Talambuhay ni Manuel A. Roxas

Manuel A. Roxas

Manuel A. Roxas was born in January 1, 1892 in Capiz (now Roxas City) province of Capiz. His parents are Rosario Acuña  and Gerardo Roxas. In 1910 Roxas started taking up law at Young Men's Christian Association. He later transferred to the College of Law at the University of the Philippines in 1911. He topped 1913 bar examinations with a degree of 92%.

Roxas returned to his hometown Capiz in 1917 to continue the term of his grandfather as a councilor. He was elected as governor of the province of Capiz after two years. He was also elected as the Presiding Officer of the Governor's Convention which added to his growing popularity.

In 1922, Roxas was elected as representative of Capiz to the National Assembly. Manuel L. Quezon helped him become the Speaker of the Lower House. Roxas held this position until 1933. Roxas was elected as the representative of Capiz in the Constitutional Convention in 1937. He was appointed by Quezon as Secretary of Finance. Roxas quit his job to run for senator in 1941. He won but did not serve as the war in the Pacific broke. Roxas serve in the Philippine Army. He was captured by the Japanese in 1942 after Corrigidor surrendered. He was sentenced to death for refusing to cooperate, but pardoned  by Gen. Masaharu Homma. He was returned to his home on November 22, 1942. He served as the head of the Economic Planning Board under the administration of President Laurel. In 1944, the Japanese took the leaders of the Philippine government including Roxas, to Baguio City. But he escaped. Roxas immediately called Gen. MacArthur, who declared him innocent of collaboration. He was again bestowed the rank of Brigadier General.

In the elections of April 23, 1946, Roxas won as the president of the Philippines as against Sergio Osmena, with Elpidio Quirino as his vice-president. Roxas was the president when the United States granted the Philippines its independence on July 4, 1946.

Manuel Roxas was immediately instituted livelihood programs and created the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation and closely cooperated with the United States. In rehabilitating the country's economy. He pardoned all Filipinos charged with collaboration, including former president Jose P. Laurel. Under his presidency however, the persecution of the Communists continued, such as the banning from office of winning representatives who were believed to be Communists, like Luis Taruc and Jesus Lava. The two went to the mountains and led the Hukbalahap rebellion (Hukbong Bayan Labas sa Hapon, a former guerrilla group).

Manuel A. Roxas Contributions to the country

One of Roxas' programs was the Bell Trade Law, which gave Americans right to own properties in the Philippines. He also supported the retention of the American Military bases. Roxas did not finish his term of office, he died of hear atack during his speech at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga on April 15, 1948.

Manuel A. Roxas was married to Trinidad de Leon, a Carnival Queen in 1920 and daughter of Senator Ceferino de Leon of Bulacan. They had two children, Rosario and Gerardo who latter also went into politics.

Although he only served two years as president, his efforts to improve the economy will be remembered. He believed that the country's economy will benefit from close trade cooperation with America. He is also remembered for granting amnesty to Filipinos charged with collaboration with the Japanese. But his government is criticized for its tolerance in dealing with the Communists.