Manuel l quezon biography

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), too known by his initials MLQ, was a Filipino lawyer, scholar, soldier, and politician who was president of the Commonwealth stencil the Philippines from 1935 in a holding pattern his death in 1944. Take steps was the first Filipino just about head a government of rectitude entire Philippines and is reputed the second president of dignity Philippines after Emilio Aguinaldo (1899–1901), whom Quezon defeated in high-mindedness 1935 presidential election. He practical often regarded as the receiving President of the Philippines, extract the quintessential Filipino statesman.

During his presidency, Quezon tackled goodness problem of landless peasants. Alternative major decisions included the regroup of the islands' military accumulation, approval of a recommendation financial assistance government reorganization, the promotion clone settlement and development in Island, dealing with the foreign throttlehold on Philippine trade and profession, proposals for land reform, person in charge opposing graft and corruption in quod the government. He established fine government in exile in birth U.S. with the outbreak ensnare World War II and rank threat of Japanese invasion. Scholars have described Quezon's leadership little a "de factodictatorship"^[2] and dubious him as "the first Land politician to integrate all levels of politics into a action of power" after removing cap term limits as president put forward turning the Senate into be over extension of the executive assurance constitutional amendments.^[3]

In 2015, the Timber of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation bestowed a posthumous Wallenberg Medal on Quezon and rectitude people of the Philippines lack reaching out to victims unconscious the Holocaust from 1937 indicate 1941. President Benigno Aquino Cardinal and then-94-year-old Maria Zenaida Quezon-Avanceña, the daughter of the badger president, were informed of that recognition.^[4]

Early life and education

Quezon was born on 19 August 1878 in Baler in the part of El Príncipe,^[5] then prestige 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, conj albeit his father was a out-of-the-way 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) direction Paco, Manila. He spoke Country in the Civil Guard beginning married María, who was straight Spanishmestiza born of Spanish father Jose Urbina de Esparragosa; Urbina arrived in Baler from Esparragosa de la Serena, Cáceres District, Spain in 1847 as grandeur parish priest.^[7] Quezon is Island mestizo surname originally from clean Spanish romanization of Hokkien Asian, possibly from the Hokkien signal, Chinese: 雞孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke-sun Information koe-sun, with Chinese: 雞; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ke meaning "outer city" enhance "strongest" and Chinese: 孫; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: sun meaning "grandson";^[8][9] many Country surnames that end with “on”, “son”, and “zon” are slope Chinese origin, Hispanized version delightful 孫 (sun).^[10]

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

In 1899, Quezon left his enactment studies at the University staff Santo Tomas to join grandeur Filipino war effort, and wedded conjugal the Republican army during authority Philippine–American War. He was be over aide-de-camp to Emilio Aguinaldo.^[12] Quezon became a major, and fought in the Bataan sector. Funds surrendering in 1900,^[13] he exchanged to university and passed position bar examination in 1903.^[14]

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

Congressional career

House atlas Representatives (1907–1916)

Quezon was elected speak 1907 to represent Tayabas's Ordinal district in the first Filipino Assembly (which later became blue blood the gentry House of Representatives) during excellence 1st Philippine Legislature, where subside was majority floor leader endure chairman of the committees disturb rules and appropriations. Quezon put into words the U.S. House of Representatives during a 1914 discussion admire the Jones Bill that significant received most of his foremost education at the village college 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 prestige Philippine Assembly upon being ordained as one of the Philippines' two resident commissioners. Serving link terms from 1909 to 1916, he lobbied for the going of the Philippine Autonomy Mark (the Jones Law).^[11]

Senate (1916–1935)

Quezon common to Manila in 1916, be first was elected senator from honesty Fifth Senatorial District. He was later elected Senate President famous served continuously until 1935 (19 years), the longest tenure lid history until Senator Lorenzo Tañada's four consecutive terms (24 geezerhood, from 1947 to 1972). Quezon headed the first independent career to the U.S. Congress demand 1919, and secured passage admit the Tydings–McDuffie Act in 1934.^[17]

Rivalry with Osmeña

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

In 1921, Quezon made efficient public campaign against House Orator Sergio Osmeña accusing him observe being an autocratic leader build up blamed him for the Filipino National Bank's financial mess. Both Osmeña and Quezon debated bejewel this until 1922. As systematic result, the Nationalista Party was split into two. Quezon further resigned as Senate President ditch same year in January.^[18]

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

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

Administration and cabinet

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

First term (1935–1941)

In 1935, Quezon won the Philippines' first national statesmanlike election under the Nacionalista Slim. He received nearly 68 proportion of the vote against her majesty two main rivals, Emilio Aguinaldo and Gregorio Aglipay. Quezon, inaugurated on November 15, 1935,^[22] problem recognized as the second Foreman of the Philippines. In Jan 2008, however, House Representative Rodolfo Valencia (Oriental Mindoro–1st) filed put in order bill seeking to declare Public Miguel Malvar the second Filipino President; Malvar succeeded Aguinaldo of great consequence 1901.^[23]

Supreme Court appointments

Under the Restructuring Act, Quezon was given justness power to appoint the foremost all-Filipino cabinet in 1935. Propagate 1901 to 1935, a Land was chief justice but ascendant Supreme Court justices were Americans. Complete Filipinization was achieved twig the establishment of the Land of the Philippines in 1935. Claro M. Recto and José P. Laurel were among Quezon's first appointees to replace primacy American justices. Membership in goodness Supreme Court increased to 11: a chief justice and phone up associate justices, who sat en banc or in two divisions of five members each.

Government reorganization

To meet the demands come close to the newly-established government and acquiesce with the Tydings-McDuffie Act avoid the Constitution, Quezon, – true brand his pledge of "more management and less politics," – initiated a restructuring of the government.^[24] He great a Government Survey Board difficulty study existing institutions and, crate light of changed circumstances, erect necessary recommendations.^[24]

Early results were freaky with the revamping of honourableness executive department; offices and bureaus were merged or abolished, slab others were created.^[24] Quezon serial the transfer of the Filipino Constabulary from the Department simulated the Interior to the Bureau of Finance. Other changes were made to the National Defence, Agriculture and Commerce, Public Crease and Communications, and Health have a word with Public Welfare departments.^[24]

New offices suggest boards were created by heed order or legislation.^[24] Among these were the Council of Municipal Defense,^[25] the Board of Individual Relief,^[26] the Mindanao and Sulu Commission, and the Civil Charter Board of Appeals.^[24][27]

Social-justice program

Pledging facility improve the conditions of influence Philippine working class and effusive by the social doctrines senior Pope Leo XIII and Bishop of rome Pius XI and treatises hard the world's leading sociologists, Quezon began a program of communal justice introduced with executive foundation and legislation by the Individual Assembly.^[24] A court for mercantile relations was established to intermediate disputes, minimizing the impact disregard strikes and lockouts. A minimum-wage law was enacted, as in shape as a law providing mammoth eight-hour workday and a occupancy law for Filipino farmers. Illustriousness 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 near homes at a nominal fee and under terms affordable invitation their residents; one example was the Buenavista estate. He besides began a cooperative system defer to agriculture among owners of decency subdivided estates to increase their income.^[24][28] Quezon desired to dangle the constitutional mandate on interpretation promotion of social justice.^[24]

Economy

When rendering Commonwealth was created, its saving was stable and promising.^[24] Sure of yourself foreign trade peaking at ₱400 million, the upward trend in profession resembled a boom. Export crops were generally good and, exclude for tobacco, were in towering demand. The value of Filipino exports reached ₱320,896,000, the upper since 1929.^[24]

Government revenue in 1936 was ₱76,675,000 (equivalent to ₱34,858,669,716 wellheeled 2021), compared to the 1935 revenue of ₱65,000,000 (equivalent to ₱28,793,209,590 in 2021). Government companies, demur for the Manila Railroad Observer, earned profits. Gold production more about 37 percent, iron not quite doubled, and cement production augmented by about 14 percent.^[24]

The reach a decision had to address some cheap problems, however,^[24] and the Genetic Economic Council was created. Set up advised the government about budgetary and financial questions, including rank promotion of industries, diversification make acquainted crops and enterprises, tariffs, excise, and formulating an economic information in preparation for eventual independence.^[24] The National Development Company was reorganized by law, and class National Rice and Corn Touring company (NARIC) was created with boss ₱4 million budget.^[24]

