Jose P.

Laurel
anIntroduction:
Among Filipino leaders who dominated the national stage during the first six decades of the 20th
century, the one who most deserves the title of philosopher of democracy and economic nationalism
is the late Dr. Jose P. Laurel. Many Filipinos in those eventful decades spoke and wrote of democracy
as well as of economic nationalism, in the political, academic and educational fields, with competence
and sometimes brilliance, but none presented or committed to print a whole body of ideas, beliefs,
and convictions on these two great issues of the world of the 20th century better or more
comprehensively than the Sage of Tanauan whose name literally became a by-word in Philippine
politics, education, and economics in the years following the establishment of Philippine
Independence. More than any of his contemporaries, Dr. Laurel understood clearly the problem that
democracy must need to face in a Philippines that was for the first time politically sovereign since the
Filipinos brief experience with this form of government and political faith in 1898 to 1899. More than
any of his contemporaries, Dr. Laurel also understood sharply the role of economic and cultural
nationalism in the building of a democratic society in a developing country which is heir to all the
defects and weaknesses caused by long centuries of domination by Western powers.
Jos Paciano Laurel y Garca, (March 9, 1891 November 6, 1959) was the president of the Second
Philippine Republic, a Japanese puppet state when occupied during World War II, from 1943 to
1945. Since the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal (19611965), Laurel has been
recognized as a legitimate president of the Philippines. Jos Paciano Laurel y Garca was born on
March 9, 1891 in the town of Tanauan, Batangas. His parents were Sotero Laurel, Sr.
and Jacoba Garcia. His father had been an official in the revolutionary government of Emilio
Aguinaldo and a signatory to the 1898 Malolos Constitution.
Young Jose, industrious and energetic though a town pillo since his youngest years, worked part-time
as a chorister and altar boy, in order to earn some pocket money. When he was 18, and a third year
student in high school, he got a job as temporary clerk and part-time laborer in the Bureau of Forestry
with a wage of 40 centavos for half a day. A year later, he was promoted to a clerk-ship in the Code
Committee. Here he met an American who was to influence his thinking and early careerthe able and
noble-minded Thomas Atkins Street, who later became a member of the Supreme Court of the
Philippines. While a teen, Laurel was indicted for attempted murder when he almost killed a rival
suitor of his girlfriend with a Batangas fan knife. While studying and finishing law school, he argued
for and received an acquittal. Laurel received his law degree from the University of the
Philippines College of Law in 1915, where he studied under Dean George A. Malcolm, whom he
would later succeed on the Supreme Court. He then obtained a Master of Laws degree
from University of Santo Tomas in 1919. Laurel then attended Yale Law School, where he
obtained a Doctorate of Law. Laurel began his life in public service while a student, as a messenger in
the Bureau of Forestry then as a clerk in the Code Committee tasked with the codification of
Philippine laws. During his work for the Code Committee, he was introduced to its head, Thomas A.
Street, a future Supreme Court Justice who would be a mentor to the young Laurel. Upon his
return from Yale, Laurel was appointed first as Undersecretary of the Interior Department, then
promoted as Secretary of the Interior in 1922. In that post, he would frequently clash with the
American Governor- General Leonard Wood, and eventually, in 1923, resign from his position
together with other Cabinet members in protest of Wood's administration. His clashes with Wood
solidified Laurel's nationalist credentials.
He married Paciencia Hidalgo in 1911. The couple had nine children starting with: Jos Laurel, Jr.,
(August 27, 1912 March 18, 1998) Member of the Philippine National Assembly from Batangas from
1943 to 1944, Congressman from Batangas' Third District from 1941 to 1957 and from 1961 to 1972,
Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1954 to 1957 and from 1967 to 1971,
Assemblyman of Regular Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986, Member of the Philippine
Constitutional Commission of 1986 from June 2 to October 15, 1986 and a running-mate of Carlos P.
Garcia of the Nacionalista Party in Philippine presidential election of 1957, placed second in the vice-
presidential race against Diosdado Macapagal of Liberal Party (Philippines). Dr. Laurel started his
government career when he was eighteen, as a part-time labourer. He soon rose to become clerk in
the Code Committee, In 1925, he beat Antero Soriano of Cavite, a powerful politician, in the senatorial
elections. As a legislator, Dr. Laurel distinguished himself for his advocacy of woman suffrage, the
acceptance of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act, and his sponsorship of the Bill of Rights in the Philippine
Constitution. Other positions which he held in government were: Delegate to the Constitutional
Convention; Secretary of Justice, Supreme Court; and of course President of the Philippines. He was a
professional lecturer in many universities of Manila. He was chancellor emeritus of the National
Teachers College. He founded and was the first president of the Lyceum of the Philippines. Jose P.
Laurel was Secretary of Justice when the Pacific War broke out on December 8, 1941. On orders
of President Quezon, he continued as Commissioner of Justice under the Japanese-sponsored
Executive Commission. He wanted to flee to the mountains with other cabinet members but Quezon
had definitely ordered him to stay and protect and serve the people. Like all Filipinos who witnessed
the Death March from Bataan and the soldiers interment as prisoners of war in Capaz, Tarlac, Laurel
was shocked by the cruelty of the victors. Laurel's prewar, close relationship with Japanese officials (a
son had been sent to study at the Imperial Military Academy in Tokyo, and Laurel had received an
honorary doctorate from Tokyo University), placed him in a good position to interact with the
Japanese occupation forces. Laurel was among the Commonwealth officials instructed by the
Japanese Imperial Army to form a provisional government when they invaded and occupied the
country. He cooperated with the Japanese, in contrast to the decision of Filipino Chief Justice Abad
Santos. Because he was well-known to the Japanese as a critic of US rule, as well as having
demonstrated a willingness to serve under the Japanese Military Administration, he held a series of
high posts in 19421943. In 1943, he was shot by Philippine guerrillas while playing golf at Wack
Wack Golf and Country Club, but he quickly recovered. Later that year, he was selected, by the
National Assembly, under vigorous Japanese influence, to serve as President.

On October 14, 1943, Laurel was installed President. Forced by the Japanese, he declared war on the
United States and its allies. But when was told to rally the Filipinos to fight alongside the Japanese
against the Americans, Laurel balked. He was able to convince the Japanese that it might be
disastrous since the greater mass of the Filipinos were still loyal to the United States. Laurel stood his
ground on still other occasions. It is said that when Colonel Nagahama, chief of the military of police
demanded permission from him to arrest Brigadier General Manuel A. Roxas for some controversial
activities, Laurel refused. He had earlier named Roxas as a commissioner without portfolio to protect
him. On October 20, 1943 the Philippine-Japanese Treaty of Alliance was signed by Claro M. Recto,
who was appointed by Laurel as his Foreign Minister, and Japanese Ambassador to Philippines Sozyo
Murata. One redeeming feature was that no conscription was envisioned. Shortly after the
inauguration of the Second Philippine Republic, President Laurel, together with cabinet Ministers
Recto and Paredes flew to Tokyo to attend the Greater East Asia Conference which was an
international summit held in Tokyo, Japan from November 5 6, 1943, in which Japan hosted
the heads of state of various component members of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere. The conference was also referred to as the Tokyo Conference. The Conference addressed few
issues of any substance, but was intended from the start as a propaganda show piece, to illustrate the
Empire of Japan's commitments to the Pan-Asianism ideal and to emphasize its role as the
"liberator" of Asia from Western colonialism.

