#INQFact: Where did past Philippine Presidents live?
EDITOR’S NOTE: In commemoration of President Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration on June 30, 2016, the INQUIRER collates the residences of past Philippine Presidents, beginning from Corazon Aquino. Read the story on President Duterte’s Davao City home here.
ARLEGUI MANSION
President Corazon C. Aquino lived in what came to be known as the Arlegui Mansion but held office at Malacañang’s Premier Guest House.
Cory’s successor, Fidel V. Ramos, also lived in Arlegui but held office in the Palace. The Arlegui mansion, owned by the Laperal family, was restored by National Artist Leandro Locsin in 1971. Its original owner, Tarcila Laperal-Mendoza, was evict- ed from her own home on orders of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the height of martial law.
In October 2007, the Supreme Court’s First Division, in a unanimous decision, ordered the government to return the property to Mendoza. The court also declared that once the ruling became final, the government should pay Mendoza a monthly rental of P20,000 starting July 1975 plus annual interest until the property was returned to its rightful owners. The ruling became final on Dec. 16, 2008.
In July 2010, ABS-CBN News reported that the Arlegui mansion was finally returned to its owners.
PHOTO FROM THE BOOK “MALACAÑAN PALACE: THE OFFICIAL ILLUSTRATED HISTORY”
THE PREMIER GUESTHOUSE
The Premier Guest House at the west end of the Palace grounds where President Cory Aquino held office, used to be the servants’ quarters until it was remodeled in 1975 in time for the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Boards of Governors meeting.
Before he was ousted, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada remodeled the Premier Guest House, turning it into an office cum residence.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo renamed the Premier Guest House Bonifacio Hall in 2003.
BAHAY PANGARAP
In 2010, President Aquino chose the prewar Bahay Pangarap (House of Dream) across the Pasig River from Malacañang as his residence.
Located near the presidential golf course, Bahay Pangarap is described as having a “resort ambience,” complete with a swimming pool and a Balinese-style garden. It was renovated to add three more bedrooms to the existing master bedroom.
In the past, Bahay Pangarap served as a venue for formal dinners and other social functions.
Aquino held office in Bonifacio Hall, the former Premier Guest House.
For more stories, photos and videos on President Rodrigo Duterte’s term as the country’s 16th President, visit The Duterte Administration special website at https://www.inquirer.net/duterte. View the full Duterte inaugural commemorative issue in today’s Inquirer Libre at https://inq.ph/inquirerepaper.
