Policies and Programs of

Philippine Presidents
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Sergio Osmena
Manuel Roxas
Elpidio Quirino
Ramon Magsaysay
Carlos. Garcia
Diosdado P. Macapagal
Reporter:
Villaceran, Ruth Klaribelle
C.

Sergio Osmena
Second

President of the
Commonwealth
Term: August 1, 1944- May
27, 1946
Filipino statesman,
founder of the Nationalist
Party (Partido
Nacionalista) and
President of the
Philippines from 1944 to
1946.

Manuel Acua Roxas

Last

President of the
Commonwealth
Term: May 28, 1946- July 4,
1946
First President of the Third
Republic of the Philippines
Term: July 4, 1946- April 15,
1948
Political leader and first
president of the independence
republic of the Philippines.

Elpidio Quirino
Second

President, Third
Republic of the
Philippines
Term: April 17, 1948November 10, 1953
Political leader and
second president of the
Independence Republic
of the Philippines.

Ramon del Fierro

Magsaysay
Third

President of the Third

Republic of the Philippines
Term: December 30, 1953March 17, 1957
Best known for
successfully defeating the
communist led Hukbalahap
(Huk) Movement. Idol of
the masses, champion of
democracy, and freedom
fighter.

Carlos Polestico Garcia

Fourth

President of the Third

Republic of the Philippines
Term: March 18, 1957December 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.

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."

Personal Details
Name

Place of
Origin

Date of
Birth

Date of
Death

Alma
Mater

Professio
n

Spouse(s
)

Religion

Age
Elected
as
Presiden
t

Sergio
Osmena

Cebu City

Septembe
r 9, 1878

October
19, 1961

University
of San
Carlos
San Juan
de Letran
College
University
of Santo
Tomas

Lawyer

Estefania
Veloso
Esperanz
a Limjap

Roman
Catholic

65 years
old

Manuel
Roxas

Roxas,
Capiz

January 1,
1892

April 15,
1948

Universit
y of
Manila
Universit
y of the
Philippine
s
College of
Law

Lawyer

Trinidad
de Leon

Roman
Catholic

54 years
old

Elpidio

Vigan

November

February

Universit

Lawyer

Alicia

Roman

58 years

Personal Details
Name

Place of
Origin

Date of
Birth

Date of
Death

Alma
Mater

Professio
n

Spouse(s
)

Religion

Age
Elected
as
Presiden
t

Ramon
Magsaysa
y

Iba,
Zambales

August
31, 1907

March 17,
1957

Jose Rizal
University

Engineer

Luz
Banzon

Roman
Catholic

46 years
old

Carlos P.
Garcia

Talibon,
Bohol

November
4, 1896

June 14,
1971

Siliman
University
Philippine
Law
School

Teacher
Lawyer
Poet
Political
Economist
Guerilla
Leader

Leonila
Dimataga

Roman
Catholic

61 years
old

Diosdado
P.
Macapag
al

Lubao,
Pampanga

Septembe
r 28, 1910

April 21,
1997

Universit
y of the
Philippine
s
Universit
y of Santo
Tomas

Lawyer
Professor

Purita
Dela Rosa
Evita
Macaraeg

Roman
Catholic

51 years
old

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Sergio Osmena
Governor of Cebu
1904- October 16 1907
Member of thePhilippine House of
RepresentativesfromCebu's2ndDistrict
October 16 1907-1922
2ndSenate President pro tempore of the Philippines
1922-1934
Senator of the Philippinesfrom the10th Senatorial District
1922 15 November 1935
1stSpeaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
October 16 1907-1922
Secretary of Public Instruction
1935-1940
Secretary of Public Instruction, Health, and Public Welfare

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Manuel Roxas
Governor of Capiz
19191921
2nd Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
19221933
19211938
Secretary of Finance
August 21, 1941 December 29, 1941
Senator of the Philippines
July 9, 1945 May 25, 1946
2nd President of the Senate of the Philippines
July 9, 1945 May 25, 1946
5th President of the Philippines
3rd President of the Commonwealth

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Elpidio Quirino
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Ilocos
Sur's 1st District
Assumed office
1919
Senator of the Philippines from the First Senatorial District
19251925
Senator of the Philippines
July 9, 1945 May 28, 1946
4th President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
July 9, 1945 May 28, 1946
Secretary of Interior
19351938
Secretary of Finance
July 25, 1934 February 18, 1936

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Ramon Magsaysay
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from
Zambales' Lone District
28 May 1946 1 September 1950
Secretary of National Defense
1 September 1950 28 February 1953
1 January 1954 14 May 1954
7th President of the Philippines
3rd President of the Third Republic
30 December 1953 17 March 1957

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Carlos P. Garcia
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Bohol's
Third District
19251931
Governor of Bohol
December 30, 1933 December 30, 1941
Senator of the Philippines
May 25, 1946 December 30, 1953
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
December 30, 1953 March 17, 1957
5th Vice President of the Philippines
December 30, 1953 March 17, 1957
1st President of the 1971 Philippine Constitutional Convention
June 1, 1971 June 14, 1971
8th President of the Philippines

Positions Held Before Presidency:

Diosdado Macapagal
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from
Pampanga's First District
December 30, 1949 December 30, 1957
6th Vice President of the Philippines
December 30, 1957 December 30, 1961
2nd President of the 1971 Philippine Constitutional Convention
June 14, 1971 January 17, 1973
9th President of the Philippines
5th President of the Third Republic
December 30, 1961 December 30, 1965

Osmenas Presidency
Osmea

became president of the Commonwealth on Quezon's

death in 1944. He returned to the Philippines the same year
with General Douglas MacArthurand the liberation forces.
After the war, Osmea restored the Commonwealth
government and the various executive departments. He
continued the fight for Philippine independence.

