List of presidents of the Philippines by education explained

This is a complete list of Philippine presidents by college education that consists of the 17 heads of state in the history of the Philippines.

Almost all presidents (except Emilio Aguinaldo, Joseph Estrada, and Bongbong Marcos) completed a college degree program.[1] College and postgraduate education have prepared presidents in their future roles as heads of state, architects of foreign policy, commanders-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and managers of the entire government bureaucracy.

By law, under the Constitution of the Philippines, any Filipino citizen aged forty and above who can read and write and can meet residency requirements is eligible to run as president. However, in practice, popularity, political machinery, and financial resources are the key elements leading to a successful presidential candidate.

List by degree

This section lists presidents according to schools from which they earned degrees. Schools that presidents attended but did not earn degrees from are not included.

Did not graduate from college

LL.B.

The J.D. was first conferred in the Philippines in lieu of the LL.B. by the Ateneo Law School in 1990,[13] with the model program later adopted by most schools now offering the J.D.[14] [15] [16] However, no president as of yet has graduated with the J.D., as all have earned the LL.B. prior to 1990.

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
nowrap Philippine Law SchoolPasay, Metro Manila
nowrap San Beda College of LawManila, Metro Manila
nowrap University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawManila, Metro Manila
nowrap University of the Philippines College of LawQuezon City, Metro Manila

Master's

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
Ateneo de Manila UniversityMakati, Metro Manila
Quezon City, Metro Manila
nowrap Escuela de Derecho de ManilaManila, Metro Manila
nowrap National Defense College of the PhilippinesQuezon City, Metro Manila
nowrap University of IllinoisUrbana, United States
nowrap University of Santo TomasManila, Metro Manila

Ph.D.

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
nowrap University of Santo TomasManila, Metro Manila
nowrap University of the Philippines DilimanQuezon City, Metro Manila
nowrap Yale UniversityNew Haven, United States

Undergraduate

Some presidents attended more than one institution, though only those from which they earned undergraduate degrees are included here. Two presidents never earned undergraduate degrees: Emilio Aguinaldo never attended college, while Joseph Estrada dropped out from both colleges that he attended. One, Bongbong Marcos, did not finish his special diploma course at the Center for Research and Communication and received only a special diploma in social studies from the University of Oxford as he failed two components of his program of study, making him ineligible to receive an undergraduate degree.[8] Marcos still falsely claims that he obtained a degree from Oxford despite Oxford confirming in 2015 and 2021 that Marcos did not finish his degree.[11] [17] [18] [6]

Three presidents attended foreign colleges at the undergraduate level: Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Bongbong Marcos. One president attended a United States service academy: Fidel Ramos graduated from the United States Military Academy as part of his professional education as a career soldier.

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
nowrap Assumption College San LorenzoMakati, Metro Manila
nowrap Ateneo de Manila UniversityQuezon City, Metro Manila
nowrap Colegio de San Juan de LetranManila, Metro Manila
nowrap College of Mount Saint VincentNew York City, United States
nowrap José Rizal CollegeMandaluyong, Metro Manila
nowrap Lyceum of the PhilippinesManila, Metro Manila
nowrap National UniversityPasay, Metro Manila
nowrap United States Military AcademyWest Point, United States
nowrap University of Santo TomasManila, Metro Manila
nowrap University of the PhilippinesQuezon City, Metro Manila

List by specialization

Business school

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
nowrap Ateneo Graduate School of BusinessMakati, Metro Manila
nowrap Wharton School of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, United States

Law school

SchoolLocationPresident(s)
nowrap Escuela de Derecho de ManilaManila, Metro Manila
nowrap Far Eastern University Institute of LawManila, Metro Manila
nowrap Philippine Law SchoolPasay, Metro Manila
nowrap San Beda College of LawManila, Metro Manila
nowrap Silliman University College of LawDumaguete, Negros Oriental
nowrap Manila, Metro Manila
nowrap University of the Philippines College of LawQuezon City, Metro Manila
nowrap Yale Law SchoolNew Haven, United States

