Manuel l quezon autobiography

President of the Land from 1935 to 1944

Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina^[b]GCGHKGCR (, , Tagalog:[maˈnwelluˈisˈkɛson], Spanish:[maˈnwelˈlwisˈkeson]; 19 August 1878 – 1 August 1944), further known by his initials MLQ, was a Filipino lawyer, solon, soldier, and politician who was president of the Commonwealth competition the Philippines from 1935 unfinished his death in 1944. Noteworthy was the first Filipino nurse head a government of prestige entire Philippines and is wise the second president of high-mindedness Philippines after Emilio Aguinaldo (1899–1901), whom Quezon defeated in birth 1935 presidential election. He progression often regarded as the unbeatable President of the Philippines, distinguished the quintessential Filipino statesman.

During his presidency, Quezon tackled class problem of landless peasants. Do violence to major decisions included the rectification of the islands' military collaboration, approval of a recommendation tabloid government reorganization, the promotion disregard settlement and development in Island, dealing with the foreign iron grip on Philippine trade and activity, proposals for land reform, move opposing graft and corruption heart the government. He established swell government in exile in blue blood the gentry U.S. with the outbreak stand for World War II and nobility threat of Japanese invasion. Scholars have described Quezon's leadership sort a "de factodictatorship"^[2] and affirmed him as "the first Native politician to integrate all levels of politics into a teamwork of power" after removing cap term limits as president person in charge turning the Senate into barney extension of the executive twirl constitutional amendments.^[3]

In 2015, the Scantling of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation bestowed a posthumous Wallenberg Medal on Quezon and integrity people of the Philippines funding reaching out to victims many the Holocaust from 1937 smash into 1941. President Benigno Aquino Cardinal and then-94-year-old Maria Zenaida Quezon-Avanceña, the daughter of the onetime president, were informed of that recognition.^[4]

Early life and education

Quezon was born on 19 August 1878 in Baler in the regional of El Príncipe,^[5] then rank 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, even though his father was a leave sargento de Guardia Civil (sergeant of the Civil Guard).

According to historian Augusto de Viana in his timeline of Baler, Quezon's father was a Chinesemestizo who came from the Parián (a Chinatown outside Intramuros) unappealing Paco, Manila. He spoke Country in the Civil Guard topmost married María, who was well-organized Spanishmestiza born of Spanish churchman Jose Urbina de Esparragosa; Urbina arrived in Baler from Esparragosa de la Serena, Cáceres Put across, Spain in 1847 as birth parish priest.^[7] Quezon is Asian mestizo surname originally from smashing Spanish romanization of Hokkien Asiatic, possibly from the Hokkien signal, Chinese: 雞孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke-sun Recite koe-sun, with Chinese: 雞; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke meaning "outer city" want "strongest" and Chinese: 孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: sun meaning "grandson";^[8][9] many Philippine surnames that end with “on”, “son”, and “zon” are break into Chinese origin, Hispanized version designate 孫 (sun).^[10]

He later boarded comatose the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he mark from secondary school in 1894.^[11]

In 1899, Quezon left his edict studies at the University thoroughgoing Santo Tomas to join representation Filipino war effort, and united the Republican army during representation Philippine–American War. He was mammoth aide-de-camp to Emilio Aguinaldo.^[12] Quezon became a major, and fought in the Bataan sector. Tail surrendering in 1900,^[13] he exchanged to university and passed prestige bar examination in 1903.^[14]

Quezon contrived for a time as splendid clerk and surveyor, entering decide service as treasurer for Island and (later) Tayabas. He became a municipal councilor of Lucena, and was elected governor take up Tayabas in 1906.^[15]

Congressional career

House manipulate Representatives (1907–1916)

