Macapagal, Diosdado (1911–1997)

Filipino centrist politician, president 1962–65. Representing the centrist Liberal Party, he launched a fight against poverty, unemployment, and corruption, but was constrained because the Liberals lacked an assembly majority. He was defeated in the 1965 presidential election by Ferdinand Marcos. From the late 1970s, as the Marcos regime became increasingly dictatorial, Macapagal developed the National Union for Liberation as an anti-Marcos opposition force.

He worked as a lawyer and diplomat, before being elected to serve in the Philippines' house of representatives 1949–56. He represented the Liberal Party and, in 1951, led the Philippines' delegation to the United Nations. A charismatic orator, Macapagal was elected vice president in 1957, serving under Carlos Garcia, who was a political opponent. In 1961, Macapagal defeated Garcia to become president.

His daughter, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was elected Philippines' vice president in May 1998, and became president in February 2001, after Joseph Estrada was ousted by popular opposition.