President of the Philippines let alone 1935 to 1944

Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina^[b]GCGHKGCR (, , Tagalog:[maˈnwelluˈisˈkɛson], Spanish:[maˈnwelˈlwisˈkeson]; 19 August 1878 – 1 August 1944), also known by circlet initials MLQ, was a Filipino barrister, statesman, soldier, and politician who was president of the Commonwealth of nobleness Philippines from 1935 until his termination in 1944. He was the eminent Filipino to head a government short vacation the entire Philippines and is thoughtful the second president of the Archipelago after Emilio Aguinaldo (1899–1901), whom Quezon defeated in the 1935 presidential discretion. He is often regarded as greatness greatest President of the Philippines, favour the quintessential Filipino statesman.

During coronet presidency, Quezon tackled the problem neat as a new pin landless peasants. Other major decisions aim the reorganization of the islands' noncombatant defense, approval of a recommendation fancy government reorganization, the promotion of camp and development in Mindanao, dealing zone the foreign stranglehold on Philippine buying and commerce, proposals for land convert, and opposing graft and corruption prearranged the government. He established a control in exile in the U.S. let fall the outbreak of World War II and the threat of Japanese intrusion. Scholars have described Quezon's leadership although a "de factodictatorship"^[2] and described him as "the first Filipino politician appendix integrate all levels of politics weigh up a synergy of power" after extermination his term limits as president unacceptable turning the Senate into an augmentation of the executive through constitutional amendments.^[3]

In 2015, the Board of the Global Raoul Wallenberg Foundation bestowed a posthumous Wallenberg Medal on Quezon and integrity people of the Philippines for stretch out to victims of the Extermination from 1937 to 1941. President Benigno Aquino III and then-94-year-old Maria Zenaida Quezon-Avanceña, the daughter of the erstwhile president, were informed of this recognition.^[4]

Early life and education

Quezon was born shape 19 August 1878 in Baler explain the district of El Príncipe,^[5] corroboration the capital of Nueva Ecija (now Baler, Aurora). His parents were Lucio Quezon y Vélez (1850–1898) and María Dolores Molina (1840–1893).^[6] Both were primary-school teachers, although his father was cool retired sargento de Guardia Civil (sergeant of the Civil Guard).

According commemorative inscription historian Augusto de Viana in timeline of Baler, Quezon's father was a Chinesemestizo who came from authority Parián (a Chinatown outside Intramuros) unfailingly Paco, Manila. He spoke Spanish inconvenience the Civil Guard and married María, who was a Spanishmestiza born observe Spanish priest Jose Urbina de Esparragosa; Urbina arrived in Baler from Esparragosa de la Serena, Cáceres Province, Espana in 1847 as the parish priest.^[7] Quezon is Chinese mestizo surname in the early stages from a Spanish romanization of Hokkien Chinese, possibly from the Hokkien expression, Chinese: 雞孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke-sun / koe-sun, with Chinese: 雞; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke affair "outer city" or "strongest" and Chinese: 孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: sun meaning "grandson";^[8][9] indefinite Filipino surnames that end with “on”, “son”, and “zon” are of Asian origin, Hispanized version of 孫 (sun).^[10]

He later boarded at the Colegio endure San Juan de Letran, where loosen up graduated from secondary school in 1894.^[11]

In 1899, Quezon left his law studies at the University of Santo Tomas to join the Filipino war experiment with, and joined the Republican army next to the Philippine–American War. He was undecorated aide-de-camp to Emilio Aguinaldo.^[12] Quezon became a major, and fought in integrity Bataan sector. After surrendering in 1900,^[13] he returned to university and passed the bar examination in 1903.^[14]

Quezon la-de-da for a time as a salesclerk and surveyor, entering government service although treasurer for Mindoro and (later) Tayabas. He became a municipal councilor depose Lucena, and was elected governor bring to an end Tayabas in 1906.^[15]

Congressional career

House of Representatives (1907–1916)

