Manuel Roxas
Manuel Acuna Roxas (January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was a Filipino politician. He was the President of the Philippine Commonwealth (1946) and the first President of the Third Philippine Republic (1946 - 1948). He was a Minister of the Philippine Commonwealth, Secretary of Finance (1938 – 1941) and Executive Secretary of Third Philippine Republic (1942). The Philippine Commonwealth was abolished after he was elected as President of the Third Philippine Republic.
Manuel A. Roxas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 5th President of the Philippines (1st President of the Third Philippine Republic) | |
| In office May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948 | |
| Vice President | Elpidio Quirino |
| Preceded by | Sergio Osmeña |
| Succeeded by | Elpidio Quirino |
| 2nd President of the Senate of the Philippines | |
| In office July 9, 1945 – May 25, 1946 | |
| President | Sergio Osmeña |
| Preceded by | Manuel L. Quezon |
| Succeeded by | José Avelino |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office July 9, 1945 – May 25, 1946 | |
| Secretary of Finance | |
| In office August 21, 1941 – December 29, 1941 | |
| President | Manuel L. Quezon |
| Preceded by | Antonio de las Alas |
| Succeeded by | Serafin Marabut |
| 2nd Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1922–1933 | |
| Preceded by | Sergio Osmeña |
| Succeeded by | Quintin Paredes |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Capiz' 1st District | |
| In office 1921–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Habana |
| Succeeded by | Ramon A. Arnaldo |
| Governor of Capiz | |
| In office 1919–1921 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manuel Roxas y Acuña January 1, 1892 Capiz (now Roxas City), Capiz Province, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | April 15, 1948 (aged 56) Clark Air Base, Philippines |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Resting place | Manila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Other political affiliations | Nacionalista (before 1945) |
| Spouse(s) | Trinidad de Leon (m. 1921) |
| Children | Gerardo Manuel Roxas Ruby Róxas |
| Alma mater | University of Manila University of the Philippines College of Law |
| Profession | Lawyer, Soldier |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | Manuel |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Commonwealth Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Japanese Occupation of the Philippines (1942 – 1945) * Philippines Campaign (1944 – 1945) |
Early life and career
Roxas was born in January 1892. After studying as a lawyer at the University of the Philippines, he started his career as a secretary to Judge Cayetano Arellano. He began his political career as councilor at Capiz, later on becoming governor in the province. He also became a speaker at congress. During this time, Roxas became co-chairman of the OsRox mission together with Sergio Osmeña and achieved the Hare Hawes Cutting Independence Act of 1933.[1] This act promised to grant Philippine independence after 10 years but because of threats on imposed tariffs, especially in agriculture, it was highly debated on American and Filipino congress. In the end, it was decided that Philippine independence is only possible if the Philippines accept to keep U.S. military bases, a decision rejected by the Philippine Congress.
Presidency
Because of World War II, the Philippines had a difficult time rehabilitating its economy. After he was elected president, Roxas established the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, which helped many Filipinos who lost their homes, and created the Central Bank of the Philippines, which funded the lack of food supply in the country. He also requested help from the United States under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and the Tydings Rehabilitation Act. This was used in turn to fix damaged roads, bridges, and buildings.[1]
In consequence for receiving rehabilitation funds from the U.S., Roxas was forced to accept the preconditioned Philippine Trade Act or Bell Trade Act of 1946. He was also forced to sign the Military Bases Agreement which proposed to keep 23 military bases of the United States under 99 years inside the country.[1]
Despite his efforts of rehabilitation, the Roxas administration was known for its corruption, rise of unemployment,[1] and failure of land policies that led to the outbreak of the Hukbalahap rebellion.[2]
Death
His presidency ended when he died on April 15,1948 while delivering a speech at the Clark Air Force Base because of a heart attack. His vice president, Elpidio Quirino, became president.[3]
Manuel Roxas Media
House Speaker Roxas in 1923
Roxas's former diplomatic residence in Washington, D.C.
The first seal of the president of the Philippines has no ring of stars, a dark blue background, an English text of the "Seal of the President of the Philippines" before it was translated into Filipino.
President Manuel Roxas Official Portrait in Malacañang Palace
Short American newsreel of Philippine independence ceremonies on July 4, 1946, with brief footage of Roxas taking the oath of office as president.
Roxas taking the oath as the first president of the Third Republic on July 4, 1946, at the Independence Grandstand (now Quirino Grandstand), Manila.
One of the last pictures of President Manuel Roxas.
Historical marker on the death place of Roxas
Elpidio Quirino during the wake in Malacañang Palace
Tomb of Manuel Roxas in Manila North Cemetery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mactal, Dr. Rolando (2013). Historia: Batayang Aklat sa Araling Panlipunan. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. pp. 335–339. ISBN 978-971-06-3272-5.
- ↑ "Manuel Roxas | president of Philippines | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
- ↑ Zafra, Nicolas (1972). Maikling Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Quezon City, Philippines: Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. pp. 174–175.
Other websites
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Wikisource has original writing related to this article: |
- The Philippine Presidency Project Archived 2020-02-26 at the Wayback Machine
- A Country Study: Philippines
- Manuel A. Roxas Elementary School Archived 2019-12-03 at the Wayback Machine