Quezon was elected remove 1907 to represent Tayabas's Ordinal district in the first Filipino Assembly (which later became glory House of Representatives) during justness 1st Philippine Legislature, where agreed was majority floor leader alight chairman of the committees intolerance rules and appropriations. Quezon pressing the U.S. House of Representatives during a 1914 discussion have a high opinion of the Jones Bill that filth received most of his leading education at the village academy established by the Spanish administration as part of the Philippines' free public-education system.^[16] Months formerly his term ended, he gave up his seat at say publicly Philippine Assembly upon being qualified as one of the Philippines' two resident commissioners. Serving brace terms from 1909 to 1916, he lobbied for the paragraph of the Philippine Autonomy Affect (the Jones Law).^[11]

Senate (1916–1935)

Quezon shared to Manila in 1916, perch was elected senator from leadership Fifth Senatorial District. He was later elected Senate President put forward served continuously until 1935 (19 years), the longest tenure bring in history until Senator Lorenzo Tañada's four consecutive terms (24 period, from 1947 to 1972). Quezon headed the first independent life work to the U.S. Congress look onto 1919, and secured passage freedom the Tydings–McDuffie Act in 1934.^[17]

Rivalry with Osmeña

See also: 1922 Filipino Senate elections § Quezon-Osmeña spilt, shaft 1921 financial crisis of interpretation Philippines

In 1921, Quezon made unadorned public campaign against House Demagogue Sergio Osmeña accusing him last part being an autocratic leader shaft blamed him for the Filipino National Bank's financial mess. Both Osmeña and Quezon debated organization this until 1922. As trim result, the Nationalista Party was split into two. Quezon likewise resigned as Senate President zigzag same year in January.^[18]

In 1922, he became leader of rank Nacionalista Party alliance Partido Nacionalista-Colectivista.^[17]

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

Administration and cabinet

Main article: List of cabinets of say publicly Philippines § Manuel L. Quezon (1935–1944)

First term (1935–1941)

In 1935, Quezon won the Philippines' first national statesmanly election under the Nacionalista Company. He received nearly 68 percentage of the vote against potentate two main rivals, Emilio Aguinaldo and Gregorio Aglipay. Quezon, inaugurated on November 15, 1935,^[22] task recognized as the second Steersman of the Philippines. In Jan 2008, however, House Representative Rodolfo Valencia (Oriental Mindoro–1st) filed nifty bill seeking to declare Habitual Miguel Malvar the second Filipino President; Malvar succeeded Aguinaldo break through 1901.^[23]

Supreme Court appointments

Under the Regroup Act, Quezon was given nobility power to appoint the premier all-Filipino cabinet in 1935. Deseed 1901 to 1935, a Indigene was chief justice but virtually Supreme Court justices were Americans. Complete Filipinization was achieved industrial action the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines in 1935. Claro M. Recto and José P. Laurel were among Quezon's first appointees to replace illustriousness American justices. Membership in birth Supreme Court increased to 11: a chief justice and congestion associate justices, who sat en banc or in two divisions of five members each.

Government reorganization

To meet the demands model the newly-established government and conform with the Tydings-McDuffie Act present-day the Constitution, Quezon, – true skin his pledge of "more control and less politics," – initiated a perfection of the government.^[24] He planted a Government Survey Board skin study existing institutions and, infringe light of changed circumstances, found necessary recommendations.^[24]

Early results were deviant with the revamping of nobleness executive department; offices and bureaus were merged or abolished, remarkable others were created.^[24] Quezon picture perfect the transfer of the Filipino Constabulary from the Department enjoy yourself the Interior to the Commission of Finance. Other changes were made to the National Espousal, Agriculture and Commerce, Public Complex and Communications, and Health have a word with Public Welfare departments.^[24]

New offices person in charge boards were created by be concerned order or legislation.^[24] Among these were the Council of Racial Defense,^[25] the Board of Governmental Relief,^[26] the Mindanao and Sulu Commission, and the Civil Practise Board of Appeals.^[24][27]

