First Ladies and Gentlemen of the Philippines

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First Lady of the Philippines or First Gentleman of the Philippines is the unofficial title of the hostess/host of the Malacañang Palace, the nation's residence of its head of state. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the President of the Philippines, the title is sometimes taken to apply only to the spouse of a sitting president.

[edit] Role of the First Spouse

The first spouse is not an elected position, carries no official duties, and brings no salary. Nonetheless, she attends many official ceremonies and functions of state either along with or in place of the president. The first lady also frequently participates in humanitarian and charitable work. Furthermore, many have taken an active role in campaigning for the president with whom they are associated. Imelda Marcos was given a formal job as Governor of Metro Manila and as Minister of Human Settlements during the term of her husband Ferdinand Marcos during their 21-year stay in the palace. She is also the first First Lady to enter the world of Philippine politics by winning a seat in the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1978, and also in 2001, Luisa Estrada became the first First Lady to win a seat in the Senate.

The wife or husband of the Vice President of the Philippines is sometimes referred to as the Second Lady of the Philippines, however this title is less common than First Lady.

The husband of a female president is known as the "First Gentleman".

[edit] The First Spouses of the Philippines

# First Lady/Gentleman Relation to President Start End
1 Hilaria del Rosario Aguinaldo first wife of Emilio Aguinaldo January 23, 1899 April 1, 1901
2 Aurora Aragon Quezon wife of Manuel L. Quezon November 15, 1935 August 1, 1944
3 Pacencia Hidalgo Laurel wife of Jose P. Laurel October 14, 1943 August 14, 1945
4 Esperanza Limjap Osmeña wife of Sergio Osmeña August 1, 1944 May 28, 1946
5 Trinidad de Leon Roxas wife of Manuel Roxas May 28, 1946 April 15, 1948
6 Victoria Syquia Quirino daughter of widower Elpidio Quirino April 17, 1948 December 30, 1953
7 Luz Banzon Magsaysay wife of Ramon Magsaysay December 30, 1953 March 17, 1957
8 Leonila Dimataga Garcia wife of Carlos P. Garcia March 23, 1957 December 30, 1961
9 Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal wife of Diosdado Macapagal December 30, 1961 December 30, 1965
10 Imelda Romualdez Marcos wife of Ferdinand Marcos December 30, 1965 February 25, 1986
11 Amelita Martinez Ramos wife of Fidel V. Ramos June 30, 1992 June 30, 1998
12 Luisa Pimentel Ejercito Estrada wife of Joseph Estrada June 30, 1998 January 20, 2001
13 Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo husband of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo January 20, 2001 incumbent

[edit] Notes

  • Pacencia Laurel served as First Lady under the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic (1943-1945).
  • Victoria Quirino (later Delgado) served as hostess and consort to her father, Elpidio Quirino who was a widower at the time of his presidency (1948-1953).
  • Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino was assassinated in 1983 even before his wife served as president.
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