Fidel Valdez Ramos

At Present: Private Citizen; Chairman, Ramos Peace and Development (RPDEV) Foundation; Chairman, Council Of Advisors, Boao Forum for Asia (BFA); former Chairman, BFA (2002 - 2010) Co-Chairman, Emerging Markets Forum (EMF); Lifetime Honorary President, Centrist Democrats International (CDI); Eminent Person, Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI); Member, Advisory Group, UN University for Peace; Honorary Director, General Douglas MacArthur Foundation; Senior Advisor, International Association of University Presidents (IAUP); Founding Member, Policy Advisory Commission, World Intellectual Property Organization (PAC-WIPO); Member, Global Leadership Forum; Member, Club of Madrid; Global Advisor, University of Winnipeg; Honorary Chairman, Yuchengco Center for East Asia, De La Salle University; Eminent Person, The Forum for Family Planning and Development; Chairman Emeritus, Maritime League; Honorary President, Human Development Network (HDN) Philippines; Chairman Emeritus, Federation of Golf Clubs Phils., Inc.; Patron, Asia Tour (Golf); Chairman Emeritus, Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) Party

FIDEL V. RAMOS, THE 12TH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, is remembered for his ability to lead and his willingness to be led — not by astute advisors and political strategists, but by the people whom he served, and served well. Steadfastly and faithfully, he promoted the principles of people empowerment and a culture of excellence that both led to global competitiveness during his term as President from 30 June 1992 to 30 June 1998. He is appreciated as the leader who quickly led the nation out of darkness, putting an end to the power crisis that crippled our homes and industries.

He exemplified the leader who always looked toward the strategic future and whose thumbs-up optimism — captured in descriptive phrases like “Caring, Sharing and Daring,” “Philippines 2000” and “Pole-vaulting” — propelled the economy, alleviated poverty, implemented social reforms, and cleaned up Manila’s vast garbage dump called “Smokey Mountain”. He is remembered for his positive energy that seemed to burst from his cool and at times steely demeanor. He pursued, focused and converged programs to fight poverty in accordance with the will of the Filipino people expressed by 229 structural/reform laws enacted by Congress from 1992 to 1998.

During the years 1993-1997, the Philippine economy recovered dramatically and a comprehensive Social Reform Agenda (SRA) was implemented that addressed long-standing problems regarding poverty, health, education and skills training; housing, environmental sustainability; women, children and the youth, the elderly and the handicapped; jobs and livelihood; agrarian reform and agriculture; access to equal opportunity. Gross National Product averaged 5 percent annually. The total inflow of foreign exchange into the country outpaced forex inflows of the combined periods of rule of both Presidents Marcos and Cory Aquino. Per capita income of the Filipino family grew more during his administration than in the preceding two decades. He pushed for the deregulation of key industries and the liberalization of the economy. He encouraged the privatization of public entities, to include the modernization of public infrastructure through the expanded Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law.

While communist insurgency dwindled to historic lows, he achieved a peace agreement with military rebels (RAM, ALTAS, YOU) in October 1995 and the MNLF southern secessionists in September 1996 which won for him (together with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari) and the Philippines the coveted 1997 UNESCO Peace Prize — the first for Asians.

His public service spanned a total period of 51 years. He also served as Secretary of National Defense (1988-1991) and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (1986-1988) with the rank of General (4 Stars). His military/law enforcement service of more than 40 years was capped by the peaceful, non-violent People Power Revolution at EDSA in February 1986 which threw out a dictatorial regime.

In retirement, he seems to be always on the go throughout the Philippines, energizing the citizenry and pushing the “best practices” of Unity of Purpose, Solidarity in Values and Teamwork in Nation-building at every opportunity. Ever the international diplomat and Philippine cheerleader, he personally interacts with many leaders in various strategic and intellectual fora around the world.

Work Experience

30 June 1992-30 June 1998: President, Republic of the Philippines

1988 — 1991: Secretary of National Defense, and concurrently Chairman, National Disaster Coordinating Council

1986 — 1988: Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

Feb 1986: Military Leader of the Peaceful People Power Revolution at EDSA

1981 — 1986: Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Acting Chief of Staff, AFP, Oct 84 to Dec 85

1975 — 1986: Director-General, Integrated National Police (concurrent)

1972 — 1986: Chief, Philippine Constabulary

1971 — 1972: Deputy Chief of Staff for Home Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines

1970 — 1971: Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Brigade (Separate), Philippine Army

1969 — 1970: J2/Chief Intelligence Service, AFP (concurrent)

1968 — 1969: Presidential Assistant on Military Affairs

1966 — 1968: Chief of Staff, 1st Philippine Civic Action Group to Vietnam

1962 — 1965: Group Commander, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Philippine Army (Master Parachutist)

1952 — 1962: Various Command and Staff Duties as Junior Officer

1952: 1st Lieutenant, Infantry Reconaissance Platoon Leader, 20th Battalion Combat Team, Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK)

1951 — 1952: 2nd Lt., Infantry Platoon Leader, 2nd Battalion Combat Team, Philippine Army, Counter-Insurgency Campaign

Personal Data

Name: Fidel Valdez Ramos. Address: 128 Banaba St., Ayala Alabang Vill., Muntinlupa City, Phils. Date of Birth: 18 March 1928. Place of Birth: Lingayen, Pangasinan. Civil Status: Married. Name of Spouse: Amelita Jara Martinez (teacher and environmentalist). Children: Five daughters - Angelita, Josephine, Carolina, Cristina, Gloria.

Father: Narciso Ramos (Lawyer, public servant, 5-term Congressman, Ambassador, Secretary of Foreign Affairs). Mother: Angela Valdez (Public school teacher, university professor and civic leader).

Education

Graduate School: Master of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, USA, Graduated 1951. Passed the Civil Engineering Board (within top 8) 1953. Master of National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines, Graduated 1969. Master of Business Administration, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, Graduated 1980. Honorary Doctorate Degrees – 32.

College: United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA, Graduated 1950. (Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society)

High School: University of the Philippines High School, Manila, 1940-1941; Mapua Institute of Technology High School, Manila, 1942-1944; Centro Escolar de Señoritas Boys’ High School, Manila, 1945.

Elementary: Lingayen, Pangasinan Public Schools

Hobbies and Interests

Physical fitness, body-building, swimming, scuba diving, sky diving, golf, chess, badminton, motorcycling, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Broadway, Three-Galloner Blood Donor, Philippine Red Cross, Author – 31 books