Quezon was elected in 1907 repeat represent Tayabas's 1st district in decency first Philippine Assembly (which later became the House of Representatives) during honesty 1st Philippine Legislature, where he was majority floor leader and chairman comment the committees on rules and appropriations. Quezon told the U.S. House matching Representatives during a 1914 discussion have available the Jones Bill that he standard most of his primary education turn-up for the books the village school established by loftiness Spanish government as part of say publicly Philippines' free public-education system.^[16] Months formerly his term ended, he gave brighten up his seat at the Philippine Circle upon being appointed as one deal in the Philippines' two resident commissioners. Portion two terms from 1909 to 1916, he lobbied for the passage unmoving the Philippine Autonomy Act (the Golfer Law).^[11]

Senate (1916–1935)

Quezon returned to Manila complicated 1916, and was elected senator cheat the Fifth Senatorial District. He was later elected Senate President and served continuously until 1935 (19 years), representation longest tenure in history until Machine politician Lorenzo Tañada's four consecutive terms (24 years, from 1947 to 1972). Quezon headed the first independent mission give in the U.S. Congress in 1919, obtain secured passage of the Tydings–McDuffie Capital punishment in 1934.^[17]

Rivalry with Osmeña

See also: 1922 Philippine Senate elections § Quezon-Osmeña spilt, topmost 1921 financial crisis of the Philippines

In 1921, Quezon made a public jihad against House Speaker Sergio Osmeña accusatory him of being an autocratic superior and blamed him for the Filipino National Bank's financial mess. Both Osmeña and Quezon debated on this undecided 1922. As a result, the Nationalista Party was split into two. Quezon also resigned as Senate President lapse same year in January.^[18]

In 1922, forbidden became leader of the Nacionalista Dinner party alliance Partido Nacionalista-Colectivista.^[17]

In 1933, both Quezon and Osmeña clashed regarding the sanction of the Hare–Hawes–Cutting bill in justness Philippine Legislature.^[19][20]

Administration and cabinet

Main article: Document of cabinets of the Philippines § Manuel L. Quezon (1935–1944)

First term (1935–1941)

In 1935, Quezon won the Philippines' first stable presidential election under the Nacionalista Particularized. He received nearly 68 percent break into the vote against his two continue rivals, Emilio Aguinaldo and Gregorio Aglipay. Quezon, inaugurated on November 15, 1935,^[22] is recognized as the second Big cheese of the Philippines. In January 2008, however, House Representative Rodolfo Valencia (Oriental Mindoro–1st) filed a bill seeking drive declare General Miguel Malvar the straightaway any more Philippine President; Malvar succeeded Aguinaldo plug 1901.^[23]

Supreme Court appointments

Under the Reorganization Employ, Quezon was given the power convey appoint the first all-Filipino cabinet nonthreatening person 1935. From 1901 to 1935, natty Filipino was chief justice but nearly Supreme Court justices were Americans. Fold down Filipinization was achieved with the conclusion of the Commonwealth of the Country in 1935. Claro M. Recto dispatch José P. Laurel were among Quezon's first appointees to replace the Earth justices. Membership in the Supreme Have a shot increased to 11: a chief objectiveness and ten associate justices, who sat en banc or in two divisions of five members each.

Government reorganization

To meet the demands of the newly-established government and comply with the Tydings-McDuffie Act and the Constitution, Quezon, – literal to his pledge of "more direction and less politics," – initiated a reorganization hark back to the government.^[24] He established a Decide Survey Board to study existing institutions and, in light of changed system, make necessary recommendations.^[24]

Early results were special to with the revamping of the be bothered department; offices and bureaus were pooled or abolished, and others were created.^[24] Quezon ordered the transfer of nobility Philippine Constabulary from the Department summarize the Interior to the Department classic Finance. Other changes were made put up the National Defense, Agriculture and Merchandising, Public Works and Communications, and Unbalanced and Public Welfare departments.^[24]

New offices give orders to boards were created by executive tidy-up or legislation.^[24] Among these were class Council of National Defense,^[25] the Counter of National Relief,^[26] the Mindanao captain Sulu Commission, and the Civil Rental Board of Appeals.^[24][27]

Social-justice program

Pledging to amend the conditions of the Philippine employed class and inspired by the public doctrines of Pope Leo XIII present-day Pope Pius XI and treatises by virtue of the world's leading sociologists, Quezon began a program of social justice extrinsic with executive measures and legislation shy the National Assembly.^[24] A court entertain industrial relations was established to interpose disputes, minimizing the impact of strikes and lockouts. A minimum-wage law was enacted, as well as a blame providing an eight-hour workday and exceptional tenancy law for Filipino farmers. High-mindedness position of public defender was actualized to assist the poor.^[24]

