Fidel Ramos

Biography

Fidel Valdez Ramos (March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022) was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. Born in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Ramos was the only career military officer to reach the rank of five-star general in Philippine history. His military career spanned decades, starting as a second lieutenant and eventually becoming the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Ramos studied at the United States Military Academy at West Point and continued his education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of the Philippines.

During Ferdinand Marcos's rule, Ramos held important roles as Chief of the Philippine Constabulary and Vice Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces. His career changed significantly during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution when he decided to withdraw support from Marcos and join the opposition led by Corazon Aquino. This decision gained him recognition as a hero of the revolution and aided in the peaceful transition of power. After Aquino became president, Ramos served in her cabinet, first as chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces and then as Secretary of National Defense from 1986 to 1991.

Ramos became president in 1992, making history as the first Protestant president of the mainly Catholic Philippines. His administration focused on economic reforms and infrastructure development, receiving praise for revitalizing the economy and boosting international investor confidence. He promoted foreign investment, deregulated key industries, and modernized telecommunications and energy sectors. His economic program, known as Philippines 2000, aimed to make the country a newly industrialized nation by the year 2000.

Throughout his career, Ramos received many international honors such as the Commander of the Legion of Merit, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize in 1997, and from Spain, the Order of Isabella the Catholic in 1995 and the Collar of the Order of Charles III in 1998. He was married to Amelita Ramos, who supported him throughout his military and political journey. After his presidency, Ramos stayed involved in public affairs, advising later administrations. He passed away from COVID-19 complications at Makati Medical Center on July 31, 2022, at 94 years old.