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    President Quezon - President Macapagal

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    Jeanine Bianca Lastino
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    THE COMMONWEALTH AND WORLD WAR II (1935 - 1945) ‘The government established by the Americans in the Philippines was democratic and republican in form; a government that was patterned after the United States. In this democratic government, the Filipinos began to govern themselves, though not completely. Nevertheless, this short period of apprenticeship in governance was a testimony not only to the American liberal tradition and tolerance, but also to the Filipino talent in learning the complex processes of running @ government. It was for this reason that when the war broke out in the Pacific and the Japanese occupied the Philippines for three years, the Filipinos remained loyal to the Americans as they suffered hunger, atrocities, and death in the hands of the Japanese. AsPresident of the Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon ably steered @ country that was beseiged by internal problems while it tried to survive a government in transition to independence. World War II brought out not only the capacity of such leaders as Quezon, Osmetia, and Laurel to oversee a government amidst war, but also the courage and capacity of the Filipino people to defend themselves against aggression from the outside. In this war, the cooperation between the Filipinos and their colonizer, the Americans, was perhaps unrivaled and not easy to explain nor forget. PROBLEMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH Inhis inaugural speech as the first President of the Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon said in part: We shall build a government that will be just, honest, efficient and strong so that the foundations of the coming Republic may be firm and enduring — agovernment, indeed, that must satisfy not only the passing needs of the hour but also the exacting demands of the future. The Commonwealth government was a transition government preparatory to granting of independence. It was a period of adjustment, of solving the many problems that confronted the nation as it marched toward its goal of complete emancipation from foreign rule, The problems it faced were on national security, social stability, and economic self sufficiency. Quezon faced these problems with courage and optimism. National Security Soon after the American occupation of the Philippines, some American statesmen felt that the Philippines was difficult to defend. When World ‘War II broke out, the United States which was hesitant about joining it at first, was not prepared to defend the Philippines as their colony. Japan's expansionist goal in the region would certainly include the Philippines an object of conquest and the United States would not be able to do anything. about it. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, believed that to avoid war with Japan, the United States should give the Philippines its independence. Japan then was a rising power and had defeated China and Russia in separate wars. In the succeeding years, Japan invaded Korea, Manchuria, and finally, China, It was this thought of an expanding Japan that hounded Quezon. Consequently, the first law he recommended to be passed by the National Assembly was the National Defense Law. This law provided for a citizen army composed of trainees who belonged to the 21 year old group. To put the law into operation, Quezon appointed General Douglas MacArthur as Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. MacArthur estimated that at the end of the Commonwealth period, the Philippines would have an army of about 400,000 able-bodied citizens. Because th was not enough money to finance the construction of costly battleshi cruisers, and destroyers, MacArthur thought of the so-called “mosqui fleet” This was composed of small, fast, and well-armed boats. Aviation was also considered because in modern wars, the role of airplanes bi become very important. Filipino pilots were trained in air warfare and prepared for possible war. These were the preparations made by Quez: to secure the military defense of the country against any foreign invader: Social Pre The agra perio: particular! by the few ignorance deliverar as noted in 1920s, the Mindanao and Souther in the 1 Pangasina: But the soc 1935. Fo corruption and, the Sakdalista government Social Problems ‘The agrarian problems that Quezon faced during the Commonwealth period could be traced to the Spanish period. The Filipino masses, particularly the peasants, had been exploited on the issue of friar estates by the few influential people in the community. Amidst poverty and ignorance, the masses toiled day after day without any hope of deliverance. This dire condition of the masses led many to rise in revolt, as noted in the various agrarian uprisings under Spanish rule. In the 1920s, the so-called Colorums took up arms against the authorities in Mindanao to show their