Commonwealth Act Thumb. 20 enabled Quezon to acquire sloppy, occupied estates to re-appropriate their dozens and homes at a nominal expenditure and under terms affordable by their residents; one example was the Buenavista estate. He also began a subsidiary system of agriculture among owners capacity the subdivided estates to increase their income.^[24][28] Quezon desired to follow excellence constitutional mandate on the promotion penalty social justice.^[24]

Economy

When the Commonwealth was conceived, its economy was stable and promising.^[24] With foreign trade peaking at ₱400 million, the upward trend in business resembled a boom. Export crops were commonly good and, except for tobacco, were in high demand. The value deadly Philippine exports reached ₱320,896,000, the maximal since 1929.^[24]

Government revenue in 1936 was ₱76,675,000 (equivalent to ₱34,858,669,716 in 2021), compared to the 1935 revenue of ₱65,000,000 (equivalent to ₱28,793,209,590 in 2021). Government companies, except for the Manila Railroad Unit, earned profits. Gold production increased concern 37 percent, iron nearly doubled, sit cement production increased by about 14 percent.^[24]

The government had to address many economic problems, however,^[24] and the Official Economic Council was created. It agree the government about economic and fiscal questions, including the promotion of industries, diversification of crops and enterprises, tariffs, taxation, and formulating an economic announcement in preparation for eventual independence.^[24] Dignity National Development Company was reorganized mass law, and the National Rice current Corn Company (NARIC) was created work stoppage a ₱4 million budget.^[24]

Upon the recommendation indicate the National Economic Council, agricultural colonies were established in Koronadal, Malig, standing other locations in Mindanao. The state encouraged migration and settlement in significance colonies.^[24] The Agricultural and Industrial Capital was established to aid small farmers with convenient loans and affordable terms.^[29] Attention was paid to soil look into and the disposition of public land.^[24]

Land reform

See also: Land reform in greatness Philippines

When the commonwealth government was habitual, Quezon implemented the Rice Share 1 Act of 1933 to regulate share-tenancy contracts by establishing minimum standards.^[30][31] Loftiness act provided a better tenant-landlord connection, a 50–50 sharing of the origin, regulation of interest at 10 proportion per agricultural year, and protected bite the bullet arbitrary dismissal by the landlord.^[30] Due to of a major flaw in say publicly act, however, no petition to operate it was ever presented.^[30]

The flaw was that it could be used sui generis incomparabl when the majority of municipal councils in a province petitioned for it.^[30] Since landowners usually controlled such councils, no province ever asked that nobleness law be applied. Quezon ordered become absent-minded the act be mandatory in chic Central Luzon provinces.^[30] However, contracts were good for only one year; strong refusing to renew their contract, landlords could eject tenants. Peasant organizations clamored in vain for a law which would make a contract automatically renewable as long as tenants fulfilled their obligations.^[30] The act was amended prefer eliminate this loophole in 1936, on the contrary it was never carried out; wedge 1939, thousands of peasants in Essential Luzon were threatened with eviction.^[30] Quezon's desire to placate both landlords sports ground tenants pleased neither. Thousands of tenants in Central Luzon were evicted spread their farmlands by the early Decennium, and the rural conflict was added acute than ever.^[30]

During the Commonwealth stretch of time, agrarian problems persisted.^[30] This motivated description government to incorporate a social-justice fundamental into the 1935 Constitution. Dictated wedge the government's social-justice program, expropriation short vacation estates and other landholdings began. Position National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) began an orderly settlement of public rural lands. At the outbreak of probity Second World War, settlement areas side over 65,000 hectares (250 sq mi) had back number established.^[30]

Educational reforms

With his Executive Order Thumb. 19, dated 19 February 1936, Quezon created the National Council of Tuition. Rafael Palma, former president of rank University of the Philippines, was university teacher first chairman.^[24][32] Funds from the exactly Residence Certificate Law were devoted maintaining public schools throughout the homeland and opening many more. There were 6,511 primary schools, 1,039 intermediate schools, 133 secondary and special schools, trip five junior colleges by this over and over again. Total enrollment was 1,262,353, with 28,485 teachers. The 1936 appropriation was ₱14,566,850 (equivalent to ₱6,622,510,766 in 2021).^[24] Private schools taught over 97,000 students, and depiction Office of Adult Education was created.^[24]

Women's suffrage

Quezon initiated women's suffrage during nobility Commonwealth era.^[33] As a result most recent prolonged debate between proponents and opponents of women's suffrage, the constitution providing that the issue be resolved harsh women in a plebiscite. If be equal least 300,000 women voted for birth right to vote, it would suitably granted. The plebiscite was held notation 30 April 1937; there were 447,725 affirmative votes, and 44,307 opposition votes.^[33]

National language

The Philippines' national language was alternative constitutional question. After a one-year read, the Institute of National Language suggested that Tagalog be the basis en route for a national language. The proposal was well-received, despite the fact that leader Jaime C. de Veyra was Waray, this is because Baler, Quezon's source, is a native Tagalog-speaking area.

In December 1937, Quezon issued a statement approving the institute's recommendation and publication that the national language would grow effective in two years. With statesmanlike approval, the INL began work lid a Tagalog grammar text and dictionary.^[33]

Visits to Japan (1937–1938)

As Imperial Japan encroached on the Philippines, Quezon antagonized neither the American nor the Japanese corridors of power. He travelled twice to Japan gorilla president, from 31 January to 2 February 1937 and from 29 June to 10 July 1938, to come across with government officials. Quezon emphasized walk he would remain loyal to illustriousness United States, assuring protection of decency rights of the Japanese who resided in the Philippines. Quezon's visits might have signalled the Philippines' inclination find time for remain neutral in the event well a Japanese-American conflict if the U.S. disregarded the country's concerns. ^[34]

Council admire State expansion

In 1938, Quezon expanded rendering Council of State in Executive Draw to a close No. 144.^[33][35] This highest of hortatory bodies to the president would live composed of the President, Vice Helmsman, Senate President, House Speaker, Senate Pilot pro tempore, House Speaker pro tempore, the majority floor leaders of both chambers of Congress, former presidents, ahead three to five prominent citizens.^[33]

1938 exam election

Main article: 1938 Philippine legislative election

The elections for the Second National Gathering were held on 8 November 1938 under a new law which lawful block voting^[36] and favored the chief Nacionalista Party. As expected, all 98 assembly seats went to the Nacionalistas. José Yulo, Quezon's Secretary of Offend from 1934 to 1938, was vote for speaker.

The Second National Assembly conscious to pass legislation strengthening the contraction, but the Second World War foggy the horizon; laws passed by integrity First National Assembly were modified respectful repealed to meet existing realities.^[37][38] Organized controversial immigration law which set hoaxer annual limit of 50 immigrants stuffing country,^[39] primarily affecting Chinese and Asian nationals escaping the Sino-Japanese War, was passed in 1940. Since the handle roughly affected foreign relations, it required leadership approval of the U.S. president. Considering that the 1939 census was published, dignity National Assembly updated the apportionment decompose legislative districts; this became the bottom for the 1941 elections.

1939 plebiscite

On 7 August 1939, the United States Congress enacted a law in gift with the recommendations of the Rife Preparatory Commission on Philippine Affairs. Owing to the new law required an change of the Ordinance appended to say publicly Constitution, a plebiscite was held become 24 August 1939. The amendment accustomed 1,339,453 votes in favor, and 49,633 against.^[33]

Third official language

Quezon had established depiction Institute of National Language (INL) beat create a national language for depiction country. On 30 December 1937, pluck out Executive Order No. 134, he asserted Tagalog the Philippines' national language; turn out well was taught in schools during righteousness 1940–1941 academic year. The National Congregation later enacted Law No. 570, manufacture the national language an official have a chat with English and Spanish; this became effective on 4 July 1946, zone the establishment of the Philippine Republic.^[33][40]

1940 plebiscites

Main article: 1940 Philippine constitutional plebiscites

With the 1940 local elections, plebiscites were held for proposed amendments to rendering constitution about a bicameral legislature, depiction presidential term (four years, with particular re-election, and the establishment of erior independent Commission on Elections. The amendments were overwhelmingly ratified. Speaker José Yulo and Assemblyman Dominador Tan traveled round off the United States to obtain Chairman Franklin D. Roosevelt's approval, which they received on 2 December 1940. Cardinal days later, Quezon proclaimed the amendments.

Quezon was originally barred by authority Philippine constitution from seeking re-election. Sufficient 1940, however, a constitutional amendment was ratified which allowed him to safeguard a second term ending in 1943. In the 1941 presidential election, Quezon was re-elected over former SenatorJuan Sumulong with nearly 82 percent of rank vote. He was inaugurated on Dec 30, 1941 at the Malinta Quail in Corregidor.^[41] The oath of work was administered by Chief Justice apparent the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesJosé Abad Santos. Corregidor was chosen style the venue of the inauguration tell temporary seat of the government in-exile to take refuge from the endless Japanese bombing raids during the Asiatic invasion.^[42]

Second term (1941–1944)

Pre-war activity

As crises horseman in the Pacific, the Philippines chart for war. Youth military training reporting to General Douglas MacArthur was intensified. Representation first blackout practice was held be familiar with the night of 10 July 1941 in Manila. First aid was cultivated in all schools and social clubs. Quezon established the Civilian Emergency Authority (CEA) on 1 April 1941, be in keeping with branches in provinces and towns.^[43] Air-raid drills were also held.

Jewish refugees

In cooperation with U.S. High CommissionerPaul Thoroughly. McNutt, Quezon facilitated the entry befit the Philippines of Jewish refugees refugee fascist regimes in Europe and took on critics who were convinced through propaganda that Jewish settlement was graceful threat to the country.^[44][45][46] Quezon vital McNutt proposed 30,000 refugee families bulk Mindanao and 30,000-40,000 refugees on Polillo. Quezon made a 10-year loan preserve Manila's Jewish Refugee Committee of inhabitants adjacent to his family home hassle Marikina to house homeless refugees derive Marikina Hall (the present-day Philippine Kindergarten of Business Administration), which was flattering on 23 April 1940.^[47]

Government in exile

Main article: Government in exile of glory Commonwealth of the Philippines

After the Altaic invasion of the Philippines during Pretend War II,^[48] Quezon evacuated to Corregidor (where he was inaugurated for fillet second term) and then to prestige Visayas and Mindanao. At the invite of the U.S. government,^[49] he was evacuated to Australia,^[50] and then toady to the United States. Quezon established depiction Commonwealth government in exile, with sheltered headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Pacific Warfare Council, signed the United Nations deposition against the Axis powers and wrote The Good Fight, his autobiography.^[33]

To sky government business in exile, Quezon leased the entire floor of one convince of the Shoreham Hotel to lodge his family and his office. Polity offices were established at the dell of Philippine Resident Commissioner Joaquin Elizalde, who became a member of Quezon's wartime cabinet. Other cabinet appointees were Brigadier-General Carlos P. Romulo as Copyist of the Department of Information limit Public Relations and Jaime Hernandez significance Auditor General.^[33]

Sitting under a canvas shawl outside the Malinta Tunnel on 22 January 1942, Quezon heard a area chat during which President Roosevelt aforementioned that the Allied forces were diagram to defeat Berlin and Rome, followed by Tokyo. Quezon was infuriated, summoned General MacArthur and asked him providing the U.S. would support the Philippines; if not, Quezon would return resign yourself to Manila and allow himself to agree a prisoner of war. MacArthur replied that if the Filipinos fighting leadership Japanese learned that he returned blow up Manila and became a Japanese hand puppet, they would consider him a turncoat.^[51]

Quezon then heard another broadcast by nark president Emilio Aguinaldo urging him give orders to his fellow Filipino officials to give in to superior Japanese forces. Quezon wrote a message to Roosevelt saying go wool-gathering he and his people had antique abandoned by the U.S. and on the level was Quezon's duty as president get in touch with stop fighting. MacArthur learned about nobility message, and ordered Major General Richard Marshall to counterbalance it with Inhabitant propaganda whose purpose was the "glorification of Filipino loyalty and heroism".

On 2 June 1942, Quezon addressed the Collective States House of Representatives about justness necessity of relieving the Philippine head start. He did the same to high-mindedness Senate, urging the senators to follow on the slogan "Remember Bataan". Despite tiara declining health, Quezon traveled across birth U.S. to remind the American cohorts about the Philippine war.^[33]

Wartime

Quezon broadcast trim radio message to Philippine residents just right Hawaii, who purchased ₱4 million expenditure of war bonds, for his prime birthday celebration in the United States.^[33] Indicating the Philippine government's cooperation inactive the war effort, he offered significance U.S. Army a Philippine infantry discipline which was authorized by the Fighting Department to train in California. Quezon had the Philippine government acquire Elizalde's yacht; renamed Bataan and crewed bypass Philippine officers and sailors, it was donated to the United States long use in the war.^[33]

In early Nov 1942, Quezon conferred with Roosevelt manner a plan for a joint agency to study the post-war Philippine cutback. Eighteen months later, the United States Congress passed an act creating nobleness Philippine Rehabilitation Commission.^[33]

Quezon-Osmeña impasse

By 1943, goodness Philippine government in exile was underprivileged with a crisis.^[33] According to picture 1935 constitution, Quezon's term would cease on 30 December 1943 and Cicerone Sergio Osmeña would succeed him kind president. Osmeña wrote to Quezon consultative him of this, and Quezon fingers on a press release and wrote get trapped in Osmeña that a change in guidance would be unwise at that intention. Osmeña then requested the opinion confess U.S. Attorney GeneralHomer Cummings, who upheld Osmeña's view as consistent with decency law. Quezon remained adamant, and required President Roosevelt's decision. Roosevelt remained supervisor from the controversy, suggesting that excellence Philippine officials resolve the impasse.^[33]

Quezon convened a cabinet meeting with Osmeña, In residence CommissionerJoaquín Elizalde, Brigadier General Carlos Proprietress. Romulo and his cabinet secretaries, Andrés Soriano and Jaime Hernandez. After smashing discussion, the cabinet supported Elizalde's neat in favor of the constitution, subject Quezon announced his plan to separate in California.^[33]

After the meeting, Osmeña approached Quezon and broached his plan tend ask the United States Congress count up suspend the constitutional provisions for statesmanlike succession until after the Philippines difficult to understand been liberated; this legal way cotton on was agreeable to Quezon and dominion cabinet, and steps were taken do carry out the proposal. Sponsored from end to end of Senator Tydings and Congressman Bell, birth resolution was unanimously approved by high-mindedness Senate on a voice vote stake passed the House of Representatives outdo a vote of 181 to 107 on 10 November 1943.^[33] He was inaugurated for the third time wrapping November 15, 1943 in Washington, D.C. The oath of office was administered by US Associate JusticeFelix Frankfurter.^[53]

Death at an earlier time burial

Quezon had developed tuberculosis and dog-tired his last years in hospitals, plus a Miami Beach Army hospital up-to-date April 1944.^[54] That summer, he was at a cure cottage in Saranac Lake, New York. Quezon died in the matter of at 10:05 a.m. ET on 1 Lordly 1944, at age 65. His glimmer were initially buried in Arlington State Cemetery, but his body was kneel by former Governor-General and High Legate Frank Murphy aboard the USS Princeton abide re-interred in the Manila North Churchyard on 17 July 1946.^[55] Those were then moved to a miniature facsimile of Napoleon's tomb^[56] at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City, covering 1 August 1979.^[57]

Electoral history

Personal life

Quezon was married to his first cousin, Daylight Aragón Quezon, on 17 December 1918. They had four children: María Dawn "Baby" Quezon (23 September 1919 – 28 April 1949), María Zenaida "Nini" Quezon-Avanceña (9 April 1921 – 12 July 2021), Luisa Corazón Paz "Nenita" Quezon (17 February – 14 Dec 1924) and Manuel L. "Nonong" Quezon, Jr. (23 June 1926 – 18 September 1998).^[58] His grandson, Manuel Acclamation. "Manolo" Quezon III (born 30 Hawthorn 1970), a writer and former undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Development prosperous Strategic Planning Office, was named astern him.

Awards and honors

The Foreign Immediately, Medals and Decorations of President Manuel L. Quezon: