MANUEL A. ROXAS

JANUARY 1,1892 – APRIL 15, 1948

5th President of the Philippines

3rd President of the Commonwealth

1st president of the Third Republic

Political career

Roxas occupied more important positions in the Philippine government than any other Filipino had ever held before him.Starting in 1917 he was a member of the municipal council of Capiz. He became the youngest governor of his province and served in this capacity from 1919 to 1922.

He was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives in 1922, and for twelve consecutive years was Speaker of the House. He was member of the Constitutional Convention 1934 to 1935, Secretary of Finance, Chairman of the National Economic Council, Chairman of the National Development Company and many other government corporations and agencies, Brigadier General in the USAFFE, and Guerilla leader.

Last President of the CommonwealthRoxas served as the President of the

Commonwealth of the Philippines in a brief period, from May 28, 1946 to July 4, 1946 during which time Roxas helped prepared the groundwork for an independent Philippines.

On May 28, 1946, Roxas was inaugurated as the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The inaugural ceremonies were held in the ruins of the Legislative Building (now part of the National Museum of the Philippines) and were witnessed by about 200,000 people.[

citation needed] In his address, he outlined the main policies of his administration, mainly: closer ties with the United States; adherence to the newly created United Nations; national reconstruction; relief for the masses; social justice for the working class; the maintenance of peace and order; the preservation of individual rights and liberties of the citizenry; and honesty and efficiency of government.

On June 3, 1946, Roxas appeared for the first time before a joint session of Congress to deliver his first State of the Nation Address. Among other things, he told the members of the Congress the grave problems and difficulties the Philippines face and reported on his special trip to the United States to discuss the approval for independence.

On June 21, he reappeared in front of another joint session of the Congress and urged the acceptance of two laws passed by the Congress of the United States on April 30, 1946—the Tydings–McDuffie Act, of Philippine Rehabilitation Act, and the Bell Trade Act or Philippine Trade Act] Both recommendations were accepted by the Congress.

First President of the Third Republic (1946–1948)

Manuel Roxas' term as the President of the Commonwealth ended on the morning of July 4, 1946,

when the Third Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated and independence from the United States proclaimed. The occasion, attended by some 300,000 people, was marked by the simultaneous lowering of the Stars and Stripes and raising of the National Flag, a 21-gun salute, and the pealing of church bells. Roxas then swore the Oath of Office as the first President of the new Republic.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT (1946-1948) When Manuel Roxas started his

term as the first president of the third republic, he was left with the post-war state of Philippines. Production decreased, education diminished, unemployment rate increased, interference from America heightened, and the HUKBALAHAP movement intensified. Since this was the state of the country, his inauguration speech centralized on the rehabilitation of the country. In exchange for 800 million dollars of rehabilitation money, the Bell Trade Act or the Philippine Trade Act was signed. Along with that policy, others like the General Amnesty and Military Bases Agreement was implemented.

Most policies were manipulated by American government officials who made the policies more beneficial to the American citizens. Issues like the Bell Trade Act were highly criticized by people because it allowed Americans to exploit the Philippine’s natural resources. The countrymen felt bought because that right should have been exclusive to Filipino citizens. The Military Bases Agreement further angered the people because it allowed the American military to have their leased bases in the Philippines till year 2045. Roxas had a hard time managing people who did not agree with his policies. People attempted to murder him, but fortunately for him, he was able to escape death.

Death

Roxas did not finish his full four-year term. On the morning of April 15, 1948 Roxas delivered a speech before the United States Thirteenth Air Force. After the speech, he felt dizzy and was brought to the residence of Major General E.L. Eubank at Clark Field, Pampanga. He died later that night of a heart attack.[11][12] Roxas' term as President is thus the third shortest, lasting one year, ten months, and 18 days.

On April 17, 1948, two days after Roxas' death, Vice-President Elpidio Quirino took the oath of office as President of the Philippines.

Legacy

Philippine 100 peso bill In his honour Roxas,

Capiz and Roxas, Isabela were named after him. Dewey Boulevard in the City of Manila was renamed in his memory, and he is currently depicted on the 100 Philippine peso bill.