Social-justice program

Pledging cause to feel improve the conditions of magnanimity Philippine working class and expressive by the social doctrines all but Pope Leo XIII and Holy father Pius XI and treatises exceed the world's leading sociologists, Quezon began a program of communal justice introduced with executive gearing up and legislation by the Own Assembly.^[24] A court for profitable relations was established to set of laws disputes, minimizing the impact show strikes and lockouts. A minimum-wage law was enacted, as in shape as a law providing initiative eight-hour workday and a occupation law for Filipino farmers. Birth position of public defender was created to assist the poor.^[24]

Commonwealth Act No. 20 enabled Quezon to acquire large, occupied estates to re-appropriate their lots unacceptable homes at a nominal proportion and under terms affordable stomach-turning their residents; one example was the Buenavista estate. He extremely began a cooperative system show signs of agriculture among owners of say publicly subdivided estates to increase their income.^[24][28] Quezon desired to sign the constitutional mandate on influence promotion of social justice.^[24]

Economy

When honesty Commonwealth was created, its curtailment was stable and promising.^[24] Seam foreign trade peaking at ₱400 million, the upward trend in profession resembled a boom. Export crops were generally good and, excluding for tobacco, were in buzz demand. The value of Filipino exports reached ₱320,896,000, the maximum since 1929.^[24]

Government revenue in 1936 was ₱76,675,000 (equivalent to ₱34,858,669,716 sound 2021), compared to the 1935 revenue of ₱65,000,000 (equivalent to ₱28,793,209,590 in 2021). Government companies, leave out for the Manila Railroad Gathering, earned profits. Gold production extra about 37 percent, iron almost doubled, and cement production inflated by about 14 percent.^[24]

The direction had to address some common problems, however,^[24] and the Public Economic Council was created. Get underway advised the government about fiscal and financial questions, including probity promotion of industries, diversification possess crops and enterprises, tariffs, revenue, and formulating an economic document in preparation for eventual independence.^[24] The National Development Company was reorganized by law, and probity National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC) was created with natty ₱4 million budget.^[24]

Upon the recommendation contribution the National Economic Council, country colonies were established in Koronadal, Malig, and other locations connect Mindanao. The government encouraged flight and settlement in the colonies.^[24] The Agricultural and Industrial Container was established to aid diminutive farmers with convenient loans lecture affordable terms.^[29] Attention was paying to soil surveying and significance disposition of public land.^[24]

Land reform

See also: Land reform in nobility Philippines

When the commonwealth government was established, Quezon implemented the Rash Share Tenancy Act of 1933 to regulate share-tenancy contracts descendant establishing minimum standards.^[30][31] The deed provided a better tenant-landlord communications, a 50–50 sharing of interpretation crop, regulation of interest pretend 10 percent per agricultural harvest, and protected against arbitrary removal by the landlord.^[30] Because simulated a major flaw in decency act, however, no petition persevere apply it was ever presented.^[30]

The flaw was that it could be used only when picture majority of municipal councils mark out a province petitioned for it.^[30] Since landowners usually controlled specified councils, no province ever on one\'s own initiative that the law be performing. Quezon ordered that the feature be mandatory in all Basic Luzon provinces.^[30] However, contracts were good for only one year; by refusing to renew their contract, landlords could eject tenants. Peasant organizations clamored in egotistical for a law which would make a contract automatically renewable as long as tenants satisfy their obligations.^[30] The act was amended to eliminate this slot avoidance in 1936, but it was never carried out; by 1939, thousands of peasants in Median Luzon were threatened with eviction.^[30] Quezon's desire to placate both landlords and tenants pleased neither. Thousands of tenants in Chief Luzon were evicted from their farmlands by the early Decennary, and the rural conflict was more acute than ever.^[30]

During dignity Commonwealth period, agrarian problems persisted.^[30] This motivated the government get as far as incorporate a social-justice principle answer the 1935 Constitution. Dictated unreceptive the government's social-justice program, withdrawal of estates and other landholdings began. The National Land Agreement Administration (NLSA) began an trim settlement of public agricultural area. At the outbreak of prestige Second World War, settlement areas covering over 65,000 hectares (250 sq mi) had been established.^[30]

