vote tabulators of the February 7, 1986 snap elections walked out on February 9 due to what they saw as poll fraud.

Aquino, widow of slain former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., took her oath of office on February 25, 1986 at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan. Marcos was also inaugurated as the newly elected President the same day and addressed Filipinos from the balcony of Malacañang. However, it turned out to be the last public address and appearance of Marcos in the Philippines.

Marcos and his family flew out of the country and went to Hawaii later that night of February 25, 1986.

Cory to FVR

The 1992 presidential polls, on the other hand, was tightly contested by those who once served as members of the Aquino Cabinet — Ramos (Defense) and Agrarian Reform Secretary Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Santiago led most of the way, but Ramos ultimately won the polls conducted manually just like the 1986 snap elections.

Cory Aquino attended Ramos' inauguration on June 30, 1992, making FVR (Ramos' initials) the first chief executive to be inaugurated on that date as provided for under the 1987 Constitution.

Ramos, who had his inauguration at Quirino Grandstand, served from 1992 to 1998.

FVR to Erap

For the 1998 polls, FVR backed his then Speaker, Jose de Venecia of Pangasinan, for the top post. De Venecia, however, lost his presidential bid to former actor and longtime politician Vice President Joseph "Erap" Estrada by a mile.

Estrada met his predecessor Ramos in Malacañang before his inauguration.

He then took his oath as president at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, but delivered his inaugural speech at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Estrada' presidency, however, was brief. Massive allegations of corruption and a dramatic impeachment trial prompted him to leave office on January 20, 2001 after another people's power revolt, referred to as EDSA Dos. 

Erap to GMA

When Estrada left Malacañang, his then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) was installed into power. Her immediate succession to Estrada was her first term of presidency.

She delivered her inaugural address at the EDSA Shrine at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City. Arroyo was sworn into office by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. The Bible used during the inauguration was held by Cecila Paz Abad, daughter of Florencio "Butch" Abad.

For her second term, Macapagal-Arroyo, the country's second female president, was also sworn in by Davide Jr. at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on June 30, 2004. Prior to the oath-taking ceremony, she delivered a 20-minute speech before a huge crowd at the Quirino Grandstand.

Macapagal-Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, held the Bible as she took her oath of office.

GMA to PNoy

On June 30, 2010, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, son of democracy icons Ninoy Aquino and former president Cory Aquino, met Arroyo first at Malacañang before being sworn into office by Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Aquino, also referred to as PNoy, tapped Morales as he did not want to take his oath before then-SC Chief Justice Renato Corona whose appointment he staunchly opposed, as it was made at the 11th hour by Arroyo.

Aquino then backed his buddy and Interior and Local Government chief Manuel "Mar" Roxas II in the 2016 presidential elections. But come June 30, 2016, the first Philippine president from Mindanao in the name of Rodrigo Duterte was inaugurated as president at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañang Palace.

PNoy to Duterte

Duterte first met PNoy at Malacañang before the inauguration ceremony presided over by SC Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes. Duterte wore a barong tagalog made from piña jusi fabric and designed by Boni Adaza of Davao-based fashion house Chardin.

Duterte's daughter, Veronica, held the Bible as he was sworn into office. His former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and children Paolo, Sara, and Sebastian "Baste" were present during the ceremony, as well as his common-law wife Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña.

Duterte to Marcos

On June 30, 2022 at 12 noon, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will take his oath as the 17th president of the Philippines after securing more than 31 million votes in the recent elections and 36 years after his father was ousted from power. —KG/RSJ, GMA News