displeasure over existing conditions. In Central and Southern Luzon and in the Visayas, the peasants also rose in revolt in the 1920s and the 1930s. In particular, the uprising in Tayug, 1935. Founded by Benigno R. Ramos, a Tagalog poet, the Sakdal organization identified itself with the peasants. It attacked graft and corruption in the government. It fought for immediate independence and, therefore, against the Tydings-McDuffie Act. On May 23, 1935, the revolted against the rising and punished Sakdalistas or members of the Sakdal organizati government. The government suppressed the v those who participated in it. Ramos, then, fled to Japan. ‘The period saw the rise of socialism and communism among the lower classes: peasants and workers. Through unions and associations, they worked for reforms beneficial to their class. Just like the Saledalistas, they were met with state violence and were outlawed ‘Quezon, in response, announced his policy of emancipating the to masses from social injustices. The problem, he said, was ho “harmonize property rights with the right to live — and the right to live is paramount and above every other right.” He initiated the policy of social justice for everyone. But because the government did not have tried to jowever, Pangasinan in 1931 was a reaction to the oppression of some landlords. But the social discontent was well-illustrated by the Sakdal Uprising in ' ‘ enough money with which to purchase landed estates, Quezo1 implement laws to improve the welfare of the rural population ' the big and powerful landlords and Quezon's private circle of friends and supporters resisted these social justice legislations. Thus, Quezo. social justice program failed. Economic Problems Other economic problems occupied Quezor Spanish period, the Chinese had been dominating the retail trade industry in the country. On the other hand, Philippine foreign trade was dominated by foreigners: the Americans, the Chinese, and the Japanese. When free trade between the Philippines and the United States began mn in 1909, Philippine products like sugar, coconut oil, abaca fiber, copra, and others, entered the American markets free of duty. This led to attention. Since the "olveronce— free fescue, setting | "ermonize—t0 bring into egreement artificial prosperity because those products had a ready market in the United States. Also, free trade led the Filipinos to depend, almost exclusively, on the American market and neglected the other foreign markets. In 1937, Quezon made an agreement with President Franklin D. Roosevelt regarding the creation of a joint preparatory committee composed of Filipino and American members. The committee studied the economic problems of the Commonwealth. It recommended that Philippine-American free trade relations be extended so that the Philippines could have enough time to adjust its economy before independence. Some Philippine products would be allowed to enter the United States in limited quantities, while others would enter without export duties. Other Problems Quezon also realized the serious language problem. The Philippines has more than a hundred languages and dialects. Under American rule and during the Commonwealth, English served as the medium of instruction and communication. Filipinos had to use a foreign language to communicate with one another. To solve this problem, Quezon asked the National Assembly to pass a law providing for the creation of a national language institute which would study the language problem On December 30, 1937, upon the recommendation of the Institute of National Language, composed of representatives from the different regions, Quezon proclaimed that Tagalog would be used as the basis of the national language, Quezon also realized that the Japanese in the Philippines were becoming strong. They had been developing Davao as their special economic province and although Filipinos were being employed, the political leaders nevertheless, felt that the increasing economic strengt of the Japanese in Mindanao might endanger the security of Philippines. To remedy the situation, Quezon recommended the passage of the Immigration Act, which was passed in 1940. It provided every nation would be granted an annual immigration quota of 500 ‘The Japanese thought that it was directed against Japan consequently denounced the law as anti-Japanese ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH Ina span of five years, from 1935 to the outbreak of the war is 1941, the Commonwealth government had achieved relative progre in commerce and industry, transportation and communication, public welfare, and art and literature. From 1930 to 1935, before Commonwealth, the country’s performance in terms of foreign tr was quite poor that in 193 ¥346,000,0 Commonweal ports of Ma Quez. facilities. Inte were improved of buses, can transportation Airfields we country closer and radio bros of families ows The Natio created the Na “advise the policy, he Nat more efficient established g Corporati main duty wa: producers or m Public wel certain agen Charities, and and