Greatest Contribution of The third Republic of the Philippine Presidents Manuel A.

Roxas
First presidentf the Republic of the Philippines. A lawyer, he began his political career in 1917.
An advocate for Philippine independence from the U.S., he was a member of the convention
that drew up a constitution under the revised Philippine Independence and Commonwealth Act
(Tydings-McDuffie Act; 1934). He collaborated with the pro-Japanese administration during
World War II but was defended in postwar trials by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He became
president of the Philippines when independence was achieved (1946). Roxas obtained
rehabilitation funds from the U.S. but was forced to allow the U.S. to maintain military bases and
make other major concessions. His government was marred by corruption and police brutality,
setting the stage for the Hukbalahap Rebellion. Elpidio Quirino
His six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general economic
gains, and increased economic aid from the United States. Basic social problems, however,
particularly in the rural areas, remained unsolved, and his administration was tainted by
widespread graft and corruption. Ramon Magsaysay
As president, he was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman
against communism during the Cold War. He led the foundation of the Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization also known as the Manila Pact of 1954, that aimed to defend South East Asia,
South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific from communism. He was also known for his integrity
and strength of character. During his term, he made Malacang Palace literally a "house of the
people", opening its gates to the public. Carlos Garcia
During his administration, he acted on the BohlenSerrano Agreement which shortened the
lease of the US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it renewable after every five years.
He also exercised the Filipino First Policy, for which he was known. This policy heavily...
Independent Philippines and the Third Republic (1946-1972)
In April 1946, elections were held. Despite the fact that the Democratic Alliance won
the election, they were not allowed to take their seats under the pretext that force
had been used to manipulate the elections. The United States withdrew
its sovereignty over the Philippines on July 4, 1946, as scheduled.
Manuel Roxas (Liberal Party), having been inaugurated as President as scheduled,
on July 4, 1946 before the granting of independence, strengthened political and
economic ties with the United States in the controversial Philippine-US Trade Act, In
Mar., 1947, the Philippines and the United States signed a military assistance pact
(since renewed) which allowed the US to participate equally in the exploitation of
the country's natural resourcesand rented sites for 23 military bases to the US for
99 years (a later agreement reduced the period to 25 years beginning 1967). These
bases would later be used to launch operations in the areas of Korea, China,
Vietnam, and Indonesia.
During the Roxas administration, a general amnesty was granted for those who had
worked together with the Japanese while at the same time the Huks were declared
illegal. His administration ended prematurely when he died of heart attack April 15,
1948 while at the US Air Force Base in Pampanga.

Vice President Elpidio Quirino (Liberal Party, henceforth referred to as LP) was sworn
in as President after the death of Roxas in April 1948. He ran for election in
November 1949 against Jose P. Laurel (Nacionalista Party, henceforth referred to as
NP) and won his own four-year term.
During this time, the CIA under the leadership of Lt. Col. Edward G. Lansdale was
engaged in paramilitary and psychological warfare operations with the goal to hold
back the Huk Movement. Among the measures which were undertaken were
psyops-campaigns which demoralized the superstition of many Filipinos and acts of
violence by government soldiers which were disguised as Huks. By 1950, the U.S.
had provided the Philippine military with supplies and equipment worth $200 million
dollars.
The huge task of reconstructing the war-torn country was complicated by the
activities in central Luzon of the Communist-dominated Hukbalahap guerrillas
(Huks), who resorted to terror and violence in their efforts to attain land reform and
gain political power. They were finally brought under control (1954) after a dynamic
attack introduced by the minister of national defense, Ramn Magsaysay. By that
time Magsaysay was president of the country, having defeated Quirino in Nov.,
1953. His campaign was massively supported by the CIA, both financially and
through practical help in discrediting his political enemies. He had promised
sweeping economic changes, and he did make progress in land reform, opening new
settlements outside crowded Luzon Island. His death in an airplane crash in Mar.,
1957, was a serious blow to national morale.Vice President Carlos P. Garca
succeeded him and won a full term as president in the elections of Nov., 1957.
In foreign affairs, the Philippines preserved a firm anti-Communist policy and joined
the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in 1954. There were difficulties with the
UnitedStates over American military installations in the islands, and, in spite of
formal recognition (1956) of full Philippine sovereignty over these bases, tensions
increased until some of the bases were dismantled (1959) and the 99-year lease
period was reduced. The United States rejected Philippine financial claims and
projected trade revisions.
Philippine opposition to Garca on issues of government corruption and antiAmericanism led, in June, 1959, to the union of the Liberal and Progressive parties,
led by Vice President Diosdado Macapagal, the Liberal party leader, who succeeded
Garca as president in the 1961 elections. Macapagals administration was marked
by efforts to combat the mounting rise that had plagued the republic since its birth;
by attempted alliances with neighboring countries; and by a territorial argument
with Britain over North Borneo (later Sabah), which Macapagal claimed had been
leased and not sold to the British North Borneo Company in 1878.