# Benigno Aquino III

> president of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016

**Wikidata**: [Q1464](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1464)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benigno_Aquino_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benigno-aquino-iii

## Summary
Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was a Filipino politician and economist who served as the 15th President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. A member of the prominent Aquino political family, he is best known for leading the country during a period of significant economic growth and for his commitment to democratic governance and anti-corruption reforms.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 8, 1960
- **Nationality**: Philippines
- **Education**: Ateneo de Manila University (Jesuit university in Quezon City)
- **Known for**: Serving as President of the Philippines (2010–2016) and leading the country as a presidential republic head of state
- **Employer(s)**: Government of the Philippines (President), Ateneo de Manila University (Alumni affiliation)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Economics

## Contributions
Benigno Aquino III's primary contribution was his leadership as the 15th President of the Philippines, where he oversaw the nation's governance as a presidential republic. During his tenure, he focused on economic stability, evidenced by the country's nominal GDP exceeding $404 billion by 2022, and maintained the Philippines' status as a major emerging market. He strengthened the country's international standing by reinforcing its role as a founding member of ASEAN and maintaining active participation in global frameworks like the WTO and APEC. His administration upheld the democratic institutions of the Third Republic, established on July 4, 1946, and continued the legacy of the Aquino family in Philippine politics.

## FAQs
**What was Benigno Aquino III's primary role in Philippine history?**
He served as the 15th President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016, acting as both the head of state and head of government. His presidency is noted for maintaining the country's trajectory as a sovereign presidential republic with a focus on economic development.

**Where did Benigno Aquino III receive his education?**
He was educated at Ateneo de Manila University, a Jesuit university located in Quezon City, Philippines. This institution is one of the country's most prominent educational centers.

**What international recognition did Benigno Aquino III receive?**
He was awarded several high honors, including the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum from Japan, the Star of the Republic of Indonesia, the Order pro Merito Melitensi, and the Order of Lakandula from the Philippines.

**How is Benigno Aquino III identified in official records?**
He is officially recorded under the name Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, with common aliases including "Noynoy Aquino," "PNoy," and "Benigno S. Aquino III." His unique identifiers include Wikidata ID Q1464 and various library catalog numbers such as LCCN n2011047840.

## Why They Matter
Benigno Aquino III's significance lies in his stewardship of the Philippines during a critical era of modernization and economic expansion. His leadership helped solidify the Philippines' position as a key geopolitical actor in Southeast Asia, bridging mainland Asia and the Pacific. By upholding the democratic structures of the Third Republic and fostering international alliances, he ensured the country remained a stable emerging market with a high human development index. His tenure reinforced the legacy of the Aquino family, which has been instrumental in shaping the nation's transition from colonial rule to a sovereign republic. Without his leadership, the continuity of the Philippines' specific economic and diplomatic trajectory during the 2010–2016 period might have differed significantly.

## Notable For
- **Presidency**: Serving as the 15th President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016.
- **Political Legacy**: Continuing the political legacy of his parents, Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr.
- **Awards**: Receiving the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan) and the Star of the Republic of Indonesia.
- **Economic Stewardship**: Leading a period where the Philippines' nominal GDP exceeded $404 billion.
- **Aliases**: Widely known by the nicknames "Noynoy," "PNoy," and "P-Noy."
- **Education**: Being an alumnus of the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University.
- **International Relations**: Strengthening ties with the US, China, Japan, and ASEAN nations during his term.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, commonly known as Benigno Aquino III, was born on February 8, 1960. He is a citizen of the Philippines, an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. His educational background includes studies at Ateneo de Manila University, a Jesuit institution located in Quezon City. This educational foundation prepared him for a career in public service and politics.

### Political Career and Presidency
Aquino III served as the President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. As the head of state and head of government in a presidential republic, he led the executive branch of the Philippine government. His presidency occurred within the framework of the Third Republic of the Philippines, which was inaugurated on July 4, 1946, following the country's independence from the United States. During his term, he worked to maintain the stability of the nation, which is governed by the 1987 Constitution.

### Economic and Social Impact
Under his leadership, the Philippines continued to develop as a major emerging market. By 2022, the country's nominal GDP was recorded at over $404 billion. The administration focused on economic policies that contributed to a decline in poverty incidence, which dropped from 33.7% in 2000 to 13.2% in 2021. The unemployment rate was recorded at 7.1% as of 2014. The country's population grew to approximately 112.7 million by 2024, with a literacy rate of 96.3%.

### International Relations and Recognition
Aquino III's tenure saw the Philippines maintain extensive diplomatic relations with global powers including the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea. The country remained a founding member of the United Nations and ASEAN, and participated in organizations such as the WTO, APEC, and the World Health Organization. His international contributions were recognized with several prestigious awards:
- **Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum**: A civilian award from Japan.
- **Star of the Republic of Indonesia**: The highest award of honor from Indonesia.
- **Order pro Merito Melitensi**: An international award.
- **Order of Lakandula**: A national award of the Philippines, established in 2003.

### Personal Identifiers and Legacy
Benigno Aquino III passed away on June 24, 2021. He is identified in various international databases with specific codes, including Wikidata ID Q1464, ISNI 0000000122566927, and VIAF 124656806. His official website was hosted at http://www.president.gov.ph. He is remembered by aliases such as "Noynoy Aquino," "PNoy," and "Benigno S. Aquino III." His legacy is tied to the broader history of the Philippines, a nation that evolved from the Captaincy General of the Philippines (1565) through the Insular Government (1901) and the Commonwealth (1935) to its current sovereign status.

### Governance and Administration
As President, Aquino III operated within a system where the legislative body is the Congress of the Philippines and the highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court. The government structure includes independent constitutional bodies like the Civil Service Commission. The country's administrative divisions include regions such as Metro Manila, Ilocos, and Mindanao, with Manila serving as the capital since 1976. The national motto, *Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa*, reflects the values upheld during his administration.

### Technical and Statistical Data
The Philippines, under Aquino's leadership, utilized the Philippine peso (PHP) as its currency, managed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The country operates on Philippine Standard Time (UTC+08:00) and uses the calling code +63. Its ISO codes are PH (Alpha-2) and PHL (Alpha-3). The nation's geography is defined by its location at 12° N, 123° E, bounded by the Philippine Sea and the West Philippine Sea, with Mount Apo as its highest point. The emergency number 911 was implemented in 2016, during the transition period following his term.

## References

1. [Noynoy Aquino, 15th Philippine president, dead at 61. The Philippine Star. 2021](https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/24/2107787/noynoy-aquino-15th-philippine-president-dead-61)
2. [Source](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/793028/ex-president-noynoy-aquino-laid-to-rest-at-manila-memorial-park/story/)
3. [President Aquino meets with the local leaders and community in Parañaque. Official Gazette. 2016](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/05/06/pnoy-meets-local-leaders-and-community-in-paranaque/)
4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
6. Roglo
7. Munzinger Personen
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Davos 2013 Participant List
10. [Source](https://www.apec2013ceosummit.com/speaker.html)