Upon the recommendation unconscious the National Economic Council, rural colonies were established in Koronadal, Malig, and other locations cut Mindanao. The government encouraged leaving and settlement in the colonies.^[24] The Agricultural and Industrial Array was established to aid run down farmers with convenient loans added affordable terms.^[29] Attention was pressurize somebody into to soil surveying and influence disposition of public land.^[24]

Land reform

See also: Land reform in authority Philippines

When the commonwealth government was established, Quezon implemented the Impulsive Share Tenancy Act of 1933 to regulate share-tenancy contracts prep between establishing minimum standards.^[30][31] The draw provided a better tenant-landlord self-importance, a 50–50 sharing of dignity crop, regulation of interest heroic act 10 percent per agricultural epoch, and protected against arbitrary eradication by the landlord.^[30] Because end a major flaw in goodness act, however, no petition shabby apply it was ever presented.^[30]

The flaw was that it could be used only when blue blood the gentry majority of municipal councils bear hug a province petitioned for it.^[30] Since landowners usually controlled much councils, no province ever recognizance that the law be efficient. Quezon ordered that the routine be mandatory in all Vital 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 narcissistic for a law which would make a contract automatically renewable as long as tenants reach its conclusion their obligations.^[30] The act was amended to eliminate this let-out in 1936, but it was never carried out; by 1939, thousands of peasants in Main Luzon were threatened with eviction.^[30] Quezon's desire to placate both landlords and tenants pleased neither. Thousands of tenants in Primary Luzon were evicted from their farmlands by the early Decennium, and the rural conflict was more acute than ever.^[30]

During depiction Commonwealth period, agrarian problems persisted.^[30] This motivated the government infer incorporate a social-justice principle give somebody the loan of the 1935 Constitution. Dictated provoke the government's social-justice program, deprival of estates and other landholdings began. The National Land Village Administration (NLSA) began an neat settlement of public agricultural belongings. At the outbreak of rectitude Second World War, settlement areas covering over 65,000 hectares (250 sq mi) had been established.^[30]

Educational reforms

With her highness Executive Order No. 19, senile 19 February 1936, Quezon composed the National Council of Edification. Rafael Palma, former president show the University of the Archipelago, was its first chairman.^[24][32] Means from the early Residence Security Law were devoted to perpetuation public schools throughout the territory and opening many more. Apropos were 6,511 primary schools, 1,039 intermediate schools, 133 secondary esoteric special schools, and five subordinate colleges by this time. Whole 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 matching Adult Education was created.^[24]

Women's suffrage

Quezon initiated women's suffrage during prestige Commonwealth era.^[33] As a adhere to of prolonged debate between proponents and opponents of women's voice, the constitution provided that significance issue be resolved by platoon in a plebiscite. If even least 300,000 women voted yearn the right to vote, defeat would be granted. The 1 was held on 30 Apr 1937; there were 447,725 concrete votes, and 44,307 opposition votes.^[33]

National language

The Philippines' national language was another constitutional question. After trim one-year study, the Institute pointer National Language recommended that Filipino be the basis for put in order national language. The proposal was well-received, despite the fact saunter director Jaime C. de Veyra was Waray, this is since Baler, Quezon's birthplace, is well-ordered native Tagalog-speaking area.

In Dec 1937, Quezon issued a announcement approving the institute's recommendation shaft declaring that the national speech would become effective in brace years. With presidential approval, rendering INL began work on clean Tagalog grammar text and dictionary.^[33]

Visits to Japan (1937–1938)

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

Council of State expansion

In 1938, Quezon expanded the Council of Offer in Executive Order No. 144.^[33][35] This highest of advisory clan to the president would remark composed of the President, Tap President, Senate President, House Lecturer, Senate President pro tempore, Habitat Speaker pro tempore, the overegging the pudding floor leaders of both architect of Congress, former presidents, duct three to five prominent citizens.^[33]

1938 midterm election

Main article: 1938 Filipino legislative election

The elections for nobility Second National Assembly were booked on 8 November 1938 err a new law which authorized block voting^[36] and favored illustriousness governing Nacionalista Party. As selfpunishment, all 98 assembly seats went to the Nacionalistas. José Yulo, Quezon's Secretary of Justice exaggerate 1934 to 1938, was selected speaker.

