MANUEL ACUÑA ROXAS

PREPARED BY:CHRISTINE A. MALINGJHESSA JANE NATIVIDADKAREN JOY POLEÑOKAREN NIRVANA VALERASECTION:BA-MM103

Pres. Manuel Acuña Roxas(1946-1948)

First President of the Third Philippine Republic

Manuel A. Roxas

Born : January 1, 1892Birthplace : Roxas City, Capiz, PhilippinesDied : April 15, 1948 (Clark Air Base, Philippines)Cause of death : Heart FailureRemains: Buried, North Cemetery Manila, PhilippinesOccupation : Head of StateMilitary service : Philippine Army (Liaison officer between US and Philippines)Father : Gerardo Roxas Mother : Rosario Acuña

Manuel RoxasEducational Background

Roxas received his early education in the public schools of Capiz.

At age 12, he attended St. Joseph’s Academy in HongKong.

He eventually moved to Manila High School (later named the Araullo High School), graduating with highest honors in 1909. 

Roxas began his law studies at a private law school established by George Malcolm., the first dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law.

On his second year, he enrolled at U.P., where he was elected president of both his class and the Student Council.

In 1913, Roxas obtained his law degree, graduated class valedictorian, and subsequently topped the first bar examinations with a grade of 92%, becoming the first ever bar topnotcher of the Philippines.

Manuel Roxas

Married Life

Wife : Trinidad de Leon Children:Rosario "Ruby" Roxas

Gerardo "Gerry" Roxas

Gerry became a House Representative and a leader of Liberal Party.

He fathered three children, two of them (Dinggoy Roxas and Mar Roxas) served as Representatives of Capiz. 2004.

Daughter Ruby has an only son, named Manuel but nicknamed Manolo.

Manuel RoxasCareer

Before he started in government service he was a practicing lawyer and was a professor of law at the Philippine Law School and National University.

In 1913, upon learning Manuel's excellent records, former Chief Justice Cayetano L. Arellano offered him to be his secretary of the Supreme Court.

As a politician

1917 : appointed as municipal councilor of Capiz

1919 - 1921 : elected and served as Governor of the province

1922 -1934 : After his term as governor he was elected to represent their province to the 7th, 8th, and 9th Philippine Legislature where he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

1933 : He went with Sergio Osmeña to the US in  to secure passage of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law. He was one of the delegates in the drafting of the 1935 Constitution.

1935 - 1938 : He also served as a member of the national Assembly

1938 -1941 : Secretary of Finance under the Quezon Administration 

Manuel RoxasAdministration

(1946-1948)

Roxas was then inaugurated on July 4, 1946 as the new and first president of the Third Republic.

The inaugural ceremonies took place at Luneta Park, Manila.

Condition when Roxas became

president

The country was paralyzed because World War II just ended.

Commerce was experiencing recession because farms and factories were ruined.

Transportation efficiency was down due to the bombed roads and bridges.

Many people were massacred and towns and cities were burnt down.

80% of the school buildings were ruined which weakened the educational system.

There was a crime rate hike because some Filipinos patronized the “American gangsters”.

The reconstruction of the post-war Philippines fell into the hands of Manuel Roxas.

Achievements of

Manuel Roxas

April 30,1946 – U.S Congress passed two laws that were intended to help the economic recovery of the country.

Philippine Trade Act(Bell Trade Act)

provided for the continuation of free trade with the Philippines and the United States from 1946 to 1954. For the next 20 years from 1954-1974, Philippine exports to the U.S. will pay a gradually increased tariff rate. The value of the peso was fixed at half an American dollar.

Philippine Rehabilitation Act(Tydings Rehabilitation Act)

resulted to the creation of the Philippine War Damage Commission to take charge of war damage payments.

Parity Rights

In return for American support, the government went its way to amend the 1935 Philippine Constitution to give parity rights to American.

Parity Rights - obliged the country to grant U.S. citizens and corporations the same rights as Filipino in the utilization and exploitation of Philippine natural resources.

Military Bases Agreement Signed on March 14, 1947, gave the U.S. free use of 23 base sites for 99 years renewable on expiration on this treaty.

Provision of the Military Bases Agreement granted American military authorities an exclusive jurisdiction over all the offenses or crimes committed by American personnel within the bases or outside while in the performance.

General Amnesty

General Amnesty was given on January 28, 1948, Roxas granted this to guerillas who were imprisoned during World War II.

An earlier amnesty hindered Roxas because of his fear that the Americans might stop rendering financial assistance to the country.

The enactment of Hare-Hawes cutting Law in 1932

Tydings Mcduffie Act which led to the granting of the Philippine independence on July 04, 1946 after the transition period of 10 years. 

Repairing the infrastructure that were destroyed by the war.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS

The Treaty of General Relations was both beneficial for both countries (America and Philippines).

General Amnesty was beneficial for the people who were caught conniving with Japan during World War II.

The Bell trade act (the inclusion of the Parity Amendment in the constitution and the signing of the 1947 Military Bases Agreement) was dominantly an advantage for the American citizens and businesses.

Problems During Roxas Administration

Problems Main Problem of Roxas Administration was the

HUKBALAHAP.

Inefficient production and very low incomes were among the basic problems of the people.

The government military and Huks were plunged into hostilities.

Civilians caught in crossfire, lived in fear and hunger.

One criticism in Roxas’ administration is his camaraderie with the Americans. He was too close to them to the point that he allowed US military bases in the country, permitted trade restrictions for Filipinos, and gave special privileges for US property owners and investors.

LUIS TARUC leader of HUKBALAHAP

March 6, 1948 – Roxas issued a proclamation declaring that the HUKBALAHAP and Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magsasaka(PKM) as illegal associations organized and maintained to commit acts of sedition.

People having affiliation with these groups are considered as enemies of states and thus, liable to be arrested.

Republic Act. No. 4 – Roxas issued on July 29, 1946, that called for the surrender of firearms.

Wealthy landlords hired civilian guards to assail Huks region.

Republic Act. No. 34 approved on Sept.30, 1946, which gave the tenants a better share in the rice harvest.

Death of Manuel Roxas

Roxas did not finish his term that was expected to end by 1950 because he died of heart attack

On the night of April 15, 1948, Roxas died at Clark Field, Pampanga.

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

In his honor, Roxas District (Project 1) in Quezon City, Roxas, Capiz and Roxas, Isabela was named after him .