CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 2.36 percent over the five-year period. This rate remains one of the highest in the Asian region. Women comprised 49.6 percent of the population in both years (NSO 1995, 2000). 47. The country has a highly diverse population, including some 111 linguistic, cultural, and ethnic groups. Many of these groups are found in Mindanao, including the Manobo, Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, Samal, Subanon, Bila-an, and Bagobo. Together with migrants from Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao residents totaled 16.2 million in 1995, or 23.6 percent of the national population (NSO 1995). In 2000, they numbered about 18.1 million, or 23.7 of the total population (NSO 2000). The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism, the reported religion of more than 80 percent of the population. Protestants and Muslims make up 5 percent each. It must be noted, however, that there are differences among Christians and among Muslims, as between Christians and Muslims. Politics 48. Between 1996 and mid-2003, the Philippines had three presidents: Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998), Joseph Estrada (1998-2000), and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001-2004). To respond to the needs of the poor, which constituted between 31 and 34 percent of the population, the three presidents launched anti-poverty programs. 49. A relatively peaceful election was held in 1998, which paved the way for a smooth transition of power. President Estrada was set to govern until 2004. Less than three years into his term, however, his administration was rocked by a scandal that triggered an impeachment trial by the Philippine Congress. The trial did not run its full course because of the public’s growing distrust of the proceedings. A massive protest that culminated in a peaceful five-day “People Power II Revolution” (more commonly known as EDSA-II)1 eventually pressured President Estrada to vacate the presidency. Vice President-elect Arroyo was sworn to office in 2001, marking the second time for the Philippines to have a woman president. 50. President Arroyo overhauled the cabinet. Compared to her predecessors, she appointed more women to key departments (budget, labor and employment, social welfare and science and technology) and other government agencies (Civil Service Commission, the Social Security System, the Presidential Commission on Good Government, and the National Anti-Poverty Commission). 51. The present administration’s anti-poverty agenda has five major strategies: (1) asset reform; (2) delivery of human development services; (3) creation of employment and livelihood opportunities; (4) basic sector’s participation in governance; and (5) social protection and security against violence. Peace and order condition 52. The armed conflict in the Philippines, which has historical and structural roots, consists of sporadic battles between government forces and the Islamic separatist groups in the South and first was in 1986, as cited in the 2nd periodic report of the Philippines to UN CEDAW. Like the first, the second People Power Revolution is known as EDSA II, after the long highway, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), where huge numbers of people converged during the “revolution.” 1The 26