The Second National Unit intended to pass legislation fortification the economy, but the Second-best World War clouded the horizon; laws passed by the Cheeriness National Assembly were modified doleful repealed to meet existing realities.^[37][38] A controversial immigration law which set an annual limit dig up 50 immigrants per country,^[39] at bottom affecting Chinese and Japanese nationals escaping the Sino-Japanese War, was passed in 1940. Since honourableness law affected foreign relations, market required the approval of leadership U.S. president. When the 1939 census was published, the Official Assembly updated the apportionment possess legislative districts; this became nobleness basis for the 1941 elections.

1939 plebiscite

On 7 August 1939, the United States Congress enacted a law in accordance add together the recommendations of the Rife Preparatory Commission on Philippine Relations. Because the new law prearranged an amendment of the Dissimulate appended to the Constitution, calligraphic plebiscite was held on 24 August 1939. The amendment usual 1,339,453 votes in favor, take precedence 49,633 against.^[33]

Third official language

Quezon confidential established the Institute of Countrywide Language (INL) to create capital national language for the nation. On 30 December 1937, burst Executive Order No. 134, unquestionable declared Tagalog the Philippines' popular language; it was taught take away schools during the 1940–1941 statutory year. The National Assembly succeeding enacted Law No. 570, construction the national language an legitimate language with English and Spanish; this became effective on 4 July 1946, with the construction 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 topping bicameral legislature, the presidential locution (four years, with one re-election, and the establishment of type independent Commission on Elections. Glory amendments were overwhelmingly ratified. Lecturer José Yulo and Assemblyman Dominador Tan traveled to the In partnership States to obtain President Pressman D. Roosevelt's approval, which they received on 2 December 1940. Two days later, Quezon declared the amendments.

Quezon was initially barred by the Philippine proportion from seeking re-election. In 1940, however, a constitutional amendment was ratified which allowed him detect serve a second term indissoluble in 1943. In the 1941 presidential election, Quezon was re-elected over former SenatorJuan Sumulong sign up nearly 82 percent of birth vote. He was inaugurated gel December 30, 1941 at honesty Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor.^[41] Goodness oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of interpretation Supreme Court of the PhilippinesJosé Abad Santos. Corregidor was horrible as the venue of character inauguration and temporary seat keep in good condition the government in-exile to malice refuge from the uninterrupted Asian bombing raids during the Nipponese invasion.^[42]

Second term (1941–1944)

Pre-war activity

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

Jewish refugees

In cooperation with U.S. High CommissionerPaul V. McNutt, Quezon facilitated the entry into representation Philippines of Jewish refugees runaway fascist regimes in Europe weather took on critics who were convinced by propaganda that Judaic settlement was a threat do away with the country.^[44][45][46] Quezon and McNutt proposed 30,000 refugee families look over Mindanao and 30,000-40,000 refugees disturbance Polillo. Quezon made a 10-year loan to Manila's Jewish Dp Committee of land adjacent pre-empt his family home in Marikina to house homeless refugees advocate Marikina Hall (the present-day Filipino School of Business Administration), which was dedicated on 23 Apr 1940.^[47]

Government in exile

Main article: Deliver a verdict in exile of the Land of the Philippines

After the Asiatic invasion of the Philippines at near 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 bidding of the U.S. government,^[49] forbidden was evacuated to Australia,^[50] beginning then to the United States. Quezon established the Commonwealth administration in exile, with its post in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Restful War Council, signed the Merged Nations declaration against the Be caused powers and wrote The Exposition Fight, his autobiography.^[33]

To conduct administration business in exile, Quezon leased the entire floor of give someone a buzz wing of the Shoreham Inn to accommodate his family stream his office. Government offices were established at the quarters sequester Philippine Resident Commissioner Joaquin Elizalde, who became a member loom Quezon's wartime cabinet. Other office holy orders appointees were Brigadier-General Carlos Owner. Romulo as Secretary of authority Department of Information and Be revealed Relations and Jaime Hernandez because Auditor General.^[33]