List by presidents

PresidentHigh school or equivalentUndergraduate schoolGraduate school
nowrap Emilio Aguinaldo[22] Colegio de San Juan de Letran (did not finish)nonenone
nowrap Manuel L. Quezon[23] Colegio de San Juan de LetranColegio de San Juan de Letran (AB)University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (LL.B)
nowrap José P. Laurel[24] Manila High SchoolUniversity of the Philippines College of Law (LL.B) Escuela de Derecho de Manila (LL.M)
Yale Law School (DCL)
University of Santo Tomas (PhD)
nowrap Sergio Osmeña[25] Colegio-Seminario de San CarlosColegio de San Juan de Letran (AB)University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (LL.B)
nowrap Manuel Roxas[26] Manila High SchoolUniversity of the Philippines College of Law (LL.B)
nowrap Elpidio Quirino[27] Manila High SchoolUniversity of the Philippines College of Law (LL.B)
nowrap Ramon Magsaysay[28] [29] Zambales AcademyUniversity of the Philippines (transferred)
José Rizal College (AB)		none
nowrap Carlos P. Garcia[30] Cebu Provincial High SchoolSilliman University College of Law (transferred)
Philippine Law School (LL.B)
nowrap Diosdado Macapagal[31] Pampanga High SchoolPhilippine Law School (transferred)
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (LL.B)		University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law (LL.M, DCL)
University of Santo Tomas (PhD)
nowrap Ferdinand Marcos[32] University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines College of Law (LL.B)
nowrap Corazon Aquino[33] Assumption Convent (transferred)
Ravenhill Academy (transferred)
Notre Dame Convent School		College of Mount Saint Vincent (AB)Far Eastern University Institute of Law (withdrew)
nowrap Fidel Ramos[34] University of the Philippines (transferred)
Mapúa Institute of Technology (transferred)
Centro Escolar de Señoritas		United States Military Academy (AB)University of Illinois (M.Eng)
National Defense College of the Philippines (MNSA)
Ateneo Graduate School of Business (MBA)
nowrap Joseph Estrada[35] Ateneo de Manila University (did not finish)Mapúa Institute of Technology (transferred)
Polytechnic Colleges of the Philippines (withdrew)		none
nowrap Gloria Macapagal Arroyo[36] Assumption ConventGeorgetown University (transferred)
Assumption College San Lorenzo (AB)		Ateneo de Manila University (MA)
University of the Philippines Diliman (PhD)
nowrap Benigno Aquino III[37] [38] Ateneo de Manila UniversityAteneo de Manila University (AB)none
nowrap Rodrigo Duterte[39] [40] Ateneo de Davao University (did not finish)
Holy Cross Academy of Digos		Lyceum of the Philippines (AB)San Beda College of Law (LL.B)
nowrap Bongbong Marcos[41] [42] Center for Research and Communication (did not finish)
University of Oxford (special diploma)		Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (withdrew)

Other academic associations

Faculty member

President(s)SchoolPositionYears
José P. LaurelProfessor of Law N/A
nowrap Professor of LawN/A
nowrap Professor of Law N/A
nowrap Professor of Law N/A
nowrap Professor of Law N/A
nowrap Central University Professor of Law N/A
nowrap Adamson University College of Law Professor of Law N/A
nowrap Professor of Law 1916
nowrap Elpidio Quirino[43] Adamson University College of Law 1941–1946
nowrap Bohol Provincial High School Teacher 1923
Professor of Law 1941–1957
nowrap Professor of Law 1948
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo[44] Professor of Economics1977–1987
nowrap Assistant Professor1977–1987
nowrap Senior Lecturer1977–1987

School trustee or governor

President(s)SchoolPositionYears
José P. Laurel[47] Chairman, Board of Trustees1952–1959
National Teachers CollegeChancellor 1928–1952