For

the presidential election of 1946, Osmea refused to

campaign, saying that the Filipino people knew of his record of
40 years of honest and faithful service. He lost toManuel
Roxas, who won 54 percent of the vote and became president
of the independent Republic of the Philippines

Domestic Policies
Restoration

of the Commonwealth

With the city ofManilaalready liberated,General of the

Army,Douglas MacArthur, on behalf of the United States,

turned over the reins of government of the Philippines to
Commonwealth President, Sergio Osmea, on 27
February 1945, amidst brief, but impressive, ceremonies
held at theMalacaan Palace. President Osmea, after
thanking the United States through General MacArthur,
announced the restoration of the Government of
theCommonwealth of the Philippinesand work out the
salvation of the Philippines from the ravages of war.

Domestic Policies
Government

reorganization

PresidentOsmeaproceeded with the immediate reorganization of the

government and its diverse dependencies.

On 8 April 1945, he formed his Cabinet, administering the oath of office to its
component members. Later, President Osmea received the Council of State
to help him solve the major problems confronting the nation. Government
offices and bureaus were gradually reestablished. A number of new ones
were created to meet needs then current. Also restored were theSupreme
Court of the Philippines and the inferior courts. TheCourt of Appealswas
abolished and its appellate jurisdiction was transferred to the Supreme Court,
the members of which were increased to eleven oneChief Justiceand
tenAssociate Justice in order to attend to the new responsibilities. Slowly
but steadily, as the liberating forces freed the other portions of the country,
provincial and municipal governments were established by the
Commonwealth to take over from the military authorities.

Domestic Policies
Rehabilitation

of the Philippine National Bank

Following the restoration of the Commonwealth Government, the

Congress was reorganized.Manuel RoxasandElpidio Quirinowere

electedSenate PresidentandSenate President pro
temporerespectively. At the House of Representatives,Jose
ZuluetaofIloilowas electedSpeakerand Prospero Sanidad as Speaker
pro tempore. The opening session of the Congress was personally
addressed by President Osmea, who reported on the Commonwealth
Government in exile and proposed vital pieces of legislation.
The First Commonwealth Congress earnestly took up the various
pending assignments to solve the pressing matters affecting the
Philippines, especially in regard to relief, rehabilitation, and
reconstruction. The first bill enacted was Commonwealth Act No. 672
rehabilitating the Philippine National Bank.

Domestic Policies
People's

court

Yielding to American pressure, on 25 September

1945, the Congress enacted C.A. No. 682 creating

the People's Court and the Office of Special
Prosecutors to deal with the pending cases of
"collaboration"

Foreign Policies
United

Nations Charter

President Osmea sent the Philippine delegation, which was

headed byCarlos P. Romulo, to the San Francisco gathering

for the promulgation of theCharter of the United Nationson
26 June 1945.
Other members of the delegation were Maximo Kalaw,Carlos P. Garcia,
Pedro Lopez, Francisco Delegado, Urbano Zafra, Alejandro Melchor,
and Vicente Sinco.

The 28th signatory nation of the United Nations, the

Philippines was one of the fifty-one nations that drafted the

UN Charter. Once approved by Philippine delegation, the UN
Charter was ratified by the Congress of the Philippines and
deposited with the U.S State Department on 11 October 1945.

Foreign Policies
Foreign

Relations Office

To prepare for the forthcoming independent status of the

Philippine, President Osmea created the Office of Foreign

Relations.
Vicente Sinco was appointed as its first Commissioner, with cabinet
rank.

In this connection, President Osmea also entered into an

agreement with theUnited States Governmentto send five

Filipino trainees to the U.S. State Department to prepare
themselves for diplomatic service.
They were sent by U.S. State Department to the United States
embassies in Moscow andMexico Cityand consulates
inSaigonandSingapore.

Foreign Policies
International

banking

On 5 December 1945, President Osmea appointed

Resident CommissionerCarlos P. Romuloas his

representative to accept Philippine membership in
theInternational Monetary Fundand in the
International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, which bodies had been conceived in
the Bretton Woods Agreement, in which the
Philippine had also taken part. Romulo signed said
membership on 27 December 1945 on behalf of the
Philippines.

Foreign Policies
Bell

Trade Act

On 30 April 1946, theUnited States Congress, at last approved

theBell Act, which as early as 20 January had been reported to the

Ways and Means Committee of the lower house, having been already
passed by the Senate. President Osmea and Resident Commissioner
Ramulo had urged the passage of this bill, with United States High
Commissioner,Paul V. McNutt, exerting similar pressure.
The Act gave thePhilippineseight years of free trade with the United
States, then twenty years during whichtariffswould be upped
gradually until they were in line with the rest of the American tariff
policy. The law also fixed some quotas for certain products: sugar
850,000 long tons;cordage 6,000,000 pounds;coconut oil 200,000
long tons; cigars 200,000,000 pounds.