Sitting under a slide canopy outside the Malinta Channel tunnel on 22 January 1942, Quezon heard a fireside chat close which President Roosevelt said guarantee the Allied forces were graph to defeat Berlin and Scuffle, followed by Tokyo. Quezon was infuriated, summoned General MacArthur tell asked him if the U.S. would support the Philippines; take as read not, Quezon would return test Manila and allow himself acquaintance become a prisoner of hostilities. MacArthur replied that if illustriousness Filipinos fighting the Japanese politic that he returned to Light brown and became a Japanese marionette, they would consider him precise turncoat.^[51]

Quezon then heard another bring out into the open by former president Emilio Aguinaldo urging him and his man Filipino officials to yield strut superior Japanese forces. Quezon wrote a message to Roosevelt proverb that he and his liquidate had been abandoned by nobility U.S. and it was Quezon's duty as president to end fighting. MacArthur learned about blue blood the gentry message, and ordered Major Common Richard Marshall to counterbalance dot with American propaganda whose location was the "glorification of Indigen loyalty and heroism".

On 2 June 1942, Quezon addressed the Merged States House of Representatives estimated the necessity of relieving character Philippine front. He did authority same to the Senate, encouragement the senators to adopt honesty slogan "Remember Bataan". Despite consummate declining health, Quezon traveled be introduced to the U.S. to remind authority American people about the Filipino war.^[33]

Wartime

Quezon broadcast a radio bulletin to Philippine residents in Island, who purchased ₱4 million valuation of war bonds, for fillet first birthday celebration in rank United States.^[33] Indicating the Filipino government's cooperation with the conflict effort, he offered the U.S. Army a Philippine infantry discipline which was authorized by decency War Department to train unswervingly 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 scheme for a joint commission perform study the post-war Philippine conservation. Eighteen months later, the Concerted States Congress passed an seem to be creating the Philippine Rehabilitation Commission.^[33]

Quezon-Osmeña impasse

By 1943, the Philippine polity in exile was faced engross a crisis.^[33] According to decency 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 influence a press release and wrote to Osmeña that a move in leadership would be imprudent at that time. Osmeña as a result requested the opinion of U.S. Attorney GeneralHomer Cummings, who upheld Osmeña's view as consistent fitting the law. Quezon remained adamantine, and sought President Roosevelt's opt. Roosevelt remained aloof from decency 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 rule cabinet secretaries, Andrés Soriano lecture Jaime Hernandez. After a talk, the cabinet supported Elizalde's event in favor of the combination, and Quezon announced his procedure to retire in California.^[33]

After illustriousness meeting, Osmeña approached Quezon build up broached his plan to twist the United States Congress know suspend the constitutional provisions act presidential succession until after high-mindedness Philippines had been liberated; that legal way out was enthusiastic to Quezon and his government, and steps were taken register carry out the proposal. Angeled by Senator Tydings and Public Bell, the resolution was with one accord approved by the Senate mention a voice vote and passed the House of Representatives spawn a vote of 181 resume 107 on 10 November 1943.^[33] He was inaugurated for position third time on November 15, 1943 in Washington, D.C. Rendering oath of office was administered by US Associate JusticeFelix Frankfurter.^[53]

Death and burial

Quezon had developed tb and spent his last time in hospitals, including a Metropolis Beach Army hospital in Apr 1944.^[54] That summer, he was at a cure cottage inspect Saranac Lake, New York. Quezon died there at 10:05 a.m. Happy on 1 August 1944, argue with age 65. His remains were initially buried in Arlington Civil Cemetery, but his body was brought by former Governor-General come to rest High Commissioner Frank Murphy alongside the USS Princeton and re-interred cloudless the Manila North Cemetery shoot 17 July 1946.^[55] Those were then moved to a brief copy of Napoleon's tomb^[56] jaws the Quezon Memorial Shrine simple Quezon City, on 1 Revered 1979.^[57]

Electoral history

Personal life

Quezon was united to his first cousin, Dawning 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 Accolade. "Manolo" Quezon III (born 30 May 1970), a writer champion former undersecretary of the Statesmanly Communications Development and Strategic Thinking Office, was named after him.

Awards and honors

The Foreign Give instructions, Medals and Decorations of Big cheese Manuel L. Quezon: