CHAPTER 21

THE THIRD REPUBLIC

(1946-1969)
By: Carmel Lea C. Jamosmos
TTH – 10:00 am to 11:30 am
 THIRD REPUBLIC (1946-1969)

• The Third Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on July 4, 1946. It marked the culmination of the peaceful
campaign for Philippine Independence—the two landmarks of which were the enactment of the Jones Law in
1916.
• Thus, the inauguration of the Third Republic marked the fulfillment of the long struggle for independence that
began with the Philippine Revolution on August 23, 1896 (recent scholarship suggests, on August 24) and which
was formalized on June 12, 1898 with the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite.
• From 1946 to 1961, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4. On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado
Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 28, s. 1962, which declared June 12 as Independence Day. In 1964,
Congress passed Republic Act No. 4166, which formally designated June 12 of every year as the date on which
we celebrate Philippine independence. July 4 in turn has been observed as Republic Day since then.
 MANUEL A. ROXAS

•  First President of the Third Republic of the

Philippines Term: July 4, 1946- April 15, 1948
• President Roxas moved to strengthen
sovereignty by proposing a Central Bank for
the Philippines to administer the Philippine
banking system which was established by
Republic Act No. 265.
 THE ROXAS ADMINISTRATION ALSO PIONEERED
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC.

• In an effort to solve the massive socio-economic problems of the

period, President Roxas reorganized the government, and proposed a
wide-sweeping legislative program. Among the undertakings of the
Third Republic’s initial year were: The establishment of the
Rehabilitation Finance Corporation (which would be reorganized in
1958 as the Development Bank of the Philippines); the creation of the
Department of Foreign Affair and the organization of the foreign
service through Executive Order No. 18; the GI Bill of Rights for
Filipino veterans; and the revision of taxation laws to increase
government revenues.
 ELPIDIO QUIRINO 

• Second President, Third Republic of the Philippines

• Term: April 17, 1948- November 10, 1953
• President Quirino established the Action Committee
on Social Amelioration through Administrative Order
No. 68, in order to efficiently promote the welfare of
citizens in the rural districts. He established the
Social Security Study Commission by virtue of
Executive Order No. 150, to investigate socio-
economic problems of the working class and
formulate legislation developing social welfare.
 VICE PRESIDENT ELPIDIO QUIRINO WAS
APPOINTED SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

• The Labor Management Advisory Board, established by

Executive Order No. 158, formulated labor policies and
conducted studies on the ways and means of preventing,
minimizing, and reconciling labor disputes. The Agricultural
Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration, established
by Republic Act. No. 821, assisted farmers in securing credit
as well as developing cooperative associations to efficiently
market their agricultural commodities.
 RAMON MAGSAYSAY

• Third President of the Third Republic of the

Philippines • Term: December 30, 1953-
March 17, 1957 
• Best known for successfully defeating the
communist led Hukbalahap (Huk)
Movement. Idol of the masses, champion of
democracy, and freedom fighter.
 AMONG T HE AC COMP LIS HME NTS OF THE
M AGSAYS AY ADMINIS TRAT ION W ERE T HE S OCIAL
S ECURIT Y LAW

• In an effort to solve the problems of communism and insurgency,

President Magsaysay sought to protect the farmers, through the
creation of laws such as: the Agricultural Tenancy Act of the
Philippines or Republic Act No. 1199; the Land Reform Act of
1955 through Republic Act No. 1400; the formation of the Court of
Agrarian Relations through Republic Act No. 1267; and the
National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA)
through Republic Act No. 1160. The administration achieved
victory over insurgents with the surrender of Huk leader Luis Taruc
in 1954.
 CARLOS P. GARCIA

• Fourth President of the Third Republic of the

Philippines • Term: March 18, 1957- December
30, 1961.
• Famous for his austerity program and policy. He
maintained the strong tradition ties with the
United States and sought closer relation with
non- communist Asian countries.
 THE GARCIA ADMINISTRATION PROMOTED
THE “FILIPINO FIRST” POLICY

• It is whose focal point was to regain economic independence; a national effort by

Filipinos to “obtain major and dominant participation in their economy.” The
administration campaigned for the citizens’ support in patronizing Filipino products and
services, and implemented import and currency controls favorable for Filipino
industries. In connection with the government’s goal of self-sufficiency was the
“Austerity Program,” which President Garcia described in his first State of the NatIon
Address as “more work, more thrift, more productive investment, and more efficiency”
that aimed to mobilize national savings. The Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,
through Republic Act No. 301, aimed to prevent corruption, and promote honesty and
public trust. Another achievement of the Garcia administration was the Bohlen–Serrano
Agreement of 1959, which shortened the term of lease of the US military bases in the
country from the previous 99 to 25 years.
 DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL

• Fifth President of the Third Republic of the

Philippines • Term: December 30, 1961 -
December 30, 1965
• Poet, politician, lawyer, diplomat, statesman,
economist and intellectual. • Born to poverty but
rose due to diligence and brilliance. • Best known
as the "Champion of the Common Man” and “The
poor boy from Lubao”
AMONG THE LAWS PASSED DURING THE MACAPAGAL
ADMINISTRATION WERE: REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3844 OR
THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REFORM CODE

• Republic Act No. 3466, which established the Emergency Employment

Administration; Republic Act No. 3518, which established the
Philippine Veterans Bank; Republic Act No. 3470, which established
the National Cottage Industries Development Authority (NACIDA) to
organize, revive, and promote the establishment of local cottage
industries; and Republic Act No. 4156, which established the
Philippine National Railways (PNR) to operate the national railroad
and tramways. The administration lifted foreign exchange controls as
part of the decontrol program in an attempt to promote national
economic stability and growth.
 PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

• On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued

Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared June 12 a
special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in
commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and
inalienable right to freedom and independence." On August 4,
1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed July 4 holiday as
"Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed June 12 as "Philippine
Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines
to observe the latter with befitting rites.
 CONDITIONS AFTER THE WAR

• The Philippines had suffered great loss of life and

tremendous physical destruction by the time the war was
over. An estimated 1 million Filipinos had been killed, a
large proportion during the final months of the war, and
Manila was extensively damaged. There were extreme
poverty after the war, many people would starve.
 AMERICAN AID

• The American Army helped the Philippines and has created n agency to
immediately paid the Filipinos, PCAU or Philippines Civil Affairs Unit was set
up to help extending the relief aid to the suffering people. Municipal Officials
and Government job were paid by PCAU. Philippine Government received lots
of money from the American Government and has purchased a lot of foods and
other things for the Filipinos.
• PCAU also emlpoyed Filipino laborers in American Military projects and thus,
provided money for circulation.
 SERGIO OSMEÑA

• The following year Osmeña became vice

president, with Quezon as president. He
remained vice president during the Japanese
occupation, when the government was in exile
in Washington, D.C. On the death of Quezon
in August 1944, Osmeña became president.
 THE GOVERNMENT REORGANIZED

• President Osmeña later reorganized a government in order to

make the government responsive to the needs of the people.
• Osmeña restored the Commonwealth government and the
various executive departments. He continued the fight for
Philippine independence
 AMERICAN FINANCIAL AID

• After the damage done of the Japanese and the Americans, the Congress of the
United Stated appropriate one hundred million dollars to be used by the
Philippine government for its operating expenses and for the redemption of
Guerilla notes issued during the war.
• The country was given a loan of sixty million dollar for purpose of
reconstruction,
 PARITY RIGHTS TO AMERICANS

• Filipinos amend the constitution in order to get the financial aid from the
Americans that granted the Americans party rights which means they were
given the rights to dispose exploit, develop, and utilize all agricultural timber
and minerals in the country,.

• In October 1945m The American congress passed a bill into law known as Bell
Trade relations.
 PROCLAMATION OF THE THIRD
REPUBLIC

• April 23, 1946 – Manuel A. Roxas was elected President of the

Commonwealth, and was the first president of the Third Republic .
• July 4, 1946 – American Government proclaimed the Philippine Independence
by US President Harry S. Truman and was read by Paul V. Mcnutt, the last
American Hight Commissioner of the Philippines,
 HUKBALAHAP PROBLEM
(HUKBONG BAAYAN LABAN SA HAPON/HUKS)

• It was formed in 1942 as anti Japanese organization of peasants in Central

Luzon led by Luis Taruc.
• Roxas administration faced the problem with the Huks, He declared Huks a
band of Outlaws.
 MAGSAYSAY AND THE HUKS

• October 18, 1950 – The Huk Politburo fell into the hands of the military and
police authorities.
• Ramon Magsaysay who was Quirino’s Secretary of National Defense won the
presidency in 1953 with the help of the American money.
• In 1964, Dr. Jesus Lava, Taruc’s successor as Huk chieftain was captyred in
Manila. The backbone of the Huk movement was finally broken.
• Magsaysay approved the Agricultural Tenancy Act,
 MACAPAGAL AND LAND REFORM

• On 1961, Diosdado Macapagal, candidate of the Liberal Party for president, won the election
because Garcia's administration couldn't solve the problems of rising prices and graft and
corruption.
• Macapagal's presidency was known for two things: (A)the Land Reform Code (B) the change
of Independence Day celebration from July 4 to June 12.
• He declared twelve towns in Central Luzon as land reform areas to implement his
"Agricultural Land Reform Code".
• From July 4, he moved to June 12 the proclamation of Philippine Independence that was once
proclaimed by Aguinaldo on 1898 because the one proclaimed on July 4 was made by a US
President not a Filipino-President.
• July 4 was changed into Philippine-American Friendship and Republic Day
 THE ELECTION OF MARCOS

• Ferdinand Marcos left the Liberal Party

• Marcos won the 1965 election for President
• Marcos secured income from taxes and foreign loans through the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund.
• He embraced on an unprecedented infrastruction program and tried to increase
'agricultural production of the country.
• He intensified the counter surgency drive against the renewed Communist party by Jose
Maria Sison and the NPA (New People's Army).
• Cold war existed on the context for world supremacy between the United States and the
foreign Union.