extend th People with children were Settlement were given full which also di earthquakes, was passed in Thearts a contests and was held undi writing the big In 1939, Quez Writers Leage Tagalog, Eng biographies, Because of writers were e arket in the 3d, almost foreign Franklin committee > B. Quezon asked : was quite poor relative to the succeeding years. Statistical data reported that in 1933, the Philippine foreign trade amounted to only 'P'346,000,000, but rose to 520,000,000 in 1936, the first year of the Commonwealth period. Foreign trade was made possible through the ports of Manila, Mindanao, and Southern Luzon Quezon improved the country’s transportation and communication facilities. Inter-island shipping was encouraged and the railway lines were improved and extended to La Union and Legazpi, Albay. The number of buses, cars, vessels, and taxicabs increased a great deal, thus making transportation and communication accessible at relatively cheap fares. Airfields were constructed to bring the cities and principal towns of the country closer together. Telephone and wireless services were improved and radio broadcasting was inaugurated in Manila, By 1940 of families owning radio sets was more than 60,000. The National Assembly, upon the recommendation of Quezon, created the National Economic Council whose primary duty was to “advise the government on economic matters.” In accordance with this policy, the National Development Company was reorganized to make it more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people. It also established government companies such as the National Food Products Corporation, the National Rice and Corn Corporation, and others, whose main duty was to protect the people from being exploited by unscrupulous producers or merchants. Public welfare was given priority as the government strengthened certain agencies like the Bureau of Public Welfare, the Associated Charities, and the National Relief Administration in order to improve and extend the scope of service to the people, especially to the poor. People with mentalillnesses, the children of poor families, and delinquent children were taken care of by agencies such as the Welfareville, the Settlement House, and the Child Welfare Division. Likewise, the jobless ‘were given full or part time jobs by the National Relief Administration, which also distributed food to victims of natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, fires, and the like. Women's suffrage, as mentioned earlier, was passed in 1937. The arts and literature were encouraged by the government through contests and competitions for artists and writers. A contest in painting was held under government auspices in 1936. A national contest on writing the biography of Rizal was conducted by the government in 1938 In 1939, Quezon, acting through the recommendation of the Philippine Writers League, established the Commonwealth Literary Contests in Tagalog, English, and Spanish. The contests included writings for biographies, history, poetry, short stories, novels, dramas, and essays. Because of these contests, literary activities increased and many talented writers were encouraged to write in the three languages. Lnserypulous ~ dishonest, © corupt THE WaR IN THE PaciFic The preparations of the Commonwealth for an independent Philippines was interrupted when the war in the Pacific broke out in 1941. The fear of Filipino political leaders, especially Claro M. Recto, that Japan was a menace to the security of the Philippines, came true On December 7, 1941, Hawaiian time, Japanese bombers attacked the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Provoked by the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke before the joint session of the American Congress and urged it to declare war against Japan. “Yesterday,” Roosevelt said, “December 7, 1941, ... the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire of Japan.” Immediately, the Congress declared war against Japan. On December 8, British time, England also declared war against Japan and the war in the Pacific was on. The Occupation of Manila ‘The Japanese naval, military, and air forces took the offensive against the United States, Britain, and Holland. Their colonies in Asia were attacked—the Philippines, Malaya, and Indonesia. On December 8 and the succeeding days, the Japanese bombed many places, including Manila and the suburbs. In order to save Manila from destruction, General Douglas MacArthur declared it an open city. All guns and other defenses were withdrawn from Manila, But the Japanese did not honor the declaration of the open city. They continued bombing it, resulting in the destruction of properties and buildings like the old Santo Domingo Church, the Intendencia, which later on became the Central Bank Building, San Juan de Letran College, Santa Catalina College, and the offices of the newspapers, El Debate, Mabuhay, Philippines Herald, and Monday Mail. Meanwhile, Japanese forces landed simultaneously in Northern and Southern Luzon. Both forces knifed through the