Jose P.

Laurel and wartime

Philippines
Jose P. Laurel guided the nation thorugh its
crucial test and served as the President of the
“puppet” Republic during the Japanese
occupation
He sustained the spirit of Rizal by NOT
DIRECTING the establishment of wartime
institutions
He was misjudged and misunderstood by his
countrymen and lived an example of Rizaline
Nationalism by uttered inferences conveying
nationalism to his people in his speech at the
Kalibapi anniversary celebration in 1944
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
 Kalibapi anniversary celebration speech:
◦ “People and with them history and posterity, will judge us not
so much by what we say as by what we do. It is not enough
for us to say that we love our country, that for it we will fight
to the bitter end, that we are ready and willing to make all the
sacrifices for its preservation, for the attainment of its liberty
and independence. Not with words but deeds must we show
our determination, our readiness to defend to the last drop of
our blood the honor and integrity of our God-given home and
land as well as our right to be free. Whatever be the name of
the association or organization to which we belong, let us live
both as a nation and as individuals in the way our foremost
hero lived. To his country Rizal devoted and consecrated
everything, life included. As his countrymen and followers,
we can do no less.”
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
Another speech in Metropolitan Theatre
also contained an indirect message of
living up to Rizal’s ideals.
◦ “If we are to have one goal, one national aim;
if we are to be of one blood and of one race,
all of us, men and women should join hands to
establish true freedom in our land that would
last now and forever”
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
Laurel was tried for treason for political
collaboration during the Japanese
occupation and in the 1946 court he told
them:
◦ “there is no law that can condemn me for having
placed the welfare of my people over and above
that of America”
◦ “placed the welfare of my people above all other
considerations when I assumed the Presidency. I
was even prepared to declare war against the
whole world if that was the only way to save my
people”
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
He was granted amnesty even before the
court delivered its verdict and topped the
senatorial race in 1951
He believed that Elias’s ringing words to
Ibarra continue to have timeless validity to a
Filipino aspiring to be a Genuine
Nationalist Leader
◦ “Alone, it is true, if we are nothing, but take up
the cause of the people, unite yourself with the
people, be not heedless of their cries, set an
example to the rest, spread the ideas of what is
called a fatherland!”
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
He shared Rizal’s ideas on the need to cultivate
national virtues in order to have a stronger and
united Philippines: self-discipline,
perseverance, truthfulness and frugality,
humility and industry, and respect for women.
Both him and Rizal believed that women is
where the seeds of patriotism come and from
whom the rudiments of familial discipline
spring to imbue the young generation with
respect for elders and obedience to authority
Jose P. Laurel and wartime
Philippines
The Laurel Republic engaged in foreign
relations despite a war going on and through
the Greater East Asia Conference, Filipino
leaders were made aware of other Asian
leaders and of the Philippines’ neighbors.
Manila was visited by the India government
The Philippines opened an embassy in
Tokyo - first formally established by
Filipinos with Jorge Vargas as the first
Filipino ambassador
Sergio Osmeña, Sr., model
statesman
Sergio Osmeña served as a provincial governor of
Ceby
He was elected senator and Vice-President of the
Commonwealth government
He became the President of the Commonwealth
government at the death of Quezon
The Osmeña administration accomplished so
much in a short time of a most difficult situation
by restoring the Commonwealth government with
its functions: health services, schools, law and
order (manifesting his leadership style, character
and statesmanship)
Sergio Osmeña, Sr., model
statesman
He is a statesman who always placed his
country’s interest above his own personal
desires, he showed himself to be a real
gentleman characterized by self abnegation
in the interest of preserving unity in the
parliamentary struggle for independence
during his power struggle with Quezon.
He was willing to step aside and work beside
Quezon in order to promote the country’s
goal demonstrating his patriotism which is a
vital part of the Osmeña legacy to the
country.
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
To scan the school laws of the Philippines
traces the pattern of Rizal’s influence on
the Philippine educational system
◦ “ All schools shall aim to develop moral
character, personal discipline, civic
conscience, and vocational efficiency, and to
teach the duties of citizenship. The State shall
create scholarship in arts, sciences, and letters,
for specially gifted citizens.” - Constitution
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Moral and civic virtue development – culled
from the very spirits of Rizal’s writings
concerning education. It’s stressed not
primarily on the acquisition of a diploma but
the unleashing of the potential of the
intellectual abilities and moral strength of the
youth.
◦ The Liga Constitution aimed at the development
of education and appropriation of the
organization’s funds to “support a member or his
son who has no means but is studious and
possesses notable aptitude”
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
National Council of Education (National
Commission on Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Matters) formulated in 1925 the
aims of education:
◦ “To make them realize that the fundamental rights
of a man should be preserved at any cost if they
are to attain self-fulfillment; to develop in the
people habits of industry and thrift and to equip
them with the necessary skills and knowledge
which would enable them to earn an honest
livelihood and contribute to the economic well-
being of the country; to promote in our youth, a
way of life which embodies the best of our
cultural heritage, enriched by the valuable …
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
◦ …experiences of other people; to foster
among our people appreciation of the arts,
sciences and letters so that their tastes may be
refined, their lives enriched, and their
sympathies deepened; to cultivate in our
people a sympathetic understanding of other
nations through a study of the contributions
that those nations have made to civilization.”
Educational Act of 1940 was then ensued
which provided for compulsory
attendance at least in the primary course.
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
 1946 independence – educational legislation at a
snail’s pace going through a period of reconstruction
and revival, of refreshing dampened spirits, and of
reexamining and restating educational objectives
 As an aftermath of WWII, concern for ways of peace
was formally enunciated in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights which was adopted in the
Philippine government in 1952.
