Carlos P.

Garcia

Whenever we hear the name Carlos P. Garcia, we know him as the 8 th President of
the Philippines. The one who replaced Ramon Magsaysay after that tragic 1957 plane
crash in Mt. Manunggal in Cebu. Lastly, the one who anchored the Filipino First Policy.
But beyond that, who is really this man who is considered a Nationalian at heart?
From his humble origins in Talibon, Bohol, Garcia pursued his bachelor’s degree
in Siliman University then went to the Philippine Law School which was under NU and
was handled by the Lacson Brothers (Ricardo and Simeon). He finished with flying
colors in 1923 and was among the top 10 in the bar exams the same year. It is the main
reason why NU has the right to claim him as its alumnus.
Garcia was known in his time as the “prince of Visayan poets” because of his
expertise in oratory, poetry and debate. He briefly taught at a public high school in Bohol.
Since then he went on to pursue his political career. He served as assemblyman of
the third district of Bohol and as provincial governor for nine years (1931-1940). He won
a seat in the Philippine Senate in 1940 but when the Second World War broke out, his
term was abruptly discontinued. During the Japanese Occupation, he joined a guerilla
unit in Leyte until time of liberation in 1945.
When the Philippine Commonwealth was restored, his legislative career resumed
as he sponsored legislations on the country’s reconstruction and rehabilitation. He also
participated at the international conference in San Francisco, California which drafted the
United Nations Charter. When the United States recognized Philippine Independence in
1946, he was the only senator who opposed the parity rights amendment to the 1935
Constitution which provided equal rights to the Americans to exploit our natural
resources and operate public utilities.
In 1953, Garcia was chosen as running mate by Nacionalista standard bearer and
former defense secretary Ramon Magsaysay to be his running mate as vice-president.
They won the election handing the Liberal Party’s tandem of Pres. Elpidio Quirino and
running mate Jose Yulo its first defeat.
Garcia was appointed by Magsaysay as concurrent secretary of foreign affairs. He
served as the catalyst of Philippine foreign relations with other countries. He participated
in several conferences in the country and abroad. One of which was the 1954 Bandung
Conference in Indonesia and the SEATO Conference that he presided which produced the
Manila Pact and the Pacific Charter. He was in a meeting in Canberra, Australia when
Pres. Magsaysay died from that tragic plane crash. He was sworn as president to serve his
predecessor’s remaining nine-month unexpired term.
He ran for the presidential elections in 1957 and won. It was in 1958 when the
National Economic Council of Garcia’s administration anchored the Filipino First Policy
to encourage the patronizing of Filipino products in order to boost its Gross Domestic
Product (GDP). Thus, empowering the local industries. By September 1959, he tasked
Foreign Affairs Secretary Felixberto Serrano to talk with US Ambassador Charles Bohlen
and sign a memorandum of agreement to shorten the lease of the US Military bases from
99 to 25 years with renewal options. It was also during his term when the Philippines
along with Malaysia and Thailand established the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA),
the precursor of the present Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He ran for reelection in 1961 but lost to Vice Pres. Diosdado Macapagal. Years
after retiring from public office, Garcia was elected as delegate and eventual president of
the 1971 Constitutional Convention on June 11, 1971. Three days later, he passed away a
couple of years before the 1973 Constitution was ratified.
Throughout his political career, Garcia never failed to exude his patriotism. All
his decision makings are for the best interest of the country no matter what criticisms he
faced. An epitome of a true-blooded Nationalian.