Foreign Policies
Bell

Trade Act

The great aid this legislation meant for

thePhilippineswas coupled with that to be obtained from

the recently passed Tydings Damage bill, which provided
some nine hundred million dollars for payment of war
damages, of which one million had been earmarked to
compensate for church losses. The sum of two hundred
and forty million dollars was to be periodically allocated
by the United States President as a manifestation of good
will to theFilipinopeople. Additionally, sixty million pieces
of surplus property were also transferred to thePhilippine
Government.

Roxas Presidency
Roxas

served as the President of the Commonwealth of

the Philippines in a brief period, from his subsequent
election on May 28, 1946 to July 4, 1946, the scheduled
date of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Roxas prepared the groundwork for the advent of a free
and independent Philippines, assisted by theCongress.
OnJune 3, 1946, Roxas appeared for the first time before

thejoint sessionof the Congress to deliver his firststate of

the nation address. Among other things, he told the
members of the Congress the grave problems and difficulties
the Philippines are set to face and reports of his special trip
to the United Statesthe approval for independence.

Domestic Policies
Economy

Among the main remedies proposed was the establishment of

the Philippine Rehabilitation Finance Corporation. This entity

would be responsible for the construction of twelve thousand
houses and for the grant of easy-term loans in the amount of
177,000,000 pesos. Another proposal was the creation of
theCentral Bank of the Philippinesto help stabilize the Philippine
dollar reserves and coordinate and the nations banking activities
gearing them to the economic progress.
Concentrating on the sugar industry, President Roxas would
exert such efforts as to succeed in increasing production from
13,000 tons at the time of the Philippine liberation to an all-high
of one million tons.

Domestic Policies
Reconstruction

after the war

ThepostwarPhilippines had burned cities and towns,

ruined farms and factories, blasted roads and bridges,

shattered industries and commerce, and thousands of
massacred victims. The war had paralyzed the
educational system, where 80% of the school buildings,
their equipments, laboratories and furniture were
destroyed. Numberless books, invaluable documents and
works of art, irreplaceable historical relics and
familyheirlooms, hundreds of churches and temples
were burned. The reconstruction of the damaged school
buildings alone cost more thanPhp126,000,000.

Domestic Policies
Reconstruction

after the war

The new Republic began to function on an annual

deficit of over Php 200,000,000 with little prospect of

a balanced budget for some years to
come.Manilaand other cities then were infested with
criminal gangs which used techniques of
Americangangstersin some activities
bankholdups,kidnappingandburglaries. In rural
regions, especially the provinces ofCentral Luzonand
theSouthern Tagalog regions, theHukbalahapsand
brigands terrorized towns andbarrios.

Domestic Policies
Agrarian

reform

In 1946, shortly after his induction to Presidency,

Manuel Roxas proclaimed the Rice Share Tenancy Act

of 1933 effective throughout the country.However
problems ofland tenurecontinued. In fact these
became worse in certain areas.Among the remedial
measures enacted was Republic Act No. 1946
likewise known as the Tenant Act which provided for
a 7030 sharing arrangements and regulated sharetenancy contracts.It was passed to resolve the
ongoing peasant unrest in Central Luzon.

Domestic Policies
Amnesty

proclamation

President Roxas, on January 28, 1948, granted full amnesty

to all so-called Philippine collaborators, many of whom were

on trial or awaiting to be tried, particularly former
PresidentJose P. Laurel(19431945).The Amnesty
Proclamation did not apply to those "collaborators", who
were charged with the commission of common crimes, such
as murder, rape, and arson. The presidential decision did
much to heal a standing wound that somehow threatened
to divide the people's sentiments. It was a much-called for
measure to bring about a closer unity in the trying times
when such was most needed for the progress of the nation.

Domestic Policies
HUKS

outlawed

Utterly disgusted with the crimes being committed

byHUKBALAHAPor HUKS and in possession of the

incontrovertible evidence of the subversive character of
the same, President Roxas, on March 6, 1948, in a
dramatic gesture, issued a Proclamation outlawing Huks'
movement, making it a crime to belong to the same.The
declaration was hailed by all responsible and peaceloving elements. The same had become imperative in
view of the resurgence of Huk depredations, following the
unseating of the seven Communists, led by Huk
SupremoLuis Taructhrough acts of terrorism.

Foreign Policies
Treaty

of General Relations

On August 5, 1946, theCongress of the Philippinesratified the

Treaty of General Relations that had been entered into by and

between theRepublic of the Philippinesand the United States
on July 4, 1946.Aside from withdrawing her sovereignty from
the Philippines and recognizing her independence, the Treaty
reserved for the United States some bases for the mutual
protection of both countries; consented that the United States
represent the Philippines in countries where the latter had not
yet established diplomatic representation; made the
Philippines assume all debts and obligations of the former
government in the Philippines; and provided for the settlement
of property rights of the citizens of both countries.

Foreign Policies
United

States Military Bases

Although Roxas was successful in getting

rehabilitation funds from the United States after

independence, he was forced to concede military
bases (23 of which were leased for 99 years),
trade restriction for the Philippine citizens, and
special privileges for U.S. property owner and
investor.

Foreign Policies
Parity

Rights Amendment

On March 11, 1947, the Filipino people, heeding

Roxas' persuasive harangue, ratified in a nationwide

plebiscite the "parity amendment" to the1935
Constitution, granting United States citizens the right
to dispose and utilize of Philippine natural resources,
or through parity rights.
The night before the plebiscite day, Roxas narrowly escaped
an assassination by a disgruntledTondobarber, Julio Guillen,
who hurled agrenadeon the platform atPlaza
Mirandaimmediately after the President addressed the rally
of citizens.