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Philippine Electoral Almanac Revised And Expanded. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. July 7, 2018. mdy-all.
  2. News: Our heroes' formal education, or lack of it. Ocampo. Ambeth. Ambeth Ocampo . October 7, 2015. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 7, 2018.
  3. Book: Barreveld, Dirk J.. Philippine President Estrada Impeached!: How the President of the World's 13th Most Populous Country Stumbles Over His Mistresses, a Chinese Conspiracy and the Garbage of His Capital. 2001. Writers Club Press. 9780595184378. (republished by Google Books)
  4. News: Galvez . Daphne . March 13, 2023 . Marcos admits not finishing 'special diploma' from UA&P . March 14, 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . en-US.
  5. Web site: January 21, 2016 . Marcos: Special diploma from Oxford is same as bachelor's degree .
  6. News: Buan . Lian . October 26, 2021 . Oxford: Bongbong Marcos' special diploma 'not a full graduate diploma' . January 8, 2022 . Rappler . en-US.
  7. Web site: Resume of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. . November 12, 2015 . Senate of the Philippines.
  8. Web site: Oxford group: Marcos received special diploma, no college degree . January 8, 2022 . CNN Philippines . en . January 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220108013504/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/22/Oxford-group-Marcos-credentials.html . dead .
  9. 2012 . Marcos Pa Rin! The Legacy and the Curse of the Marcos Regime . Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies . 28 . 456 . November 6, 2021.
  10. News: Collas-Monsod . Solita . November 6, 2021 . Yes, I tutored Bongbong in Economics . .
  11. News: Vitug . Marites Dañguilan . March 5, 2015 . Oxford University confirms Bongbong Marcos got only 'special diploma' . Rappler . July 9, 2022 .
  12. News: Ariate . Joel F. . Reyes . Miguel Paolo P. . Del Mundo . Larah Vinda . November 1, 2021 . The documents on Bongbong Marcos' university education (Part 1- Oxford University) . .
  13. Web site: Ateneo de Manila Law School - Philippine Leadership Crisis and the J.D. Program . July 7, 2018 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20080508125109/http://ateneolaw.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=93&PHPSESSID=04d268c43e1b638ebebab5e5c486677a . May 8, 2008.
  14. [University of the Philippines College of Law]
  15. The Weekly Sillimanian Vol. LXXXII No.4: SU Law adopts Juris Doctor Program. By: Princess Dianne Kris S. Decierdo. Published July 15, 2009. Archived copies can be viewed and verified at the Sillimaniana Section of the Silliman University Main Library.
  16. Web site: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila - Curricula & Degree Programs . July 14, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090708125525/http://www.plm.edu.ph/curricula.html . July 8, 2009 .
  17. News: Legaspi . Amita O. . September 21, 2014 . Where was Bongbong Marcos when martial law was declared in 1972? . GMA News and Public Affairs . September 2, 2018.
  18. News: Gonzales . Catherine . Bongbong Marcos maintains he's a graduate of Oxford . . February 5, 2022.
  19. Web site: Essential Cory Aquino: The Young Cory. Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation. July 7, 2018. mdy-all.
  20. Common Man's President . https://web.archive.org/web/20110204221345/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828848,00.html . dead . February 4, 2011 . November 24, 1961 . . July 7, 2018.
  21. Web site: Senators Profile - Carlos P. Garcia. Senate of the Philippines. July 7, 2018. mdy-all.
  22. Web site: Emilio Aguinaldo. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144908/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/first-republic/emilio-aguinaldo/. dead.
  23. Web site: Manuel L. Quezon. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. October 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026042339/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/commonwealth/manuel-quezon/. dead.
  24. Web site: Jose P. Laurel. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323182339/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/second-republic/jose-p-laurel/. dead.
  25. Web site: Sergio Osmeña. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041620/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/commonwealth/sergio-osmena/. dead.
  26. Web site: Manuel Roxas. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104134557/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/third-republic/manuel-roxas/. dead.
  27. Web site: Elpidio Quirino. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144747/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/third-republic/elpidio-quirino/. dead.
  28. Web site: Ramon Magsaysay. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. May 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514111050/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/third-republic/ramon-magsaysay/. dead.
  29. Book: Manahan, Manuel P.. Reader's Digest November 1987 issue: Biographical Tribute to Ramon Magsaysay. 1987. 17–23.
  30. Web site: Carlos P. Garcia. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144918/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/third-republic/carlos-garcia/. dead.
  31. Web site: Diosdado Macapagal. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144923/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/third-republic/diosdado-macapagal/. dead.
  32. Web site: Ferdinand E. Marcos. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. August 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120826033152/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fourth-republic/ferdinand-marcos/. dead.
  33. Web site: Corazon C. Aquino. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104134523/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fifth-republic/corazon-aquino/. dead.
  34. Web site: Fidel V. Ramos. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. March 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323145024/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fifth-republic/fidel-ramos/. dead.
  35. Web site: Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. May 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514160653/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fifth-republic/joseph-ejercito-estrada/. dead.
  36. Web site: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Presidential Museum and Library. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. November 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144721/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fifth-republic/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/. dead.
  37. Web site: Benigno S. Aquino III. Presidential Museum and Library. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104004205/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/fifth-republic/benigno-aquino-iii/. November 4, 2012. mdy-all. March 12, 2020.
  38. News: The son also rises: Who is Noynoy Aquino?. September 5, 2009. GMA News Online. July 7, 2018.
  39. News: Vote PH 2016: Rodrigo Duterte. April 12, 2016. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 7, 2018.
  40. News: Duterte vows to strive to be a man for others as taught by Jesuits. Kabiling. Genalyn. January 21, 2018. Manila Bulletin. July 7, 2018. July 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707033828/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/21/duterte-vows-to-strive-to-be-a-man-for-others-as-taught-by-jesuits/. dead.
  41. News: Legaspi . Amita O. . September 21, 2014 . Where was Bongbong Marcos when martial law was declared in 1972? . GMA News and Public Affairs . September 2, 2018.
  42. News: February 24, 2015 . Bongbong Marcos: Oxford, Wharton educational record 'accurate' . Rappler . July 9, 2022.
  43. Web site: A Brief Profile of the College of Law. Adamson University. July 7, 2018. mdy-all.
  44. Web site: Biography. The Official Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Website. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. June 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622040807/http://www.gloriamarroyo.ph/bio.html. dead.
  45. Web site: History of LPU. Lyceum of the Philippines University. July 7, 2018. mdy-all. March 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306113306/https://manila.lpu.edu.ph/index.php/history-of-lpu. dead.
  46. Web site: Dr. Jose Paciano Laurel. Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation. July 7, 2018. mdy-all.
  47. Web site: History — National Teachers College. National Teachers College. July 7, 2022. mdy-all.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of presidents of the Philippines by education".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.