MANUEL ROXAS

Political career

 Roxas occupied more important positions in the Philippine government than any other
Filipino had ever held before him
 Starting in 1917 he was a member of the municipal council of Capiz. He became the
youngest governor of his province and served in this capacity from 1919 to 1922.
 He was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives in 1922, and for twelve
consecutive years was Speaker of the House.
 He was member of the Constitutional Convention 1934 to 1935, Secretary of Finance,
Chairman of the National Economic Council, Chairman of the National Development
Company and many other government corporations and agencies, Brigadier General in
the USAFFE, Recognized Guerilla leader and Military leader of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army.

Presidential election of 1946

 On April 23, 1946, Roxas won 54 percent of the vote, and the Liberal Party won a
majority in the legislature against The Nacionalistas, who had Osmeña for President and
Senator Eulogio Rodriguez for Vice-President
 President Manuel Roxas was inaugurated as the 5th President of the Philippines and
the first president of the Third Republic on July 4, 1946 at the Independence
Grandstand (now Quirino Grandstand), Manila.

PRESIDENCY

 Reputed to be the most bombed and destroyed country in the world, the Philippines
was in a sorry mess. The war casualties as such could very well reach the two million
mark. Conservative estimates had it that the Philippines had lost about two thirds of
her material wealth.
  The country was facing near bankruptcy. There was no national economy, no export
trade. Again, loans from the United States, as well as some increase in the national
revenues, were to help the new Republic
 Tydings–McDuffie Act, of Philippine Rehabilitation Act, and the Bell Trade
Act or Philippine Trade Act

On June 21, he reappeared in front of another joint session of the Congress and
urged the acceptance of two laws passed by the Congress of the United States on April 30,
1946—the Tydings–McDuffie Act, of Philippine Rehabilitation Act, and the Bell Trade Act or
Philippine Trade Act. Both recommendations were accepted by the Congress (United States
Congress led by Maryland Senator Millard Tydings (author of the Tydings–McDuffie Act) and
Missouri Representative C. Jasper Bell (author of the Bell Trade Act); and former Civil
Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison.)

Reconstruction after the war

The postwar Philippines had burned cities and towns, ruined farms and factories,
blasted roads and bridges, shattered industries and commerce, and thousands of massacred
victims. The new Republic began to function on an annual deficit of over Php 200,000,000 with
little prospect of a balanced budget for some years to come.

 Manila and other cities then were infested with criminal gangs which used techniques of
American gangsters in some activities–bank holdups, kidnapping and burglaries.
 In rural regions, especially the provinces of Central Luzon and the Southern Tagalog
regions, the Hukbalahaps and brigands terrorized towns and barrios.

Reforms

 Rice Share Tenancy Act of 1933

In 1946, shortly after his induction to Presidency, Manuel Roxas proclaimed the Rice
Share Tenancy Act of 1933 effective throughout the country.
 However problems of land tenure continued. Among the remedial measures
enacted was Republic Act No. 1946 likewise known as the Tenant Act which provided for a
70–30 sharing arrangements and regulated share-tenancy contracts. It was passed to
resolve the ongoing peasant unrest in Central Luzon.

 Establishment of Rehabilitation Finance Corporation and creation of the

Central Bank of the Philippines

Among the main remedies proposed was the establishment of the Philippine
Rehabilitation Finance Corporation. This entity would be responsible for the construction
of twelve thousand houses and for the grant of easy-term loans in the amount of
177,000,000 pesos.

Another proposal was the creation of the Central Bank of the Philippines to help
stabilize the Philippine dollar reserves and coordinate and the nations banking activities
gearing them to the economic progress.

 Treaty of General Relations

On August 5, 1946, the Congress of the Philippines ratified the Treaty of General
Relations that had been entered into by and between the Republic of the Philippines and
the United States on July 4, 1946. Aside from withdrawing her sovereignty from the
Philippines and recognizing her independence, the Treaty reserved for the United States
some bases for the mutual protection of both countries; consented that the United States
represent the Philippines in countries where the latter had not yet established diplomatic
representation; made the Philippines assume all debts and obligations of the former
government in the Philippines; and provided for the settlement of property rights of the
citizens of both countries.

 Parity Rights Amendment

 On March 11, 1947, Philippine voters, agreeing with Roxas, ratified in a nationwide
plebiscite the "parity amendment" to the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines, granting
United States citizens the right to dispose of and utilize Philippine natural resources, or
parity rights.

Amnesty Proclamation

 President Roxas, on January 28, 1948, granted full amnesty to all so-called Philippine
collaborators, many of whom were on trial or awaiting to be tried, particularly former
President José P. Laurel (1943–1945).[7] The Amnesty Proclamation did not apply to
those "collaborators", who were charged with the commission of common crimes, such
as murder, rape, and arson.