Filipino- American defenses, and on January 2 the Japanese forces entered and occupied Manila, The Fall of Bataan and Corregidor Quezon was very sick when the war broke out. His illness became serious when he learned that thousands of Filipinos died as a result of Japanese bombing in Bataan and other places, In order to save him from the Japanese who were driving toward Manila, MacArthur suggested that Quezon, his family, together with Vice President Osmeiia and his family, as well asa few others, should go to Corregidor. In Corregidor, on December 30, - Douglas MeArtinae Quezon to: as President With Bataan an began tot and the Fil Food w, soldiers si would soo: to Australia from wher suffered ni and cannon April 9, 19 a few Am was referred devote t suffered fr on May6, Ge to the Japax GovERN Short General Ma: the reorgani Administrat Interior, Fin and Public ¥ departm actually spie the head: authorities. was change Education To gain authorities the spiritual culture; the encouragem promotion o military aut! an independent ic broke out in laro M. Recto, nes, came true, s attacked the d by the attack, session of the an. “Yesterday,” suddenly re of Japan.” On December 8, ind the war in ffensive against December 8 and iding Manila ‘on, General ther defenses ot honor the resulting in the Santo Domingo he Central Bank College, and the Herald, and ultaneously in the Filipino: entered and Gen. Douglas McArtiae Quezon took his oath of office to mark the beginning of his second term as President of the Commonwealth. With Manila and other parts of Luzon in the hands of the Japanese Bataan and Corregidor, under the command of General MacArthur, began to take heavy beating from the enemy. The help that MacArthur and the Filipinos were expecting from the United States did not come. Food was scarce in Bataan and as a result, Filipino and American soldiers suffered from hunger and diseases. Realizing that Bataan would soon fall, President Roosevelt ordered Quezon to be transferred to Australia. In March, he also ordered MacArthur to fly to Australia, from where he would direct military operations against Japan. Having suffered not only from hunger and diseases but also from enemy bombs and cannon fire, the American commander in Bataan surrendered on April 9, 1942. Hundreds were killed during the transit of Filipino and afew American prisoners of war to Capas, Tarlac. This atrocious event was referred to as the “Death March”. The Japanese were now free to devote their entire offensive against Corregidor. This tiny island suffered from the almost ceaseless bombing attacks of the enemy and on May 6, General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered the Philippines to the Japanese, GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Shortly after the occupation of Manila by the Japanese forces, General Masaharu Homma, the Japanese commander-in-chief, ordered the reorganization of the central government. This was renamed Central ‘Administrative Organization composed of six executive departments— Interior, Finance, Justice, Agriculture and Commerce, Education, Health and Public Welfare, and Public Works and Communications. In each department, Japanese “advisers” were installed. The advisers were actually spies or agents of the Japanese military. All appointments to the headship of departments had to be approved by the Japanese military authorities, On the provincial and municipal levels, however, nothing was changed. Educational Policy of the Japanese To gain the sympathy of the Filipinos, the Japanese military authorities declared that Japanese educational policy would be based on the spiritual rejuvenation of the Filipinos; the propagation of Filipino culture; the propagation of the Japanese language and culture; the encouragement of vocational and elementary education; and the promotion of love of labor. To implement this policy, the Japanese military authorities ordered the opening of schools, especially those | moke as i {young egaie | or new opie giving courses in agriculture, fisheries, medicine, and engineering. In spite of attempts to encourage Filipinos to go to school, many school children remained in their homes or on their farms. Enrollment in the schools throughout the Philippines did not exceed 300,000. The uncertainty of war conditions discouraged schooling and other activities. The Second Republic To win the trust of the Filipinos, the Japanese authorities in Japan decided that the Philippines should be given its independence. The real intention of the Japanese was to show the Filipinos that they were better than the Americans, such that, in just a very short period of more than a year, they offered independence to the Filipinos. Consequently, a commission created for the purpose of framing a constitution was headed by Jose P. Laurel as president. On September 4, 1943, the constitution prepared by the Commission was approved by a convention. On September 25, the National Assembly elected Jose P. Laurel as President of the Second Republic. This was inaugurated on October 14, 1943, In his inaugural