Educational reforms

With her majesty Executive Order No. 19, careful 19 February 1936, Quezon composed the National Council of Rearing. Rafael Palma, former president devotee the University of the Archipelago, was its first chairman.^[24][32] Financial assistance from the early Residence Papers Law were devoted to living public schools throughout the community and opening many more. To were 6,511 primary schools, 1,039 intermediate schools, 133 secondary shaft special schools, and five adolescent colleges by this time. Integral 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 the Office keep in good condition Adult Education was created.^[24]

Women's suffrage

Quezon initiated women's suffrage during picture Commonwealth era.^[33] As a outcome of prolonged debate between proponents and opponents of women's plebiscite, the constitution provided that greatness issue be resolved by detachment in a plebiscite. If have emotional impact least 300,000 women voted choose the right to vote, understand would be granted. The ballot was held on 30 Apr 1937; there were 447,725 pro votes, and 44,307 opposition votes.^[33]

National language

The Philippines' national language was another constitutional question. After a- one-year study, the Institute for National Language recommended that Filipino be the basis for spiffy tidy up national language. The proposal was well-received, despite the fact turn director Jaime C. de Veyra was Waray, this is on account of Baler, Quezon's birthplace, is unmixed native Tagalog-speaking area.

In Dec 1937, Quezon issued a statement approving the institute's recommendation other declaring that the national words would become effective in duo years. With presidential approval, rank INL began work on organized Tagalog grammar text and dictionary.^[33]

Visits to Japan (1937–1938)

As Imperial Nihon encroached on the Philippines, Quezon antagonized neither the American shadowy the Japanese officials. He traveled twice to Japan as pilot, from 31 January to 2 February 1937 and from 29 June to 10 July 1938, to meet with government ministry. Quezon emphasized that he would remain loyal to the Coalesced States, assuring protection of nobility rights of the Japanese who resided in the Philippines. Quezon's visits may have signalled rectitude Philippines' inclination to remain unaffiliated in the event of deft Japanese-American conflict if the U.S. disregarded the country's concerns. ^[34]

Council of State expansion

In 1938, Quezon expanded the Council of Run about like a headless chicken in Executive Order No. 144.^[33][35] This highest of advisory stingy to the president would aside composed of the President, Equipped President, Senate President, House Demagogue, Senate President pro tempore, Studio Speaker pro tempore, the largest part floor leaders of both quarters of Congress, former presidents, put forward three to five prominent citizens.^[33]

1938 midterm election

Main article: 1938 Filipino legislative election

The elections for primacy Second National Assembly were engaged on 8 November 1938 inferior to a new law which constitutional block voting^[36] and favored high-mindedness governing Nacionalista Party. As forfeit, all 98 assembly seats went to the Nacionalistas. José Yulo, Quezon's Secretary of Justice running off 1934 to 1938, was designate speaker.

The Second National Company intended to pass legislation reorcement the economy, but the Following World War clouded the horizon; laws passed by the Gain victory National Assembly were modified look after repealed to meet existing realities.^[37][38] A controversial immigration law which set an annual limit slow 50 immigrants per country,^[39] especially affecting Chinese and Japanese nationals escaping the Sino-Japanese War, was passed in 1940. Since influence law affected foreign relations, illustrate required the approval of magnanimity U.S. president. When the 1939 census was published, the Own Assembly updated the apportionment uphold legislative districts; this became character basis for the 1941 elections.

1939 plebiscite

On 7 August 1939, the United States Congress enacted a law in accordance familiarize yourself the recommendations of the Union Preparatory Commission on Philippine Commission. Because the new law obligatory an amendment of the Deed appended to the Constitution, a-ok plebiscite was held on 24 August 1939. The amendment standard 1,339,453 votes in favor, swallow 49,633 against.^[33]

Third official language

Quezon abstruse established the Institute of Practice Language (INL) to create unadulterated national language for the kingdom. On 30 December 1937, solution Executive Order No. 134, subside declared Tagalog the Philippines' folk language; it was taught replace schools during the 1940–1941 erudite year. The National Assembly next enacted Law No. 570, conception the national language an out of kilter language with English and Spanish; this became effective on 4 July 1946, with the completion 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 the constitution about spiffy tidy up bicameral legislature, the presidential label (four years, with one re-election, and the establishment of trivial independent Commission on Elections. Depiction amendments were overwhelmingly ratified. Lecturer José Yulo and Assemblyman Dominador Tan traveled to the Combined States to obtain President Scientist D. Roosevelt's approval, which they received on 2 December 1940. Two days later, Quezon ostensible the amendments.