Huks outlawed

 Disgusted with the crimes being committed by Hukbó ng Bayan Laban sa Hapón
(Nation's Army Against the Japanese, also called "the Huks") and possessing evidence of
their subversion, Roxas issued a proclamation outlawing the Huk movement on March
6, 1948. It had become an imperative in view of the resurgence of Huk depredations,
following the unseating of the seven Communists, led by Huk Supremo Luis Taruc
through acts of terrorism.

United States military bases

 Although Roxas was successful in getting rehabilitation funds from the United States
after independence, he was forced to concede military bases (23 of which were leased
for 99 years), trade restriction for the Philippine citizens, and special privileges for U.S.
property owner and investor.

Turtle and Mangsee Islands

  On 19 September 1946 the Republic of the Philippines notified the United Kingdom that
it wished to take over the administration of the Turtle Islands and the Mangesse Islands.
Pursuant to a supplemental international agreement, the transfer of administration
became effective on 16 October 1947.

Assassination attempt

 The night before the plebiscite, Roxas narrowly escaped assassination by Julio Guillen, a
disgruntled barber from Tondo, Manila, who hurled a grenade at the platform on Plaza
Miranda immediately after Roxas had addressed a rally.

Controversies

 His administration was marred by graft and corruption; moreover, the abuses of the
provincial military police contributed to the rise of the left-wing (Huk) movement in the
countryside. His heavy-handed attempts to crush the Huks led to widespread peasant
disaffection.
 The good record of Roxas administration was marred by two failures: the failure to curb
graft and corruption in the government, as evidenced by the Surplus War Property
scandal, the Chinese immigration scandal and the School supplies scandal; and the
failure to check and stop the communist Hukbalahap movement.
ELPIDIO QUIRINO
A lawyer by profession, Quiríno entered politics when he became a representative of
Ilocos Sur from 1919 to 1925.

After the death of the incumbent president Manuel Roxas in 1948, he succeeded the
presidency. He won the president's office under Liberal Party ticket, defeating Nacionalista vice
president and former president José P. Laurel as well as fellow Liberalista and former Senate
President José Avelino. The Quiríno administration was generally challenged by the
Hukbalahaps, who ransacked towns and barrios.

PRESIDENCY

 Vice-President Elpidio Quirino was inaugurated as the 6th President of the Philippines
on April 17, 1948 at the Council of State Room, Executive Building, Malacañan Palace.
 Quiríno assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, taking his oath of office two days
after the death of Manuel Roxas. His first official act as the President was the
proclamation of a state mourning throughout the country for Roxas' death. New capital
city

REFORMS

 Commonwealth Act No. 502

On July 17, 1948, the Congress approved Republic Act No. 333, amending
Commonwealth Act No. 502, declaring Quezon City the capital of the Philippines in
place of Manila. Nevertheless, pending the official transfer of the government offices
to the new capital site, Manila remained to be such for all effective purposes.
  Social Security Commission & President’s Action Committee on
Amelioration

Itinatag din sa Administrasyong Quirino ang Social Security Commission at ang

President’s Action Committee on Amelioration na nagbibigay ng ayuda at pautang sa mga
mahihirap na Pilipino. Kabilang sa benepisyong hatid ng mga programang ito ang insurance
sa panahon ng pagtanda, aksidente at pagtamo ng permanenteng kapansanan. Dagdag pa
rito ang kasiguruhan ng pagbibigay ng tulong para sa problema sa trabaho, kalusugan ng
mamamayan, lalo na ng mga ina.

 Fireside chats

To bring the government closer to the people, he revived President Quezon's

"fireside chats", in which he enlightened the people on the activities of the Republic by the
periodic radio broadcasts from Malacañan Palace.

HukBaLaHap

The term HukBaLaHap was a contraction of Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (in
English: The Nation's Army Against the Japanese Soldiers), members of which were commonly
referred to as Huks.

 With the expiration of the Amnesty deadline on August 15, 1948, the government found
out that the Huks had not lived up to the terms of the Quiríno-Taruc agreement.
Indeed, after having been seated in Congress and collecting his back pay allowance. Luis
Taruc surreptitiously fled away from Manila, even as a number of his followers had
either submitted themselves to the conditions of the Amnesty proclamation or
surrendered their arms. In the face of countercharges from the Huk to the effect that
the government had not satisfied the agreed conditions, President Quirino ordered a
stepped-up campaign against dissidents, restoring once more an aggressive policy in
view of the failure of the friendly attitude previously adopted.
1949 presidential election

 Incumbent President Elpidio Quirino won a full term as President of the Philippines after
the untimely death of President Manuel Roxas in 1948. The administration party,
Quirino won a satisfactory vote from the public. It was the only time in Philippine history
where the duly elected president, vice president and senators all came from the same
party, the Liberal Party.

HukBaLaHap continued re-insurgence

 Quirino's administration faced a serious threat in the form of the communist

HukBaLaHap movement. Though the Huks originally had been an anti-Japanese guerrilla
army in Luzon, communists steadily gained control over the leadership, and when
Quirino's negotiation with Huk commander Luis Taruc broke down in 1948, Taruc openly
declared himself a Communist and called for the overthrow of the government.
 Peace campaign

With the Communist organization estimated to still have more than 40,000 duly
registered members by March 1951, the government went on with its sustained campaign
to cope with the worsening peace and order problem. The 1951 budget included the use of
a residue fund for the land resettlement program in favor of the surrendered HUKS. The
money helped maintain the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR), with its settlements of
6,500 hectares in Kapatagan (Lanao) and 25,000 hectares in Buldon (Cotabato). In each
group taken to these places there was a nucleus of former Army personnel and their
families, who became a stabilizing factor and ensured the success of the program. Indeed,
less than ten percent of the Huks who settled down gave up this new lease in life offered
them by the government.
  Reorganization of Military

Battalion combat teams of 1,000 men each were established. Each operated
independently of the High Command, except for overall coordination in operational plans. A
total of 26 Battalion Combat Teams were put up. New army units were also established,
such was the first Airborne Unit, the Scout Rangers, the Canine Unit, and the Cavalry Unit.
These units all showed considerable ability.

Controversies

 It was the only time in Philippine history (Election 1949) where the duly elected
president, vice president and senators all came from the same party, the Liberal Party.
The election was widely criticized as being corrupt, with violence and fraud taking
place. Opponents of Quirino were beaten or murdered by his supporters or the police
and the election continues to be seen as corrupt.
 Si Quirino ang kauna-unahang Presidente ng Bansa na sinubukang patalsikin sa pwesto
sa pamamagitan ng impeachment process. Kabilang sa mga akusasyon sa kanya ang
nepotismo at ang hindi paggamit ng kaban ng bayan sa tamang pamamaraan.
 Nabigong lutasin ni Quirino ang problemang agraryo at pantay na antas ng
pamumuhay lalo na sa malalayong pook sa bansa. Naging mitsa ito ng pag-igting muli ng
paghihimagsik ng HUKBALAHAP.
 Sa termino ni Quirino, binuo ang Integrity Board upang bigyan ng tugon ang lumalakas
ng panawagan noon para sa pagsasaayos ng estado ng gobyerno laban sa kurapsyon,
bagay na nabahiran ng mantsa maging si Pangulong Quirino.
RAMON MAGSAYSAY

PRESIDENCY

 Ramon Magsaysay swears in as the 7th President of the Philippines on December 30, 1953
 In the Election of 1953, Magsaysay was decisively elected president over the incumbent Elpidio
Quirino. He was sworn into office wearing the Barong Tagalog, a first by a Philippine president.
He was then called "Mambo Magsaysay".
 During his term, he made Malacañang literally a "house of the people", opening its gates to the
public. One example of his integrity followed a demonstration flight aboard a new plane
belonging to the Philippine Air Force (PAF): President Magsaysay asked what the operating costs
per hour were for that type of aircraft, then wrote a personal check to the PAF, covering the
cost of his flight. He restored the people's trust in the military and in the government.
 Itinuturing ng kasaysayan ang kanyang administrasyon bilang pinakamalinis na pamahalaan
mula sa kurapsyon. Sa katunayan, kinilala ang Pilipinas noon bilang 2nd Cleanest and Well-
Governed Country sa buong Asya.
 Dahil sa kadalisayan ng Administrasyong Magsaysay, tinaguriang “Golden Years of the
Philippines” ang mga taon na kanyang pinamunuan. (Trade and industry flourished, the
Philippine military was at its prime, and the country gained international recognition in sports,
culture, and foreign affairs).

Presidential Complaints and Action Committee

 Bilang ngtupad sa kaniyang pangako noong panahon ng kanyang pangangampanya, binuo ni

Presidente Magsaysay ang Presidential Complaints and Action Committee. Ang ahensyang ito
ang naatasang duminig sa mga hinaing ng taumbayan at bigyan ito ng solusyon sa lalong
madaling panahon.
 Sa kabuuan ng pagganap ng komite sa katungkulan nito, umaabot sa 60,000 kada taon ang
nailalapit na hinaing dito. Sa bilang na yan, mahigit 30,000 ang nabigyan ng agarang kasagutan,
habang ang mahigit 25,000 natitira pa na nangangailan ng espesyal na pagseserbisyo ay
ginagawan naman ng solusyon ng mga ahensya ng gobyernong mas direktang makatutulong na
maresolba ang naturang mga problema.
AGRARIAN REFORMS

President Ramon Magsaysay enacted the following laws as part of his Agrarian Reform Program:

 Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954

Abolished the LASEDECO and established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless farmers. It was particularly aimed at
rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in Palawan and Mindanao.
 Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954)
Governed the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers by organizing share-
tenancy and leasehold system. The law provided the security of tenure of tenants. It also
created the Court of Agrarian Relations.
 Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955)
Created the Land Tenure Administration (LTA) which was responsible for the acquisition
and distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands over 200 hectares for individuals and 600
hectares for corporations.
 Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative Financing Administration)
Provided small farmers and share tenants loans with low interest rates of six to eight
percent. The idea was for this entity to make available rural credits. Records show that it did
grant, in this wise, almost ten million dollars. This administration body next devoted its
attention to cooperative marketing.
Along this line of help to the rural areas, President Magsaysay initiated in all earnestness
the artesian wells campaign. A group-movement known as the Liberty Wells Association was
formed and in record time managed to raise a considerable sum for the construction of as many
artesian wells as possible. The socio-economic value of the same could not be gainsaid and the
people were profuse in their gratitude. Finally, vast irrigation projects, as well as enhancement
of the Ambuklao Power plant and other similar ones, went a long way towards bringing to
reality the rural improvement program advocated by President Magsaysay.

HUKBALAHAP “Operation Thunder-Lightning”

 With the all out anti-dissidence campaigns against the Huks, they numbered less than 2,000 by
1954 and without the protection and support of local supporters, active Huk resistance no
 longer presented a serious threat to Philippine security. From February to mid-September 1954,
the largest anti-Huk operation, "Operation Thunder-Lightning" was conducted that resulted in
the surrender of Luis Taruc on 17 May. Further cleanup operations of the remaining guerillas
lasted throughout 1955, diminishing its number to less than 1,000 by year's end.

SEATO (Manila Pact of 1954)

 The administration of President Magsaysay was active in the fight against the expansion of
communism in the Asian region. He made the Philippines a member of the Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization (SEATO), which was established in Pepe Land on September 8, 1954 during the
"Manila Conference". (Aimed to defeat communist-Marxist movements in South East Asia,
South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific.)
 The active coordination of the Magsaysay administration with the Japanese government led to
the Reparation Agreement. This was an agreement between the two countries, obligating the
Japanese government to pay $550 million as reparation for war damages in the Philippines.

Defense Council

 Taking the advantage of the presence of U.S. Secretary John Foster Dulles in Manila to
attend the SEATO Conference, the Philippine government took steps to broach with him
the establishment of a Joint Defense Council. Vice-President and Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Carlos P. Garcia held the opportune conversations with Secretary Dulles for this
purpose. Agreement was reached thereon and the first meeting of the Joint United
States-Philippines Defense Council was held in Manila following the end of the Manila
Conference. Thus were the terms of the Mutual Defense Pact between the Philippines
and the United States duly implemented.

Laurel-Langley Agreement

 The Magsaysay administration negotiated the Laurel-Langley Agreement which was a

trade agreement between the Philippines and the United States which was signed in
1955 and expired in 1974. Although it proved deficient, the final agreement satisfied
nearly all of the diverse Filipino economic interests. While some have seen the Laurel-
 Langley agreement as a continuation of the 1946 trade act, Jose P. Laurel and other
Philippine leaders recognized that the agreement substantially gave the country greater
freedom to industrialize while continuing to receive privileged access to US markets.[17]
 The agreement replaced the unpopular Bell Trade Act, which tied the economy of the
Philippines to that of United States economy.

Reparation agreement

 Following the reservations made by Ambassador Romulo, on the Philippines behalf,

upon signing the Japanese Peace Treaty in San Francisco on September 8, 1951, for
several years of series of negotiations were conducted by the Philippine government
and that of Japan.
 When the Committee reported that Japan was in a position to pay, Ambassador Felino
Neri, appointed chief negotiator, went to Tokyo. On May 31, 1955, Ambassador Neri
reached a compromise agreement with Japanese Minister Takazaki, the main terms of
which consisted in the following: The Japanese government would pay eight hundred
million dollars as reparations. Payment was to be made in this wise: Twenty million
dollars would be paid in cash in Philippine currency; thirty million dollars, in services;
five million dollars, in capital goods; and two hundred and fifty million dollars, in long-
term industrial loans.
 On August 12, 1955, President Magsaysay informed the Japanese government, through
Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, that the Philippines accepted the Neri-Takazaki
agreement. In view of political developments in Japan, the Japanese Prime Minister
could only inform the Philippine government of the Japanese acceptance of said
agreement on March 15, 1956. The official Reparations agreement between the two
government was finally signed at Malacañang Palace on May 9, 1956, thus bringing to a
rather satisfactory conclusion this long drawn controversy between the two countries.