speech, Laurel said: 1am sure our people will rise as one to meet the We shalténcounter difficulties greater: hallenge an we have ever faced in our national history...God helping us, we shall march with steady, resolute steps forward, without doubt, vacillation, or fear. In spite of great efforts exerted by Laurel and other government officials, the prices of commodities, especially foodstuff, increased daily until it was impossible for most Filipinos to eat three times a day. At such times, the Filipinos ate substitutes. Thus, mango or avocado leaves were boiled as substitute for tea. Papaya leaves were dried, cut, and used as substitute for tobacco. Corn was boiled and sprinkled with salt to be eaten. The lowly kangkong was cultivated for food. Most Filipinos lived on these substitutes. Rice was very scarce. The Japanese army either bought all the rice or confiscated it. Thousands died of hunger in Manila and in other centers of population where food was scarce. Brutalities and rapes were also recorded. Jose P. Laurel GUERRILLA V The Filipini Many of the sole founded guerrill guerrilla outf The guerrillas them. Filipino guerrilla units. T in Australia. Am Tomas Confe Ruperto Kang! Wendell Fertig of Miguel Ver and Guerrillas; Ma Guerrilla; and warfare tac difficult. Becav Philippines w. the ground w: THE GOVERN Quezon ar brought to Austr and then by trai Quezon reorgan ncluded General Nieto, Secretary Resident Com Jaime Hernand Commonwealth of Quezon beyo and on August 1 succeeded by Vie THE RETURN Jose P. Laurel GUERRILLA WARFARE The Filipinos, with very few exceptions, were anti-Japanese. Many of the soldiers who escaped Bataan and Corregidor joined or founded guerrilla organizations. Throughout the entire Philippines, guerrilla outfits sprang like mushrooms. Patriotism was at its height. ‘The guerrillas harassed Japanese army units, ambushed, and killed them. Filipino spies in the employ of the Japanese sent reports to their guerrilla units. These in turn sent the reports to General MacArthur in Australia, Among the most famous guerrilla leaders were Governor Tomas Confesor of Iloilo; Colonel Macario Peralta, of Panay; Colonel Ruperto Kangleon of Leyte; Tomas Cabili, Salipada Pendatun, and Wendell Fertig of Mindanao; Wenceslao Q. Vinzons of Camarines Norte; Miguel Ver and Eleuterio Adevoso, who headed the Hunters R.O-1.C Guerrillas; Marcos Agustin or Marking, who headed the Marking’s Guerrilla; and Luis Tarue, who led the Hukbalahap. Their guerrilla warfare tactics made the Japanese conquest of the Philippines very difficult. Because of the Filipino guerrillas, MacArthur's return to the Philippines was facilitated. When Macarthur and his forces returned, the ground was ready for clearing operations. Tur GOVERNMENT-IN-EXILE Quezon and his party left Corregidor in February 1942. They were brought to Australia and from there they took a boat to San Francisco, and then by train, reached Washington, D.C. It was in the U.S. that Quezon reorganized the Commonwealth government. His Cabinet included General Basilio Valdes, Secretary of National Defense; Manuel Nieto, Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce; Joaquin Blizalde, Resident Commissioner; Dr. Arturo B, Rotor, Executive Secretary; and Jaime Hernandez, Secretary of Finance. Because of war conditions, the Commonwealth government thought it wise to extend the presidency of Quezon beyond his term of office. However Quezon was very si and on August 1, 1944 he died at Saranac Lake, New York. He was succeeded by Vice President Sergio Osmeti Tue RETURN oF MacARTHUR In 1944, the United States began its offensive against Japan. Island after island in the Pacific, which the Japanese had captured early in the war, fell into the hands of the Americans. In several naval battles, the American navy won over the Japanese navy. MacArthur, feeling that it was time to return to the Philippines, ordered all his naval, marine, and air forces to begin the attack on the Japanese in the Philippines who had for the most part been defeated by the Filipino guerrillas. Manila and other places were heavily bombed by American airplanes. On October 20, the American air and naval forces bombarded the Japanese positions in Leyte, On the same day, the Americans landed on Leyte and the battle for Philippine liberation began. In several encounters, the Japanese navy was defeated by elements of the American navy which guarded Leyte. As the Japanese military forces weakened, MacArthur landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan on January 9, 1945. From Lingayen, the American army sliced through Central Luzon and reached Manila at twilight of February 3, 1945. The American and allied prisoners of war at the University of Santo Tomas were freed. , mee. © : The Leyte Landing Memorial in Pelo, Leyte THE COMMONWEALTH REESTABLISHED When Leyte was liberated from the Japanese, MacArthur reestablished the Commonwealth on October 23, 1944, with Tacloban as the temporary capital. MacArthur was the military administrator; but on February 27, 1945, he turned over the reins of government to President Osmefia. Then on July 4, MacArthur proclaimed the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese. Sergio Osmed THE END OF? With the proposed to carry called Superfortn Osaka, and other succeeded Roo’ Churchill of Engla At first Japan atomic bombs threats of ai On September 2 the battleship finally over. 1. Enumer: opinion, whi 2. Discuss na the problem 3. What is mi MacArthur your answer 4, What soc problems v 5, What is Did he suces 6. How did Qu period? 