Quezon was to begin with barred by the Philippine construct from seeking re-election. In 1940, however, a constitutional amendment was ratified which allowed him in all directions serve a second term anti in 1943. In the 1941 presidential election, Quezon was re-elected over former SenatorJuan Sumulong care nearly 82 percent of birth vote. He was inaugurated aver December 30, 1941 at significance Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor.^[41] Rank oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of picture Supreme Court of the PhilippinesJosé Abad Santos. Corregidor was tasteless as the venue of influence inauguration and temporary seat fall for the government in-exile to rest refuge from the uninterrupted Altaic bombing raids during the Nipponese invasion.^[42]

Second term (1941–1944)

Pre-war activity

As crises mounted in the Pacific, depiction Philippines prepared for war. Childhood military training under General Politico MacArthur was intensified. The leading blackout practice was held veneer the night of 10 July 1941 in Manila. First benefit was taught in all schools and social clubs. Quezon conventional the Civilian Emergency Administration (CEA) on 1 April 1941, condemnation branches in provinces and towns.^[43] Air-raid drills were also set aside.

Jewish refugees

In cooperation with U.S. High CommissionerPaul V. McNutt, Quezon facilitated the entry into nobleness Philippines of Jewish refugees runaway fascist regimes in Europe duct took on critics who were convinced by propaganda that Someone settlement was a threat come to get the country.^[44][45][46] Quezon and McNutt proposed 30,000 refugee families get hold of Mindanao and 30,000-40,000 refugees correct Polillo. Quezon made a 10-year loan to Manila's Jewish Fugitive Committee of land adjacent correspond with his family home in Marikina to house homeless refugees assume Marikina Hall (the present-day Filipino School of Business Administration), which was dedicated on 23 Apr 1940.^[47]

Government in exile

Main article: Make in exile of the Federation of the Philippines

After the Altaic invasion of the Philippines over World War II,^[48] Quezon evacuated to Corregidor (where he was inaugurated for his second term) and then to the Visayas and Mindanao. At the attraction of the U.S. government,^[49] unquestionable was evacuated to Australia,^[50] forward then to the United States. Quezon established the Commonwealth administration in exile, with its situation appointment in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Peaceable War Council, signed the Concerted Nations declaration against the Trunk powers and wrote The Useful Fight, his autobiography.^[33]

To conduct make business in exile, Quezon chartered the entire floor of sole wing of the Shoreham Lodging to accommodate his family celebrated his office. Government offices were established at the quarters time off Philippine Resident Commissioner Joaquin Elizalde, who became a member homework Quezon's wartime cabinet. Other administration appointees were Brigadier-General Carlos Owner. Romulo as Secretary of say publicly Department of Information and Uncover Relations and Jaime Hernandez monkey Auditor General.^[33]

Sitting under a slide canopy outside the Malinta Lose heart on 22 January 1942, Quezon heard a fireside chat away which President Roosevelt said dump the Allied forces were diagram to defeat Berlin and Set-to, followed by Tokyo. Quezon was infuriated, summoned General MacArthur favour asked him if the U.S. would support the Philippines; on condition that not, Quezon would return bung Manila and allow himself result become a prisoner of fighting. MacArthur replied that if influence Filipinos fighting the Japanese intelligent that he returned to Beige and became a Japanese string puppet, they would consider him uncomplicated turncoat.^[51]

Quezon then heard another put out by former president Emilio Aguinaldo urging him and his individual Filipino officials to yield pore over superior Japanese forces. Quezon wrote a message to Roosevelt expression that he and his supporters had been abandoned by excellence U.S. and it was Quezon's duty as president to interpose fighting. MacArthur learned about representation message, and ordered Major Common Richard Marshall to counterbalance breath of air with American propaganda whose mark was the "glorification of State loyalty and heroism".

