The best and the worst Philippine vice presidents

First of all, while official historical records listed Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. from Cebu as the first vice president, the official records of earlier history recognized Mariano Trias as the first vice president, who was duly elected allegedly along with president Emilio Aguinaldo that highly controversial Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897.

Well, that election was tainted with a "Hello Garci" election anomaly, courtesy of the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan, against the Magdiwang of Gat Andres Bonifacio. It was an election where the virtual Comelec was the Magdalo, the ballots were prepared by the Magdalo and the election proceedings were also controlled by the Magdalo of Cavite. The Magdiwang from Tondo were outsmarted, outplanked and outwitted by the Magdalaos. But this is another story.

Official historical records state that the Office of the Vice President was created "de jure: only under the 1935 Philippine Commonwealth Constitution. Our own Don Sergio Osmeña, who was earlier elected governor of Cebu, member of the House and senator, ran for vice president under Manuel L Quezon in the first ever national elections under the Commonwealth government. Osmeña served for two terms or for eight years from November 13, 1935 up to August 1, 1944 when Quezon died and he took over the presidency.

The second vice president was Elpidio Quirino, from Ilocos Sur, who served one term from May 28, 1946 to April 17, 1948 when president Manuel Roxas died while in office and he took over the presidency. The third was Fernando Lopez, from Iloilo, who served for four years from December 30, 1949 to December 30, 1953. Carlos P Garcia, from Bohol, was elected the fourth vice president from December 30, 1953 to March 18, 1957 when he took over the presidency after the death of president Ramon Magsaysay.

Diosdado Macapagal, from Pampanga served as fifth vice president from December 30,1957 to December 30, 1961. He was followed by Emmanuel Pelaez from Misamis Oriental, who served as the sixth vice president from December 30, 1961 to December 30, 1965. The seventh was Fernando Lopez again, who won twice and served from December 30, 1965 to January 17, 1973, for a total tenure of seven years and 18 days. The position was abolished by the Martial Law dictator from January 17, 1973 to January 27, 1984. The position was reinstated but was left vacant up to February 25, 1986.

Subsequent to the EDSA revolution and after the 1987 Constitution was adopted, the following were elected vice presidents: the 8th vice president, Salvador Laurel who served for six years and 126 days from February 25, 1996 to June 30, 1992. The 9th was Joseph Estrada who completed his 6-year term from June 30, 1992 to June 30, 1998.The 10th VP was GMA who served only for two years and 204 days because she took over the presidency after the EDSA II Revolution, after the failed impeachment proceedings against Estrada.

The 11th vice president was Teopisto Guingona Jr. who served for three years and 141 days. Noli de Castro was the 12th serving his six-year term as VP from June 30, 2004 to June 30, 2010, The 13th was Jejomar Binay who also served his full term of six years from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016. He was followed by Leni Robredo, who served from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2022. Sara Duterte is the 15th and the incumbent who assumed office on June 30, 2022 and may be impeached and removed prior to the end of her term on June 30, 2028.

My own list of seven best vice presidents, based on competence, integrity, performance and impact on the people, includes Sergio Osmeña Emmanuel Pelaez, Diosdado Macapagal, Carlos P Garcia, Leni Robredo and Teopisto Guingona, tying with Salvador Laurel. My list of worst vice presidents includes GMA, Jejomar Binay, Elpidio Quirino, Noli de Castro, Joseph Estrada, and Sara Duterte. I know that many of you won't agree with me. But this is my own. You have the perfect right to choose your best and worst.

The following vice presidents later became presidents: Osmeña. Quirino, Macapagal, Garcia, GMA and Estrada. Vice presidents who could have been very good presidents were Emmanuel Pelaez, Salvador Laurel and Leni Robredo. I am happy that vice president Binay did not win as president and happier that Noli de Castro never aspired to become president. Sara Duterte may become president, but she may be perpetually disqualified if and when the impeachment case is decided against her. Only heaven knows the rest of history.