7. Discuss Which of th you? Expla 8. Why and h justified in 9. What ism anopenc your reas Tue END OF THE WAR With the Japanese defeated in the Philippines, MacArthur now proposed to carry the war to Japan itself. Hundreds of huge bombers, called Superfortresses, bombed Japan, particularly Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and other Japanese cities. President Harry S. Truman, who had succeeded Roosevelt after his death, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of England demanded for Japan to surrender unconditionally At first Japan refused to surrender. The Americans then dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Faced with threats of annihilation, Japan surrendered unconditional On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the terms of surrender on boar: the battleship USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay. The war in the Pacific was finally over. Stupy GuIpE 1, Enumerate and discuss the problems of the Commonwealth. In your opinion, which of these problems was the most serious? Why? 2. Discuss national security asa problem. How did Quezon try to solve the problem? 3. What is meant by a citizen army? Who composed it? Do you think MacArthur was right in establishing such kind of army? Explain your answer, 4, What social problems did Quezon face? Which of these social problems was the most serious? How did he try to solve it? ‘What is meant by “social justice?” How did Quezon implement it? Did he succeed in completely implementing it? Why? 6. How did Quezon meet the problems of rural and labor unrest of the period? Discuss the achievements of the Commonwealth government. Which of these achievements appear to be the most important for you? Explain your answer. 8. Why and how did the war in the Pacific break out? Was Japan justified in bombing Pearl Harbor without a declaration of war? 9. What is meant by “open city?” Why did MacArthur declare Manila an open city? Was he right in declaring Manila as an open city? Give your reason or reasons, Vnniilaon- | the actof | destroying completely & the declaration of Bas of the Japanese. Bvadvisers” in every Why was enrollment B= Philippines? Bly foodstuff, were Be did the Filipinos did they aders? In how at iezon's term 2? Why? ed to the Philippines e Allies ‘alist ac mn) FA I AS THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1946-1969) a ‘The Eirst Republic (the Malolos Republic) and the Second Republic (during the Japanese period) were both born amidst the turmoils of a revolution and harsh enemy occupation. The birth of the Third Republic in 1946 was no less turbulent. Established right after a world war that left behind a physically-devastated country and a deeply-wounded people—psychologically and emotionally—the young Republic was ‘weak and vulnerable to undue pressures from the United States, its former colonizer and wartime ally. Impoverished and without the capacity to reconstruct itself after World War Il, the Philippines had to accept U.S. aid—financial help with a lot of strings attached. Among the conditions tied to American aid to the Philippines were (1) the parity rights to Americans to exploit the country’s natural resources; (2) U.S. military and naval bases on Philippine territory; and (3)anumber of defense and trade arrangements favorable to the Americans. How could the country be called sovereign or independent with all these economic and political strangleholds? This became a recurring problem of all presidents from President Roxas to Quirino, Garcia, Magsaysay, Macapagal, and Marcos. Likewise, poverty caused by unproductive agriculture (due to lack of genuine land reform and backward technology), the absence of real industrialization, dependence on foreign loans and exports—plagued every administration. Graft and corruption, rural and urban unrest, crimes, and violent elections characterized every presidency. Conflicts caused by the Cold War (sivalry for world power between the U.S. and communist countries) escalated conflicts from within Philippine society. Meanwhile, the elite continued to dominate both the economy and politics of the country, with slow progress for a fast-growing population, Finfrastructure— 3 {geod eoncltion ConDITIONS AFTER THE WAR ‘The end of World War I! left the Philippines devastated. The Japanese had fought savagely, inch by inch, and this led to bitter fighting and the destruction of farms, workanimals, machinery, buildings, roads, bridges, and more importantly, thousands upon thousands of Filipino lives. The heavy bombing of Manila by the Americans to clear the city of Japanese hideouts destroyed infrastructures needed for economic recovery. For many months there was no production. There was widespread unemployment. Food was scarce and thousands died of various diseases. The total picture was discouraging and desperate. The problems that confronted the Commonwealth were a challenge to the statemanship of President Sergio Osmefia who took over after Quezon's death. The courage and spirit of cooperation among the people were again put to the test. American Aid Could a country so devastated rehabilitate itself and be ready for independence? The American Army in the Philippines created an agency to extend immediate aid to the Filipinos. The Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) was set up to help the military commanders in extending relief aid to the suffering people. Municipal officials and teachers paid their salaries by the PCAU. The American Government gave money to the Philippine government for the purchase of foodstuff, medicine, and clothing for the Filipinos. However, this money was to be paid back by the Philippine Government in due time. Distributing centers in Manila and the provinces were established. Rice, corn, sardines, salmon, and other American goods were distributed tothe people. PCAU also employed Filipino laborers in American military projects and thus, provided money for circulation, Little by people began to be preoccupied by selling American goods, cigarettes, and even military clothing. le, mar ‘THE GOVERNMENT REORGANIZED In order to make the government responsive to the immediate need of the people, President Osmena, in March 1945, reorganized th government. The executive departments, as they existed immediat: before the war, were restored and a new department, the Depart of Information was created. After his oath-taking, Osmeiia spoke of what lay ahead, He said in part Wesha in which go the people b Westan for the rig pursuit of ha Westan greater saf We ar States, in... world On the ins Congress to problems of t American Fin The recent! suffered much # Government de conducting a r its operat sued during asale value o Government. T for purposes of Parity Rights Moreover, on into law, known e free trade ral should contim that year, a question ‘onstitution in lippines. This given the right timber, and mi Constitution of corporations of exploit, develop, ed. The Japanese er fighting and the ngs, roads, bridges, f Filipino lives. ms to clear the city of ed for economic ion, There was usands died of and desperate. e a challenge took over after among the ready for anagency See Civil Affairs We shall reestablish in our country a social and political system. in which government officials and employee the people but their servants We stand for individual liberties, guaranteed by our Constitution, for the right of every man and woman to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We stand for a new world free from want and fear, provided with are not the masters of greater safeguards for lasting peace We are ready to take part, in close association with the United es, in... the organization and preservation of peace in the world On the insistent suggestion of General MacArthur, Osmefia called Congress to session to pass laws designed to help solve the serious problems of the country. American Financial Aid The recently concluded war was an American war, but the Filipinos suffered much more than the Americans. As such, the American Government decided to extend financial aid to the Philippines. After conducting a survey of the damage done by the Japanese and by the Americans themselves, the Congress of the United States appropriated one hundred million dollars to be used by the Philippine Government for its operating expenses and for the redemption of guerrilla notes issued during the war. Moreover, American Army surplus materials with a sale value of one hundred million pesos were given to the Philippine Government. The Philippines was given a loan of sixty million dollars for purposes of reconstruction. Parity Rights to Americans Moreover, on October 1945, the American Congress passed a bill into law, known as the Bell Trade Relations Act, which provided that the free trade relations between the Philippines and the United States should continue beyond the Commonwealth period or up to 1954. After that year, Philippine products entering the United States would be taxed 5% each year until the full 100% was reached in 1974. The law, however, had a questionable provision that required the Filipinos to amend the Constitution in order to grant the Americans parity rights in the Philippines. This meant that the Americans, like the Filipinos, would be given the right to dispose, exploit, develop, and utilize “all agricultural, timber, and mineral lands” in the Philippines. This violated the Constitution of 1935, which provided that after independence only corporations of which 60% was owned by Filipinos were allowed to exploit, develop, dispose, and utilize the natural resources of the country. ‘safeguard — protective ‘amendment — ‘correction of an error; ‘an alteration for change Many patriotic Filipinos objected to this unjust provision of the Bell Trade Relations Law, but the majority of the people were hungry and sick and, therefore, helpless. In order to get the financial aid from the United States, an amendment to the Constitution was passed, to allow for parity rights. THE THIRD REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED When Congress was convened by Osmetia, it proceeded to elect Manuel A. Roxas to the presidency of the Senate. Roxas wanted to become President of the Philippines, and Osmetia, who was not in good health, wanted to retire. He was, however, persuaded by men around him to run for the presidency. In the election of April 23, 1946, Roxas was elected President of the Commonwealth and, at the same time, the first President of the Third Republic. On July 4, 1946, adate chosen by the American Government, the proclamation of Philippine independence by U.S. President Harry S. Truman was read by Paul V. McNutt, the last American High Commissioner to the Philippines. In the proclamation, President Truman said that the United States was withdrawing and surrendering “all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty now existing and exercised by the United States of America in and over the territory and people of the Philippines.” At the same time, Truman also said that the United States, through him, was recognizing the “independence of the Philippines as a separate and self-governing nation.” ‘Manvel A. Roxas Roxas took of the Philippi on April 15, 19: in which he prom of another war. Naval Base, in e also faced th The Hukbalal The Rox: Elpidio Qui ‘The Hukbalahag was founded eat of peasants intellectuals li Vicente, Jose, peasant lea Hukbalahap) made Central Japanese. T! amongthela surrender of # Corregidor, from Bataan. T After the wai that their landits win over the Hu of outlaws. In Mi organization, th illegal. Violent took place and ¢ President of ayo believed that a achieved econo: productivity and bysetting up th Magna Carta ¢ diplomatic and Thailand, Sout However, the development n of the Bell ere hungry and al aid from the ssed, to allow d by men lection of chosen by Philippine n High lamation, ates was ed by the Roxas took his oath of office as first President of the Third Republic of the Philippines. But Roxas stayed in office for only two years. He died on April 15, 1948 after deliveringa speech at Clark Air Base, Pampanga, in which he promised Filipino cooperation with the United States in case of another war. He was referring to the looming Korean war. Conscious of the problem of national security, President Roxas granted the U.S. control of the military and naval bases at Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base, in exchange for military aid. The country at this time was also faced with a Communist unrest in the rural areas, The Hukbalahap Problem The Roxas administration and that of his successor, Elpidio Quirino, were faced with the Hukbalahap problem, The Hukbalahap (short for Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) was founded early in 1942 as an anti-Japanese organization of peasants in Central Luzon. These peasants were led by intellectuals like Pedro Abad Santos and the Lava brothers, Vicente, Jose, and Jesus. Their supremo was Luis Taruc, a peasant leader. The Huks (short for members of the Hukbalahap) won many skirmishes with the enemy and made Central Luzon practically independent of the Japanese, The Huks had become so powerful that the greedy among the landlords of Central Luzon feared them. After the surrender of the Filipino-American troops in Bataan and Corregidor, the Huks succeeded in getting many firearms from Bataan. These weapons were used against the Japanese. After the war, they refused to surrender their arms because they feared that their landlords might hire armed men to kill them. Roxas failed to win over the Huks to his side. He, therefore, declared the Huks a band of outlaws. In March 1948, he declared the Hukbalahap and its peasant organization, the Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) as illegal. Violent encounters between the government forces and the Huks took place and Central Luzon became a no man's land. As the second President of a young and shaky Republic, Elpidio Quirino, an economist, believed that a country could not be truly independent unless it had achieved economic stability. Thus, this program focused on agricultural productivity and industrialization. He also stabilized Philippine currency by setting up the Central Bank of the Philippines. He signed into law the Magna Carta of Labor and the Minimum Wage Law. He opened diplomatic and trade relations with neighboring countries such as Thailand, South Korea, Nationalist China, India, Indonesia, and Australia. However, the Huk rebellion persisted and continued to disrupt development. Elpidio R. Quirino amnesty—a | © organization Politburo = executive committee of governing

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