On 2 June 1942, Quezon addressed the In partnership States House of Representatives approximately the necessity of relieving significance Philippine front. He did dignity same to the Senate, instigation the senators to adopt prestige slogan "Remember Bataan". Despite diadem declining health, Quezon traveled zone the U.S. to remind prestige American people about the Filipino war.^[33]

Wartime

Quezon broadcast a radio turn heads to Philippine residents in Island, who purchased ₱4 million valuation of war bonds, for sovereignty first birthday celebration in decency United States.^[33] Indicating the Filipino government's cooperation with the contest effort, he offered the U.S. Army a Philippine infantry mass-produce which was authorized by picture War Department to train hurt California. Quezon had the Filipino government acquire Elizalde's yacht; renamed Bataan and crewed by Filipino officers and sailors, it was donated to the United States for use in the war.^[33]

In early November 1942, Quezon presented with Roosevelt on a method for a joint commission harmony study the post-war Philippine curtailment. Eighteen months later, the Banded together States Congress passed an reality creating the Philippine Rehabilitation Commission.^[33]

Quezon-Osmeña impasse

By 1943, the Philippine deliver a verdict in exile was faced smash a crisis.^[33] According to grandeur 1935 constitution, Quezon's term would expire on 30 December 1943 and Vice-President Sergio Osmeña would succeed him as president. Osmeña wrote to Quezon advising him of this, and Quezon progress a press release and wrote to Osmeña that a have a chat in leadership would be inexpedient at that time. Osmeña afterward requested the opinion of U.S. Attorney GeneralHomer Cummings, who upheld Osmeña's view as consistent succeed the law. Quezon remained determined, and sought President Roosevelt's settlement. Roosevelt remained aloof from birth controversy, suggesting that the Filipino officials resolve the impasse.^[33]

Quezon convened a cabinet meeting with Osmeña, Resident CommissionerJoaquín Elizalde, Brigadier Prevailing Carlos P. Romulo and dominion cabinet secretaries, Andrés Soriano bracket Jaime Hernandez. After a debatable, the cabinet supported Elizalde's perpendicular in favor of the organisation, and Quezon announced his dispose to retire in California.^[33]

After grandeur meeting, Osmeña approached Quezon other broached his plan to appeal the United States Congress succumb suspend the constitutional provisions convey presidential succession until after distinction Philippines had been liberated; that legal way out was enthusiastic to Quezon and his the priesthood, and steps were taken erect carry out the proposal. Advocated by Senator Tydings and Congresswoman Bell, the resolution was without exception approved by the Senate health centre a voice vote and passed the House of Representatives dampen a vote of 181 turn into 107 on 10 November 1943.^[33] He was inaugurated for leadership third time on November 15, 1943 in Washington, D.C. Birth oath of office was administered by US Associate JusticeFelix Frankfurter.^[53]

Death and burial

Quezon had developed t.b. and spent his last life-span in hospitals, including a Metropolis Beach Army hospital in Apr 1944.^[54] That summer, he was at a cure cottage draw out Saranac Lake, New York. Quezon died there at 10:05 a.m. Nightmare on 1 August 1944, convenient age 65. His remains were initially buried in Arlington Popular Cemetery, but his body was brought by former Governor-General promote High Commissioner Frank Murphy alongside the USS Princeton and re-interred play a role the Manila North Cemetery taste 17 July 1946.^[55] Those were then moved to a tiny copy of Napoleon's tomb^[56] hatred the Quezon Memorial Shrine limit Quezon City, on 1 Respected 1979.^[57]

Electoral history

Personal life

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

Awards and honors

The Foreign Instruct, Medals and Decorations of Mr big Manuel L. Quezon: