Prime Minister of the Philippines

The Prime Minister of the Philippines (Spanish: Primer Ministro de Filipinas; Tagalog: Punong Ministro ng Pilipinas) was the official position of the head of the government of the Philippines. The position existed in the country from 1978 to 1986, as well as a limited version of such existed temporarily in 1899.

In 1899, the position of President of the Council of Government (Presidente del Consejos de Gobierno) existed which today would be equivalent to a Prime Minister or Premier. This position existed and served under then President of the Republic Emilio Aguinaldo. This position had considerable executive power based on Title 9 of the 1899 constitution. It was both "head of cabinet" and "head of government". This republic however was not recognized by the United States, which later received the Philippines from Spain.

In 1978, the position returned when Ferdinand Marcos became Prime Minister. Based on Article 9 of the 1973 constitution, it had broad executive powers, that would be typical of modern prime ministers in other countries. The position was the official head of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. All of the powers of the President based on the previous 1935 constitution were transferred to the Prime Minister. Marcos was replaced by Cesar Virata in 1981.

In 1986, Corazon Aquino became President, and she appointed Salvador Laurel to succeed Virata. However, the position was later abolished through her Proclamation No. 3 in March 1986. The subsequent and current 1987 constitution had no provisions for such a position. A constitutional amendment or a charter change that some government officials are suggesting might return the position to the list of cabinet members, as well as a return to a parliamentary form of government.

Today, the head of the government is the President of the Philippines, who also serves as head of state.