Contemporary history
Further information: History of the Philippines (1986–present)
The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
The return of democracy and government reforms beginning in 1986 were hampered by national debt, government corruption, coup attempts, disasters, a persistent communist insurgency,[78] and a military conflict with Moro separatists.[79] Corazon Aquino's administration ended with the eruption of Mount Pinatubo,[80][81] leading to the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Subic Bay and Clark Air Base. The economy improved during the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, who was elected president in 1992. However, political and economic improvements, such as a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front,[82] were negated by the onset of the East Asian financial crisis in 1997.[83][84]
In 2001, amid an ongoing conflict with the Abu Sayyaf,[85] charges of corruption, and a stalled impeachment process, Ramos' successor Joseph Estrada was ousted by the 2001 EDSA Revolution and replaced by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.[86] Her 9-year administration was tied with graft and political scandals, though the economy experienced stable growth and managed to avoid the Great Recession.[87][88][89][90] On November 23, 2009, the Maguindanao massacre led to the murder of 34 journalists.[91][92] In 2010, Benigno Aquino III was elected president. During his term, the Bangsamoro peace deal was signed while territorial disputes in North Borneo and the South China Sea escalated.[93][94][95][96] Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck in 2013.[97]