Manuel Roxas
Manuel Roxas is the first president of the third republic from May 28, 1946, to April 15,
1948. Our country has recently witnessed the ramifications of the war, and Roxas has held the
aftermath of the war as President of the Philippines. At this time, our economy had been badly
mangled and decimated by a destructive war and suffered a further significant loss of human
capital that was essential for a seamless transition toward total independence. To solve
socioeconomic problems, he reorganized the government and proposed a wide-sweeping
legislative program. His significant objectives were to industrialize the Philippines, maintain
strong collaboration and special connections with the United States, and uphold the rule of law
and order. On March 14, 1947, the Treaty of General Relations was signed, which benefited both
countries (America and the Philippines), where the Philippines' independence was recognized,
and the Americans surrendered their authority. The programs under his administration were the
Philippine Trade Act of 1946 or Bell Trade Act, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946 or
Tydings Rehabilitation Act, Parity Rights, Military Bases Agreement, and Adopted ProAmerican Policy. He also proposed a central bank for the Philippines, later established by
Republic Act No. 265. Also, he enacted the Republic Act No. 34, which established the 70-30
sharing arrangements and regulated share-tenancy contracts to contribute to agrarian reform.
Roxas had achieved his objectives in repairing the Philippines; however, scandals, graft, and
corruption in the government were still rampant. In summary, during Roxas' administration, he
concentrated on mending and rehabilitating the Philippines' economy from the effects of the war.
Elpidio Quirino
After Roxas died, Quirino became the President of the Philippines from April 17, 1948,
to December 30, 1953. He focused on reconstructing the Philippines' economy through
industrialization, restoring public trust in the administration, and restoring peace. During his
administration, he established Action Committee on Social Amelioration which promoted the
citizens' welfare in the rural districts, and Social Security Study Commission. The Communistled Hukbalahap (Huk) movement posed a severe challenge to President Quirino's administration.
However, to bring the insurgency to an end, Quirino's government reached out to the leaders and
members of HUKBALAHAP or Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon and the Pambansang
Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid or PKM. An amnesty for the Huks was granted, resulting in a
considerable improvement in the country's insurgency problem. The PACSA (President's Action
Committee on Social Amelioration), ACCFA (Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing
Administration), Rural banks, Labor Management Advisory Board, and the Presidential
Advisory Body were among the policies and programs he established. However, the fundamental
social problems remained unsolved, and his administration was said to be tainted with
widespread graft and corruption. Quirino's six years as President were highlighted by significant
wartime reconstruction, economic advances, and outstanding US economic help.
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay started his term from December 30, 1953, to March 17,
1957, as the seventh president of the Philippines. Magsaysay's focus is on the people and helping
the rural masses. He established the Presidential Complaint and Action Commission, where
people can complain, and their complaints will be investigated and recommendations for
remedial actions by different government agencies. Magsaysay's policies, programs or
achievements during his administration were the Social Security Law of 1954, the Agricultural
Tenancy Act of the Philippines, the Land Reform Act of 1955, Agrarian reform which created
the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration), breaking the backbone of the
HUK Movement, restoration of people's confidence on the government, establishing of South
East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), negotiations with the Japanese government regarding
the reparations agreement that was signed in Manila and imposed high moral standard for public
officials. He also successfully defeated the communist-led Hukbalahap (Huk) movement.
The similarities between the three administrations are that they wanted to improve the
Philippines' state and economy. Moreover, agrarian policy initiatives were also part of the three
administrations' objectives. Other than that, the three administrations dealt with the Huk
Rebellion, but only Ramon Magsaysay defeated them.
Sources:
(2022, November 11). Philippines | History, Map, Flag, Population, Capital, & Facts. Retrieved
November 17, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines
Agrarian Reform History. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2022, from
https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-reform-history/
Duque, O. R. (2001, March 1). Elpidio quirino(1948 1953). Retrieved November 17, 2022, from
https://www.slideshare.net/olhen/elpidio-quirino1948-1953
Elpidio Quirino | president of Philippines. (2022, November 12). Retrieved November 17, 2022,
from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elpidio-Quirino
Manuel A. Roxas (1946-1948). (2010, April 5). Retrieved November 17, 2022, from
https://bloomspresidents.wordpress.com/manuel-a-roxas/
Third Republic | GOVPH. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2022, from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/third-republic/
Zaballero, R. (2001, March 1). Roxas administration (DBS-Manila). Retrieved November 17,
2022, from https://www.slideshare.net/rominagrace/roxas-administration-dbsmanila
https://econ.upd.edu.ph/perse/?p=7329
https://econ.upd.edu.ph/perse/?p=5055
https://davidwurfel.ca/the-development-of-post-war-philippine-land-reform-political-andsociological-explanations