Quirinos Presidency
Elpidio

Quirino's 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.

Domestic Policies
Economy
Upon assuming the reins of government, Quirino announced

two main objectives of his administration: first, the economic

reconstruction of the nation and second, the restoration of
the faith and confidence of the people in the government.
In connection to the first agenda, he created the President's Action
Committee on Social Amelioration or PACSA to mitigate the sufferings
of indigent families, the Labor Management Advisory Board to advise
him on labor matters, the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing
Administration or ACCFA to help the farmers market their crops and
save them from loan sharks, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines to
facilitate credit utilities in rural areas.

Domestic Policies
Social

Program

Enhancing PresidentManuel Roxas' policy of social

justice to alleviate the lot of the common mass,

President Quirino, almost immediately after
assuming office, started a series of steps calculated
to effectively ameliorate the economic condition of
the people. After periodic surprise visits to
theslumsofManilaand other backward regions of
the country, President Quirino officially made public
a seven-point program for social security, o wit:

Domestic Policies
Social

Program

Unemployment insurance
Old-age insurance
Accident and permanent disability insurance
Health insurance
Maternity insurance
State relief
Labor opportunity

Domestic Policies
Social

Program

President Quirino also created the Social Security

Commission, making Social Welfare

Commissioner Asuncion Perez chairman of the
same.This was followed by the creation of the
President's Action Committee on Social
Amelioration, charges with extending aid, loans,
and relief to the less fortunate citizens. Both the
policy and its implementation were hailed by the
people as harbingers of great benefits.

Domestic Policies
Agrarian

Reform

As part of his Agrarian Reform agenda, President

Quirino issued on October 23, 1950 Executive

Order No. 355 which replaced the National Land
Settlement Administration with Land Settlement
Development Corporation (LASEDECO) which
takes over the responsibilities of the Agricultural
Machinery Equipment Corporation and the Rice
and Corn Production Administration.

Domestic Policies
Integrity

Board

To cope with the insistent clamor for government

improvement, President Quirino created the

Integrity Board to probe into reports of graft and
corruption in high government places. VicePresidentFernando Lopezwas most instrumental,
through his courageous exposes, in securing such
a decision from President Quirino.

Foreign Policies
Quirino's

administration excelled in diplomacy,

impressing foreign heads of states and world statesmen
by his intelligence and culture. In his official travels to
the United States, European countries, and Southeast
Asia, he represented the Philippines with flying colors.
During his six years of administration, he was able to
negotiate treaties and agreements with other nations of
theFree World. Two Asian heads of state visited
PhilippinesPresidentChiang Kai-shekof the Republic of
Chinain July 1949 and PresidentAchmed
SukarnoofIndonesiain January 1951.

Foreign Policies
In

1950, at the onset of theKorean War,

Quirino authorized the deployment of over
7,450 Filipino soldiers to Korea, under the
designation of thePhilippine Expeditionary
Forces to Korea or PEFTOK.

Foreign Policies
Korean

War

On June 25, 1950, the world was astonished to hear theNorth

Koreanaggression against the independentSouth Korea. The

United Nations immediately took up this challenge to the security
of this part of the world.Carlos P. Romulosoon stood out as the
most effective spokesman for the South Korean cause.
On behalf of our government, Romulo offered to send a Philippine
military contingent to be under the overall command of
GeneralDouglas MacArthur, who had been named United
Nations Supreme Commander for the punitive expedition. The
Philippines, thus, became the first country to join the United
States in the offer of military assistance to beleaguered South
Korea.

Foreign Policies
Korean

War

President Quirino took the necessary steps to make the

Philippine offer. On a purely voluntary basis, the first contingent

the tenth Combat Battalion Team was formed under Col.
Azurin, and dispatched to Korea, where its members quickly
won much renown for their military skill and bravery. The name
of Captain Jose Artiaga, Jr., heroically killed in action, stands out
as a symbol of our country's contribution to the cause of
freedom outside native shores. Other Philippine Combat Teams
successively replaced the first contingent sent, and they all
built a name for discipline, tenacity, and courage, until the
truce that brought the conflict to a halt.

Foreign Policies
Quirino-Foster

Agreement

By the time of the creation of the integrity board,

moreover, the Bell Mission, led by Daniel W. Bell,

an American banker, and composed of five
members, with a staff of twenty workers,
following their period of stay in thePhilippines,
beginning in July 1950, finally submitted its report
on October of the same year.

Foreign Policies
Quirino-Foster

Agreement

The Report made several proposals, most noteworthy, of which were that

the United States should give the Philippines 250,000,000 dollars over a
period of five years, but the Philippines, in return, ought to reform its tax
structure, enact a minimum wage law for agricultural and industrial labor,
initiate social and land reforms, as well as a sound planning for economic
development, For all the strong language of the Report, which, in some
quarters merited bitter opposition, President Quirino gamely and
patriotically, took in the recommendations and sought to implement
them.
Thus in November 1950, President Quirino and William Foster,
representing theUnited States Government, signed an agreement by
virtue of which the former pledged to obtain the necessary Philippine
legislation, in keeping with the Bell Mission Report, while envoy Foster
promised the necessary by the same Report.