◦ “Education shall be directed to the full development of the
human personality and to the strengthening of respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote
understanding , tolerance, and friendship among all
nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the
activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of
peace.”
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Rizal projected the patriotism that he fathered
beyond the exclusivist nationalism of his time to
the internationalism of the present.
A consistent advocate of the attainment of the
common ends of the United Nations is same as
Rizal where he envisioned a future of fraternal
harmony. His spokesman , El Filibusterismo’s
Basilio predicte dhte redemption and
enlightenment of mankind:
◦ “When all peoples shall be free, where there is one
rule of justice, when man shall be a citizen of the
world.”
RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Rizal’s blueprint for education has been cited
beyond the country’s laws, way up to the United
Nations in appreciation of Rizal as an
internationalist.
This was bannered by his degrees and other
studies, knowledge of the languages of various
communities he settled with where he
communicated in the local language, and his
position that patriotism should not be parochial
but expansive both regionally and internationally.
The Rizal Law of 1956 substantially ensured this.
CONTEMPORARY PRESIDENTS
Manuel Acuña Roxas
Elpidio Rivera Quirino
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay
Carlos P. Garcia
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal
Ferdinand Edralin Marcos
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino
Fidel Valdez Ramos
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Manuel Acuña Roxas of the Third
Republic
Rizal’s repeated insistence on necessary
preparation of the people for independence
underscored the major policies of the new
Republic that was then trying to recover form the
overwhelming destruction and decadence caused
by the WWII.
One of the concrete steps Roxas took to
rehabilitate the economy was the establishment of
the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation
capitalized at P300M.
War Damage Act of U.S. – compensated the
Philippine government for public buildings
destroyed and private corporations with losses.
Manuel Acuña Roxas of the Third
Republic
◦ Individual claims of less tha $500 were honored
and recognized guerillas were compensated
U.S. left behind war surplus materials
amounting to $2B unfortunately lost to graft
and corruption.
Important economic blueprint: Five year plan
envisioned with the establishment of at least
5 industrial centers all over the country.
Northern Luzon (1), Visayas (2), Mindanao
(2)
◦ However, Roxas DIED before he could
implement this plan
Manuel Acuña Roxas of the Third
Republic
Conscious of the problem of national
security, Roxas administration started special
relations with U.S. which covered the grant
of a number of military and naval bases
notably the Clark Air Base and Subic Bay
Naval Base in exchange for military aid
◦ Belle Trade Act – allowed duty-free Philippine
exports to the U.S. Over a certain period and
parity rights which granted equal rights to
American citizens in the exploitation of
Philippine natural resources.
Manuel Acuña Roxas of the Third
Republic
Philippine Congress dominated by Liberal party
prevented the highly nationalistic congressmen to
be seated so as not to let them prevent the passage
of the Belle Trade Act, among them were Luis
Taruc and Jesus Lava who went underground and
started a long running communist-inspired anti-
government movement.
Agrarian reform: Tenancy Act – gave tenants the
access to justice through the Philippine courts.
While it did not emancipate the tenants from their
bondage to the soil, it was a beginning in social
reform.
Manuel Acuña Roxas of the Third
Republic
Foreign relations – Roxas enunciated
support for collective security, world
guarantees of noninterference in the
internal affairs of free people, world
cooperation for protection and promotion
of individual freedoms (of expression,
from want) and of world cooperation to
abolish trade barriers and discriminatory
trade practices.
Elpidio Rivera Quirino, one of the
best Philippine Presidents
Attempted to restore the faith of the people
in their government
Restoration of peace and order met major
setbacks with the resurgnece of the Huk
movement
Economic program: Economic Mobilization
Program
Central Bank of the Philippines was
established in 1949 to stabilize Philippine
currency
Developed expanded irrigation sustems for
farmers
Elpidio Rivera Quirino, one of the
best Philippine Presidents
Signed the Magna Carta of Labor and the
Minimum Wage Law
Quirino is regarded as the Father of Foreign
Service, as the first secretary of foreign affairs, he
was responsible for the establishment,
development, and growth of the foreign service.
First successful regional conference of Asian
countries held in Manila discussing a united effort
to stem the growing tide of communism in Asia.
He proposed a Pacific Charter
He was maligned in his lifetime by political rivals
because of the graft and corruption allegedly
committed by his friends.
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay,
champion of the masses
He is remembered for his strong commitment to
the welfare of the masses, having formulated an
economic industrialization program to develop a
strong and stable economy.
His grassroots level policy effectively broke the
backbone of the Huk movement.
His opening of Malacañang to the common TAO
symbolized his total concern in giving the TAO
his own place under the sun
He restored the people’s confidence in the
government by bridging the gap between the
masses and their officials
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay,
champion of the masses
Magsaysay checked the growth of the communist-
inspired rebellion and provided those who
surrendered to the government peacefully with
farm lots and means of livelihood.
A “Land for the Landless” policy was announced
which aimed to resettle landless tenants in
Koronadal Valley, Cotabato and provided with
initial capital
Magsaysay recognized that the roots of discontent
lay in economic causes, hence his credo:
◦ “those who have less in life should have more in law”
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay,
champion of the masses
Provided health services by the
establishment of rural health centers in
towns that had never seen a doctor.
◦ These rural health centers were staffed by a
doctor of medicine, a nurse, a midwife and
provided with a jeep and a driver.
◦ Better salaries were provided to attract young
doctors to rural areas.
Agricultural Tenancy Commission – to
look after tenancy-related disputes
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay,
champion of the masses
National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA) to promore land
settlement
Community Development Planning Council
– to improve rural living conditions
Agricultural Credit and Cooperative
Financing Administration (ACCFA) the
precursor of the Agricultural Credit
Administration to give loans to farmers, help
them market their products and provide them
warehousing facilities through their
cooperatives.