From Roxas to Macapagal Administration

1. The Third
Philippine
Republic
PRMalitIII

2. • The Third Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on
July 4, 1946. It marked the culmination of the peaceful
campaign for Philippine Independence—the two
landmarks of which were the enactment of the Jones Law
in 1916 (in which the U.S. Congress pledged
independence for the Philippines once Filipinos have
proven their capability for self-government) and the
Philippine Independence Act of 1934 (popularly known
as Tydings-McDuffie) which put in place a ten-year
transition period during which the Philippines had
Commonwealth status.

3. Manuel A. 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

4. • In an effort to solve the massive socio-economic problems of
the period, President Roxas reorganized the government, and
proposed a wide-sweeping legislative program. Among the
undertakings of the Third Republic’s initial year were: The
establishment of the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation
(which would be reorganized in 1958 as the Development
Bank of the Philippines); the creation of the Department of
Foreign Affair and the organization of the foreign service
through Executive Order No. 18; the GI Bill of Rights for
Filipino veterans; and the revision of taxation laws to increase
government revenues.

5. • President Roxas moved to strengthen sovereignty by
proposing a Central Bank for the Philippines to
administer the Philippine banking system which was
established by Republic Act No. 265.

6. • The Roxas administration also pioneered the foreign policy of
the Republic. Vice President Elpidio Quirino was appointed
Secretary of Foreign Affairs. General Carlos P. Romulo, as
permanent representative of the Philippines to the United
Nations, helped shape the country’s international identity in the
newly established stage for international diplomacy and
relations. During the Roxas administration, the Philippines
established diplomatic ties with foreign countries and gained
membership to international entities, such as the United
Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World
Health Organization (WHO), the International Labor
Organization (ILO), etc.

7. Elpidio Quirino
• Second President,
Third Republic of the
Philippines
• Term:
April 17, 1948-
November 10, 1953

8. • President Quirino established the Action Committee on
Social Amelioration through Administrative Order No.
68, in order to efficiently promote the welfare of citizens
in the rural districts. He established the Social Security
Study Commission by virtue of Executive Order No. 150,
to investigate socio-economic problems of the working
class and formulate legislation developing social welfare.

9. • The Labor Management Advisory Board, established by
Executive Order No. 158, formulated labor policies and
conducted studies on the ways and means of preventing,
minimizing, and reconciling labor disputes. The
Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing
Administration, established by Republic Act. No. 821,
assisted farmers in securing credit as well as developing
cooperative associations to efficiently market their
agricultural commodities.

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

12. • Among the accomplishments of the Magsaysay
administration were the Social Security Law of 1954 or
Republic Act No. 1161. In an effort to solve the problems
of communism and insurgency, President Magsaysay
sought to protect the farmers, through the creation of laws
such as: the Agricultural Tenancy Act of the Philippines
or Republic Act No. 1199; the Land Reform Act of 1955
through Republic Act No. 1400; the formation of the
Court of Agrarian Relations through Republic Act No.
1267; and the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Administration (NARRA) through Republic Act No.
1160. The administration achieved victory over
insurgents with the surrender of Huk leader Luis Taruc in
1954.

13. Magsaysay’s Death
• Magsaysay's term, which was to end on December 30, 1957,
was cut short by a plane crash. On March 16, 1957, Magsaysay
left Manila for Cebu City where he spoke at three educational
institutions. That same night, at about 1 am, he boarded the
presidential plane "Mt. Pinatubo", a C-47, heading back to
Manila. In the early morning hours of March 17, the plane was
reported missing. By late afternoon, newspapers had reported
the airplane had crashed on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu, and that
36 of the 56 aboard were killed. The actual number on board
was 25, including Magsaysay. Only newspaperman Néstor
Mata survived. Vice-President Carlos García, who was on an
official visit to Australia at the time, assumed the presidency to
serve out the last eight months of Magsaysay's term.

14. Carlos P. Garcia
• Fourth President of the
Third Republic of the
Philippines
• Term: March 18, 1957-
December 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.

15. • The Garcia administration promoted the “Filipino First”
policy, whose focal point was to regain economic
independence; a national effort by Filipinos to “obtain major
and dominant participation in their economy.” The
administration campaigned for the citizens’ support in
patronizing Filipino products and services, and implemented
import and currency controls favorable for Filipino industries.
In connection with the government’s goal of self-sufficiency
was the “Austerity Program,” which President Garcia
described in his first State of the NatIon Address as “more
work, more thrift, more productive investment, and more
efficiency” that aimed to mobilize national savings.

16. • The Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, through
Republic Act No. 301, aimed to prevent corruption, and
promote honesty and public trust. Another achievement
of the Garcia administration was the Bohlen–Serrano
Agreement of 1959, which shortened the term of lease of
the US military bases in the country from the previous 99
to 25 years

17. 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” and “The poor boy
from Lubao”

18. • Among the laws passed during the Macapagal
administration were: Republic Act No. 3844 or the
Agricultural Land Reform Code (an act that established
the Land Bank of the Philippines); Republic Act No.
3466, which established the Emergency Employment
Administration; Republic Act No. 3518, which
established the Philippine Veterans Bank; Republic Act
No. 3470, which established the National Cottage
Industries Development Authority (NACIDA) to
organize, revive, and promote the establishment of local
cottage industries; and Republic Act No. 4156, which
established the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to
operate the national railroad and tramways. The
administration lifted foreign exchange controls as part of
the decontrol program in an attempt to promote national
economic stability and growth.

19. • On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued
Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared June 12
a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in
commemoration of our people's declaration of their
inherent and inalienable right to freedom and
independence." On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No.
4166 renamed July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic
Day", proclaimed June 12 as "Philippine Independence
Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to
observe the latter with befitting rites.