Foreign Policies
Quirino-Foster

Agreement

Thus in November 1950, President Quirino and

William Foster, representing theUnited States

Government, signed an agreement by virtue of
which the former pledged to obtain the necessary
Philippine legislation, in keeping with the Bell
Mission Report, while envoy Foster promised the
necessary by the same Report.

Foreign Policies
However,

much as he tried to become a good president,

Quirino failed to win the people's affection. Several factors
caused the unpopularity of his administration, namely:
Unabated rampage ofgraft and corruptionin his government, as

revealed in theTambobong-Buenavista scandal, theImport Control

Anomalies, theCaledonia Pile Messand theTextbook Racket;
Wasteful spending of the people's money in extravagant junkets
abroad;
Failure of government to check theHukmenace which made travel
in the provinces unsafe, as evidenced by the killing of formerFirst
LadyAurora Quezonand her companions on April 28, 1949 by the
Huks on the Bongabong-Baler road, Baler, Tayabas (now part
ofAurora province).

Foreign Policies
However,

much as he tried to become a good

president, Quirino failed to win the people's
affection. Several factors caused the unpopularity
of his administration, namely:
Economic distress of the times, aggravated by rising

unemployment rate, soaring prices of commodities, and

unfavorable balance of trade. Quirino's vaunted "Total
Economic Mobilization Policy" failed to give economic
relief to the suffering nation.
Frauds and terrorism committed by theLiberal
Partymoguls in the1947,1949and1951 elections.

Magsaysays Presidency
In

the Election of 1953, Magsaysay was decisively elected

president over the incumbent Elpidio Quirino. He was
sworn into office wearing the Barong Tagalog, a first by a
Philippine president. He was then called "Mambo
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 defeat communistMarxist movements in South East Asia, South Asia and the
Southwestern Pacific.

Magsaysays Presidency
During

his term, he made Malacaang literally a "house of the people",

opening its gates to the public.
One example of his integrity followed a demonstration flight aboard a new
plane belonging to the Philippine Air Force (PAF): President Magsaysay asked
what the operating costs per hour were for that type of aircraft, then wrote a
personal check to the PAF, covering the cost of his flight.
In history, he is the first Philippine president to wear a barong tagalog in his
inauguration. He brought back the people's trust to the military and to the
government.
His administration was considered one of the cleanest and most corruptionfree; his presidency was cited as the Philippines' Golden Years. Trade and
industry flourished, the Philippine military was at its prime, and the Filipino
people were given international recognition in sports, culture and foreign
affairs. The Philippines ranked second in Asia's clean and well-governed
countries.

Domestic Policies

President's Action Body

Ushering, indeed, a new era in Philippine government, President

Magsaysay placed emphasis upon service to the people by bringing

the government closer to the former.This was symbollically seen
when, on inauguration day, President Magsaysay ordered the gates of
Malacaan Palace open to all and sundry, who were allowed to freely
visit all the dependencies of the presidential mansion. Later, this was
regulated to allow weekly visit.

Domestic Policies

President's Action Body

True to his electoral promise, President Magsaysay created the

Presidential Complaints and Action Committee. This body immediately

proceeded to hear grievances and recommend remedial action.

Headed by soft-spoken, but active and tireless, Manuel Manahan, this committee
would come to hear nearly sixty thousand complaints in a year, of which more than
thirty thousand would be settled by direct action and a little more than twenty five
thousand, referred to government agencies for appropriate follow-up.

This new entity, composed of youthful personnel, all loyal to the

President, proved to be a highly successful morale booster restoring

the people's confidence in their own government.

Domestic Policies
Agrarian

Reform

President Ramn Magsaysay enacted the following laws

as part of his Agrarian Reform Program:

Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954Abolished the LASEDECO and
established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless farmers.
It was particularly aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots
and farmlands in Palawan and Mindanao.
Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954)
governed the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers
by organizing share-tenancy and leasehold system. The law
provided the security of tenure of tenants. It also created the Court
of Agrarian Relations.

Domestic Policies
Agrarian

Reform

President Ramn Magsaysay enacted the following

laws as part of his Agrarian Reform Program:

Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955) Created
the Land Tenure Administration (LTA) which was responsible
for the acquisition and distribution of large tenanted rice and
corn lands over 200 hectares for individuals and 600
hectares for corporations.
Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit
Cooperative Financing Administration) Provided small
farmers and share tenants loans with low interest rates of six
to eight percent

Domestic Policies
HUKBALAHAP

In early 1954,Benigno Aquino, Jr.was appointed by

President Ramn Magsaysay to act as personal emissary

toLus Taruc, leader of theHukbalahap, a rebel group.
Also in 1954, Lt. Col. Laureo Maraa, the former head of Force
X of the 16th PC Company, assumed command of the 7th BCT,
which had become one of the most mobile striking forces of the
Philippine ground forces against the Huks, from Colonel
Valeriano. Force X employed psychological warfare through
combat intelligence and infiltration that relied on secrecy in
planning, training, and execution of attack. The lessons learned
from Force X and Nenita were combined in the 7th BCT.

Domestic Policies
HUKBALAHAP

With the all out anti-dissidence campaigns against the

Huks, they numbered less than 2,000 by 1954 and

without the protection and support of local supporters,
active Huk resistance no longer presented a serious
threat to Philippine security. From February to midSeptember 1954, the largest anti-Huk operation,
"Operation Thunder-Lightning" was conducted that
resulted to the surrender of Luis Taruc on May 17. Further
clean up operations of guerillas remaining lasted
throughout 1955, diminishing its number to less than
1,000 by year's end.

Foreign Policies
SEATO
The administration of President Magsaysay was active in

the fight against the expansion of communism in the

Asian region. He made the Philippines a member of the
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), which was
established in Manila on Sept. 8, 1954 during the "Manila
Conference".
Members of SEATO were alarmed at the possible victory of North
Vietnam over South Vietnam, which could spread communist
ideology to other countries in the region. The possibility that a
communist state can influence or cause other countries to adopt
the same system of government is called the domino theory.

Foreign Policies
SEATO
The active coordination of the Magsaysay

administration with the Japanese government led to

the Reparation Agreement. This was an agreement
between the two countries, obligating the Japanese
government to pay $800 million as reparation for
war damages in the Philippines.

Foreign Policies
Defense

Council

Taking the advantage of the presence of U.S. Secretary John

Foster Dulles in Manila to attend the SEATO Conference, the

Philippine government took steps to broach with him the
establishment of a Joint Defense Council. Vice-President and
Secretary of Foreign AffairsCarlos P. Garcia held the
opportune conversations with Secretary Dulles for this
purpose. Agreement was reached thereon and the first
meeting of the Joint United States-Philippines Defense
Council was held in Manila following the end of the Manila
Conference. Thus were the terms of the Mutual Defense Pact
between the Philippines and the United States duly
implemented.

Foreign Policies

Laurel- Langey Agreement

The Magsaysay administration negotiated the Laurel-Langley

Agreement which was a trade agreement between the Philippines and

the United States which was signed in 1955 and expired in 1974.
Although it proved deficient, the final agreement satisfied nearly all of
the diverse Filipino economic interests.
While some have seen the Laurel-Langley agreement as a
continuation of the 1946 trade act, Jose P. Laurel and other Philippine
leaders recognized that the agreement substantially gave the country
greater freedom to industrialize while continuing to receive privileged
access to US markets.
The agreement replaced the unpopular Bell Trade Act, which tied the economy of the
Philippines to that of United States economy.

Foreign Policies

Bandung Conference
Billed as an all Oriental meet and threatening to become a propaganda

springboard for Communism, a Conference was held in Bandung (Java) in April

1955, upon invitation extended by the Prime Ministers of India, Pakistan,
Burma, Ceylon, and Indonesia. Although, at first, the Magsaysay Government
seemed reluctant to send any delegation, later, however, upon advise of
Ambassador Carlos P. Romulo, it was decided to have the Philippines
participate in the conference. Ambassador Romulo was asked to head the
Philippine delegation.
At the very outset indications were to the effect that the conference would
promote the cause of neutralism as a third position in the current cold war
between the democratic bloc and the communist group. John Kotelawala,
Prime Minister of Ceylon, however, broke the ice against neutralism. He was
immediately joined by Philippine envoy Romulo, who categorically states that
his delegation believed that "a puppet is a puppet", no matter whether under
a Western Power or an Oriental state.

Foreign Policies

Bandung Conference
At one time in the course of the conference, Indian Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru acidly spoke against the SEATO.
Quick to draw, Ambassador Romulo delivered a stinging,
eloquent retort that prompted Prime Minister Nehru to
publicly apologize to the Philippine delegation.
Records had it that the Philippine delegation ably represented the interests of the
Philippines and, in the ultimate analysis, succeeded in turning the Bandung
Conference into a democratic victory against the plans of the Communist
delegates.

Foreign Policies

Reparations agreement
Following the reservations made by Ambassador Romulo, on

the Philippines behalf, upon signing the Japanese Peace Treaty

in San Francisco on September 8, 1951, for several years of
series of negotiations were conducted by the Philippine
government and that of Japan. In the face of adamant claims
of the Japanese government that it found impossible to meet
the demand for the payment of eight billion dollars by the way
of reparations, president Magsaysay, during a so-called
"cooling off" period, sent a Philippine Reparations Survey
Committee, headed by Finance Secretary Jaime Hernandez, to
Japan for an "on the spot" study of that country's possibilities.

Foreign Policies

Reparations agreement
When the Committee reported that Japan was in a position to pay,

Ambassador Felino Neri, appointed chief negotiator, went to Tokyo. On

May 31, 1955, Ambassador Neri reached a compromise agreement
with Japanese Minister Takazaki, the main terms of which consisted in
the following: The Japanese government would pay eight hundred
million dollars as reparations. Payment was to be made in this wise:
Twenty million dollars would be paid in cash in Philippine currency;
thirty million dollars, in services; five million dollars, in capital goods;
and two hundred and fifty million dollars, in long-term industrial loans.

Foreign Policies

Reparations agreement
When the Committee reported that Japan was in a position to pay,

Ambassador Felino Neri, appointed chief negotiator, went to Tokyo. On

May 31, 1955, Ambassador Neri reached a compromise agreement
with Japanese Minister Takazaki, the main terms of which consisted in
the following: The Japanese government would pay eight hundred
million dollars as reparations. Payment was to be made in this wise:
Twenty million dollars would be paid in cash in Philippine currency;
thirty million dollars, in services; five million dollars, in capital goods;
and two hundred and fifty million dollars, in long-term industrial loans.

Foreign Policies

Reparations agreement
On August 12, 1955, President Magsaysay informed the Japanese

government, through Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, that the

Philippines accepted the Neri-Takazaki agreement. In view of political
developments in Japan, the Japanese Prime Minister could only inform
the Philippine government of the Japanese acceptance of said
agreement on March 15, 1956. The official Reparations agreement
between the two government was finally signed at Malacaan Palace
on May 9, 1956, thus bringing to a rather satisfactory conclusion this
long drawn controversy between the two countries.

Garcias Presidency

At the time of the sudden death of President Ramon

Magsaysay, Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary
Carlos P. Garca was heading the Philippine delegation to the
SEATO conference then being held at Canberra, Australia.
Having been immediately notified of the tragedy, Vice
President Garca enplaned back for Manila. Upon his arrival he
directly repaired to Malacaan Palace to assume the duties of
President. Chief Justice Ricardo Paras, of the Supreme Court,
was at hand to administer the oath of office. President
Garca's first actuations dealt with the declaration of a period
of mourning for the whole nation and the burial ceremonies
for the late Chief-Executive Magsaysay.

Domestic Policies

Outlawing Communism
After much discussion, both official and public, the Congress of the Philippines,

finally, approved a bill outlawing the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Despite the pressure exerted against the congressional measure, President
Carlos P. Garca signed the said bill into law as Republic Act No. 1700 on June
19, 1957. With this legislative piece, the sustained government campaign for
peace and order achieved considerable progress and success.
Republic Act No. 1700 was superseded by Presidential Decree No. 885, entitled "Outlawing
Subversive Organization, Penalizing Membership Therein and For Other Purposes." In turn,
Presidential Decree 885 was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1736, and later superseded by
Presidential Decree No. 1835, entitled, "Codifying The Various Laws on Anti-Subversion and
Increasing the Penalties for Membership in Subversive Organization." This, in turn, was amended
by Presidential Decree No. 1975. On May 5, 1987, Executive Order No. 167 repealed Presidential
Decrees Nos. 1835 and 1975 as being unduly restrictive of the constitutional right to form
associations.
On September 22, 1992, Republic Act No. 1700, as amended, was repealed by Republic Act No.
7636.

Domestic Policies

Filipino First Policy

President Garca exercised theFilipino First Policy, for which

he was known. This policy heavily favored Filipino

businessmen over foreign investors. He was also responsible
for changes in retail trade which greatly affected the Chinese
businessmen in the country. In a speech during a joint session
of the Senate and the House of Representatives on September
18, 1946, President Garcia said the following:
We are called upon to decide on this momentous debate whether or
not this land of ours will remain the cradle and grave, the womb and
tomb of our race the only place where we can build our homes, our
temples, and our altars and where we erect the castles of our racial
hopes, dreams and traditions and where we establish the warehouse of
our happiness and prosperity, of our joys and sorrows

Domestic Policies

Austerity Program
In the face of the trying conditions of the country, President
Garca initiated what has been called "The Austerity
Program". Garca's administration was characterized by its
austerity program and its insistence on a comprehensive
nationalist policy. On March 3, 1960, he affirmed the need for
complete economic freedom and added that the government
no longer would tolerate the dominance of foreign interests
(especially American) in the national economy. He promised
to shake off "the yoke of alien domination in business, trade,
commerce and industry." Garca was also credited with his
role in reviving Filipino cultural arts.

Domestic Policies

Austerity Program
The main points of the Austerity Program were:
The government would tighten up its controls to prevent abuses in the over shipment
of exports under license and in under-pricing as well.
There would be a more rigid enforcement of the existing regulations on barter
shipments.
Government imports themselves were to be restricted to essential items.
The government also would reduce rice imports to a minimum.
An overhauling of the local transportation system would be attempted so as to reduce
the importation of gasoline and spare parts.
The tax system would be revised so as to attain more equitable distribution of the
payment-burden and achieve more effective collection from those with ability to pay.
There would be an intensification of food production.

The program was hailed by the people at large and confidence was expressed
that the measures proposed would help solve the standing problems of the
Republic.

Domestic Policies
BohlenSerrano

Agreement

During his administration, he acted on the Bohlen

Serrano Agreement which shortened the lease of the

US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it
renewable after every five years.

Magsaysays Presidency
In

the1961 presidential election, Macapagal ran

against Garcia's re-election bid, promising an
end to corruption and appealing to the
electorate as a common man from humble
beginnings.
He defeated the incumbent president with a 55% to

45% margin. His inauguration as the president of the

Philippines took place on December 30, 1961.

Major Legislations Signed

Republic

Act No. 3512 An Act Creating A Fisheries Commission Defining Its

Powers, Duties and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor.
Republic Act No. 3518 An Act Creating The Philippine Veterans' Bank, and
For Other Purposes.
Republic Act No. 3844 An Act To Ordain The Agricultural Land Reform Code
and To Institute Land Reforms In The Philippines, Including The Abolition of
Tenancy and The Channeling of Capital Into Industry, Provide For The
Necessary Implementing Agencies, Appropriate Funds Therefor and For Other
Purposes.
Republic Act No. 4166 An Act Changing The Date Of Philippine
Independence Day From July Four To June Twelve, And Declaring July Four As
Philippine Republic Day, Further Amending For The Purpose Section TwentyNine Of The Revised Administrative Code.
Republic Act No. 4180 An Act Amending Republic Act Numbered Six
Hundred Two, Otherwise Known As The Minimum Wage Law, By Raising The
Minimum Wage For Certain Workers, And For Other Purposes.

