 ANALYTICS MENTIONS

Philippine Presidents, Administration,

Economy, Program, National Issues and
Transnational Issues
UPLOADED BY
Nikkie Evalla
 

Fifth President of the Philippines

Era Third and last President of the Commonwealth
First President of the Third Republic
Constitution Amended 1935 Constitution
Predecessor Sergio Osmeña
Successor Elpidio Quirino
May 28, 1946, Legislative Building, Manila
(aged 54)
Inauguration
July 4, 1946, Independence Grandstand,
Manila (aged 54)
Capital Manila
Vice-President Elpidio Quirino (May 28, 1946-April 17, 1948)
Manuel V. Moran (July 9, 1945-March 20,
Chief Justice
Manuel Roxas 1951)
First term: May 28, 1946 –  July 4, 1946 Jose Avelino (May 25, 1946-July 4, 1946; July 5,
Senate President
Second term: July 4, 1946 –  April 15, 1948   1946-February 21, 1949)
Eugenio Perez (May 25, 1946-July 4, 1946;
Speaker of the House
July 5, 1946-December 30, 1949)

Manuel Acuña Roxas (January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was the fifth President of the Philippines,
the last of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the first of the sovereign Third Philippine Republic.
He ruled as President from the Philippines' independence from the United States of America on 4 July
1946 until his abrupt death in 1948.

I. Politics (Administration)

Prior to the Philippine national elections of 1946, at the height of the last Commonwealth
elections, Roxas became Liberal Party’s candidate for President. The Nacionalistas, on the other hand,
had Osmeña for President. Osmeña refused to campaign, saying that the Filipino people knew his
reputation. On the April 23, 1946, Roxas won 54 percent of the vote, and the Liberal Party won a
majority in the legislature.

 
  

II. Economics

Since the country was severely damaged by the war, the economy was struggling because of low
output growth and high unemployment rates. Production became low because farms and factories were
ruined. Unemployment rates were rising at a fast pace; because businesses were closing, there were no
more jobs available for people. The reconstruction cost of these buildings reached 126 million pesos.
Also, there was an annual lack of budget of about 200 million pesos.

III. Programs (Reforms)

The approval of the Bell Trade Act ( The Philippine Rehabilitation Act and the Philippine Trade
 Act ); the US congress offered 800 million dollars as rehabilitation money in exchange of this. The act

states that U.S. citizens and corporations were granted equal access to the natural resources of the
country. Treaty of General Relations recognizing Philippine independence as of July 4, 1946 includes
establishment of US bases and hand over American sovereignty over the Philippines.

Laurel granted a General Amnesty to the guerrillas imprisoned during World War II and to those
arrested for conspiring with Japan.

IV. National Issues

Although Roxas was successful in obtaining rehabilitation funds from America to repair what has
been destroyed in the Philippines, he was still criticized for his approval to the Bell Trade Act. Graft and
corruption did not stop in the government. Scandals such as the surplus war property scandal , school
supplies scandal  and Chinese immigration scandals  appeared during his time.

People were infuriated at Roxas to the point that there were plans of assassinating him.
Fortunately for the former president, he escaped an attempted murder by a Tondo barber, Julio Guillen,
who threw a grenade on the platform at Plaza Miranda after the President addressed the rally of
citizens.

V. Transnational Issues  

World War II paralyzed the whole country; its effect is excessive that $ 800 million is needed for
the recovery of the Philippines. However, the president managed to find a resource for this amount.

One criticism in Roxas’ administration is his friendship with the Americans. He was too close to

them to the point that he allowed US military bases in the country, permitted trade restrictions for
Filipinos, and gave special privileges for US property owners and investors.

Sixth President of the Philippines 

Era
Second President of the Third Republic
Constitution Amended 1935 Constitution
Predecessor Manuel Roxas
Successor Ramon Magsaysay
April 17, 1948, Malacañan Palace, Manila (aged 57)
Inauguration December 30, 1949, Independence Grandstand, Manila
(aged 58)
Capital Manila; Quezon City
Fernando Lopez (December 30, 1949-December 30,
Vice-President:
1953)
Ricardo M. Paras (April 2, 1951-February 17, 1961)
Chief Justice
Manuel V. Moran (July 9, 1945-March 20, 1951)
Mariano Jesús Cuenco (February 21, 1949-December
30, 1951)
Quintin Paredes (March 5, 1952-April 17, 1952)
Elpidio Quirino Camilo Osías (April 17, 1952-April 30, 1952; April 17,
Senate President
First term: April 17, 1948-December 30, 1953-April 30, 1953)
1949 (succeeded)  Eulogio Rodriguez (April 30, 1952-April 17, 1953;
Second term: December 30,1949- November 30, 1953-December 30, 1953)
December 30, 1953 (elected)  
Jose Zulueta (April 30, 1953-November 30, 1953)
Speaker of the
Eugenio Perez (July 5, 1946-December 30, 1953)
House

Elpidio Rivera Quirino (November 16, 1890  – February 29, 1956) was a Filipino politician, and the
sixth President of the Philippines. A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a
representative of Ilocos Sur from 1919 to 1925. After the war, Quirino was elected vice-president

in 1946 election, after the death of the incumbent president Manuel Roxas in 1948, he succeeded the
presidency.  1949 presidential election, he won the president's office under Liberal Party. After his term,
he retired to his new country home in Novaliches, Quezon City, where he died of a heart attack on
February 29, 1956.

I. Politics (Administration) 

Elpidio Quirino's six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general
 economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States. Basic social problems, however,
particularly in the rural areas, remained unsolved, and his administration was tainted by widespread
graft and corruption.

II. Economics

The Philippines in Quirino’s term is still undergoing reconstruction of the damages from the war.

Economy is not in great shape. Unemployment from the previous government is one of the main
problem his administration faces. The country is struggling a high inflation rate  and Quirino’s solution to
this is to increase the wages of the people so that purchasing and producing will be balanced.

III. Programs (Reforms)

He establish PACSA ( President’s Action Committee on Social Amelioration), ACCFA (Agricultural

Credit Cooperatives Financing Administration), Labor Management Advisory Board, and the Rural Banks
of the Philippines to fix the economy of his administration. He also set up the Central Bank and Rural
banking.

His second objective was to restore the faith and confidence of the people in the government
body of the Philippines. To do this, he revived former president Quezon’s “ fireside chats” which updated

the people about the government via live radio broadcast from the Malacanang palace.

He also concluded peace with Japan and granted amnesty to HUKBALAHAP members on June
21, 1948. In his efforts he achieved many of his goals including; industrial ventures heightened, irrigation
improved, and the road system developed.

IV. National Issues

Quirino’s administration was bombarded with controversies. The major controversy surrounding

his governance was his bid for a second term in office in 1949. The elections wherein Quirino won was
believed to be the most corrupt. He was also the first president to undergo an impeachment trial
because he allegedly purchased a very expensive Golden Orinola using government money. Issues
within the government make people despise Quirino.

V. Transnational Issues  

Philippines is not ideal for business in this time, it is evident that Americans were gradually
decreasing their business. This causes unemployment rates to go higher together with other national
problems the country’s economy is weakened. 

Seventh President of the Philippines

Era
Third President of the Third Republic 
Constitution Amended 1935 Constitution
Predecessor Elpidio Quirino
Successor Carlos P. Garcia
December 30, 1953, Independence
Inauguration
Grandstand, Manila (aged 46)
Capital Quezon City
Carlos P. Garcia (December 30, 1953-March
Vice-President
17, 1957)
Ricardo M. Paras (April 2, 1951-February 17,
Chief Justice
1961)
 
Ramon Magsaysay Eulogio Rodriguez (January 25, 1954-
Senate President
December 30, 1953-March 17, 1957   December 30, 1957)
Jose B. Laurel Jr. (January 25, 1954-December
Speaker of the House
30, 1957)

Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay (August 31, 1907  – March 17, 1957) was the seventh President of
the Republic of the Philippines, serving from December 30, 1953 until his death in a 1957 aircraft
disaster.
disaster.

I. Politics (Administration)

Ramon Magsaysay was dubbed as “the guy” because many considered him as the president who

really connected and represented the common man being a president with a sympathetic heart to the
masses. He even opened Malacañang to the public.

II. Economics

Rehabilitation of establishments ruined because of World War is still ongoing but there is a lack
on fund to support this.