Domestic Policies
Economy

In his inaugural address, Macapagal promised a socio-economic

program anchored on "a return to free and private enterprise",

placing economic development in the hands of private
entrepreneurs with minimal government interference.
Twenty days after the inauguration, exchange controls were lifted
and thePhilippine pesowas allowed to float on the free currency
exchange market. The currency controls were initially adopted by
the administration ofElpidio Quirinoas a temporary measure, but
continued to be adopted by succeeding administrations. The peso
devalued from P2.64 to the US dollar, and stabilized at P3.80 to
the dollar, supported by a $300million stabilization fund from
theInternational Monetary Fund.

Domestic Policies
Socio-economic

program

The removal of controls and the restoration

offree enterprisewas intended to provide only

the fundamental setting in which Macapagal
could work out economic and social progress.A
specific and periodic program for the guidance of
both the private sector and the government was
an essential instrument to attain the economic
and social development that constituted the goal
of his labors.

Domestic Policies
Socio-economic

program

Such a program for his administration was formulated

under his authority and direction by a group of able and

reputable economic and business leaders the most active
and effective of which was Sixto Roxas III. From an
examination of the planned targets and requirements of
the Five-Year program formally known as the Five-Year
Socio-Economic Integrated Development Program it
could be seen that it aimed at the following objectives.
immediate restoration ofeconomic stability;
alleviating the plight of the common man; and
establishing a dynamic basic for future growth.

Domestic Policies
Land

reform

LikeRamon Magsaysay, President Diosdado Macapagal

came from the masses. He savored to call himself the "Poor

boy from Lubao".
Ironically, he had little popularity among the masses.This could be
attributed to an absence of charismatic appeal of his stiff personality.

But despite this, Macapagal had certain

achievements.Foremost of these was theAgricultural Land

Reform Code of 1963(Republic Act No. 3844) which
provided for the purchase of private farmlands with the
intention of distributing them in small lots to the landless
tenants on easy term of payment.

Domestic Policies
Anti-corruption

drive

One of Macapagal's major campaign pledges had been to clean

out the government corruption that had proliferated under

former President Garcia.
The administration also openly feuded with Filipino
businessmenFernando LopezandEugenio Lopez, brothers who
had controlling interests in several large businesses.
The administration alluded to the brothers as "Filipino Stonehills
who build and maintain business empires through political
power, including the corruption of politicians and other officials".
[13]In the1965 election, the Lopezes threw their support behind
Macapagal's rival,Ferdinand Marcos, with Fernando as Marcos'
running mate.

Domestic Policies
Independence

Day

Macapagal appealed to nationalist sentiments by shifting the

commemoration of Philippine independence day.

On May 12, 1962, he signed a proclamation which declared Tuesday,
June 12, 1962, as a special public holiday in commemoration of the
declaration of independence from Spain on that date in 1898.
The change became permanent in 1964 with the signing of Republic
Act No. 4166.For having issued his 1962 proclamation, Macapagal is
generally credited with having moved the celebration date of the
Independence Day holiday.
Years later, Macapagal told journalistStanley Karnowthe real reason for the
change: "When I was in the diplomatic corps, I noticed that nobody came to our
receptions on theFourth of July, but went to the American Embassy instead. So,
to compete, I decided we needed a different holiday.

Foreign Policies
Sabah

Claim

On September 12, 1962, during President Diosdado Macapagal's administration,

the territory ofNorth Borneo, and the full sovereignty, title and dominion over the
territory were ceded by the then reigning Sultan of Sulu, HM Sultan Muhammad
Esmail E. Kiram I, to theRepublic of the Philippines.
The cession effectively gave the Philippine government the full authority to pursue
their claim in international courts.
ThePhilippinesbroke diplomatic relations with Malaysia after the federation had
included Sabah in 1963.
It was revoked in 1989 because succeeding Philippine administrations have placed
the claim in the back burner in the interest of pursuing cordial economic and
security relations withKuala Lumpur.
To date, Malaysia continues to consistently reject Philippine calls to resolve the
matter of Sabah's jurisdiction to theInternational Court of Justice. Sabah sees the
claim made by the Philippines' Moro leader Nur Misuari to take Sabah to
International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a non-issue and thus dismissed the claim.

Foreign Policies
Maphilindo

Maphilindo was described as a regional association that would approach

issues of common concern in the spirit of consensus. However, it was also

perceived as a tactic on the parts ofJakartaandManilato delay, or even
prevent, the formation of theFederation of Malaysia. Manila had its own
claim toSabah(formerlyBritish North Borneo),and Jakarta protested the
formation of Malaysia as a British imperialist plot.
The plan failed whenSukarnoadopted his plan ofkonfrontasiwith
Malaysia. The Konfrontasi, or Confrontation basically aims at preventing
Malaysia to attain independence. The idea was inspired onto President
Sukarno by the Partai Komunis Indonesia (PKI), or literally the Indonesian
Communist Party. The party convinced President Sukarno that the
Formation of Malaysia is a form of neo-colonization and will later affect
tranquility in Indonesia. The subsequent development ofASEANalmost
certainly excludes any possibility of the project ever being revived.

Foreign Policies
Vietnam

War

Before the end of his term in 1965, President

Diosdado Macapagal persuadedCongressto send

troops toSouth Vietnam. However this proposal
was blocked by the opposition led bySenate
PresidentFerdinand Marcoswho deserted
Macapagal'sLiberal Partyand defected to
theNacionalista Party.

Thank you