When President Laurel was told that Kempeitais, Japanese police, were about to raid Malacanang, he
ordered Col. Jesus Vargas of the Presidential guards to arm all his men and repel Japanese. He was not
collaborators but Patriots. It should be noted that Vargas, Laurel, Aquino, Recto and other Filipino
leaders who were compelled to serve in the puppet civil government established by the Japanese
conquerors were not collaborators as many postwar writers erroneously and unfairly called them.
These writers particularly Americans, had not witnessed or experienced the atrocities perpetrated by
the Japanese during their occupation of the Philippines and thus did not know actually that these
Filipino leaders risked their lives to protect the helpless Filipino people from enemy movement
against Japan. Also it should be recalled that president Quezon before leaving Manila for Corregidor
of December 24, 1941, gave last minute instructions to Laurel, Vargas and other Filipino leaders to
stay at their posts and serve under the Japanese conquerors in order to protect the defenceless
people during the dark period of enemy occupation. General MacArthur knew these presidential
instruction, and added in adice to them never to take the oath of allegiance to Japan. By their mock
collaboration with Japan, Dr. Laurel and other Filipino officials during the occupation period were able
to save thousands of Filipinos lives. If they had not accepted the offer of the Japanese High Command
to serve in the Executive Commission, most likely a Japanese military government would have been
established or a puppet civil government would have been created composed of General Artemio
Ricarte, Benigno Ramos and other pro-Japanese Filipinos, either way, it would have been calamitous
for the Filipino people. On January 28, 1942, a radio broadcast from Tokyo announced the
establishment of a new government in Manila consisting of Vargas, Laurel, Recto and other Filipino
leaders. This government was the Philippine Exclusive Commission. High Commissioner Sayre of the
US who was in Corregidor with President Quezon was alarmed. Quezon was worried, for the firmly
believed in the patriotism of Vargas and his companions. Immediately, he wrote a letter to General
MacArthur who was then in Bataan. Meanwhile, the Japanese-made Philippine Republic was in crisis.
Peace and order crumbled as the Japanese soldiers continued to oppress the people. Hunger was
widespread because of the Japanese were confiscating food from merchants and from producers.
Men were being forced to work in military bases and those accused of supporting guerrillas and being
pro-Americans were being arrested and tortured. As this disorder was going on, President Laurel
imposed Martial law on September 21, 1944. The following day, pressured by desperate Japanese
authorities, he was forced to declare war on the US. This was declaration was not effective, however,
because of the two reasons: first, the President did not submit the war declaration to the National
Assembly for approval; hence, it was illegal; and second, the President made it clear in the
Proclamation that Filipinos would not be forced to serve in the war; hence, the war declaration was of
no value. It seemed that President Laurel, knowing that the Filipinos would not fight for Japan
against US, issued the war declaration only to pacify the Japanese authorities and this save the people
from their wrath. In recognition of his distinguished performance in the public service Laurel was
conferred various awards and distinctions by different sectors both here and abroad. Among these are
Medallion, Knight CommanderGrand Cross of the Knights of Rizal; Medal, Kapulungan Sa Wika, Lions
International; Distinguished Service Award, Philippine Association of School Superintendents; Tribute
of Honor, Courageous Champion of Justice from the Philippine Association of Doctors of Civil Law;
Man of the Year, 1953, Philippines Free Press. Among awards and distinctions from abroad conferred
him are: Medallion, Instituto de Cultura Hispanica, Miembro de Honor; Medallion, A La Lealtad
Agrisolada, Isabela La Catolica; Medallion, King Frederic IX of Denmark; 2 Medallions, First Class Order
of the Rising Sun.

Biography
He was the first president of the second Republic of the Philippines. He became the president during
the Japanese occupation starting on October 14, 1943 until August 17, 1945.

Jose P. Laurel was born on March 9, 1891 in Tanauan, Batangas to Sotero Laurel and Jacoba Garcia.
The father of Jose was the Secretary of the Interior under Aguinaldos cabinet and also a signatory to
the Malolos Constitution.

He finished his high school education in Manila High School in 1911. Then he enrolled at the University
of Philippines College of Law, where he later earned his doctorate in Philosophy. Moreover, he
obtainedhis Licenciado en Jurisprudencia from the Escuala de Derecho. He was able to obatain a civil
law degree in Yale University in 1920. Moreover, he took special courses in international law at
Oxford University in England and University of Paris in France. He was married to Pacienca Hidalgo.

Achievements

Despite being President, Laurel was not able to do much since the Japanese continued to control the
government and the country.

Political History

1922: Secretay of the Interior

1925: Senator

1935: Associate Justice of Supreme Court

1941: Commisioner of Justice

Politics

Jose P. Laurel administration is also know as the Puppet Republic. Laurel was among the
commonwealth officials instructed by the Japanese Imperial Army to form a fake government when
they invaded and occupied the country. He willingly served under the Japanses Military
Administration.

Economics:

During Laurels term as President, hunger was the main problem. Prices of essential supplies rose. The
government exerted every effort to increase production and bring consumers goods under control.
However, the greediness of the Japanese prevails.

Programs (Reforms):
He formulated the 1943 constitutuion; a temporary constitution expected to last until the end of war,
this established a republican government with a strong executive that states the duties and the
obligation of the people rather than their rights and privileges.

Laurel issued an executive order organizing the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas
(KALIBAPI) as the sole political organization to back the government.

National Issues:

Filipino people were torn in half whether hes a hero or a traitor; others think that he was ready to
obey the orders of the Japanese Army for the maintenance of peace and order and the promotion of
well-being of our people on the contrast the idea that he did not make any negative actions against
the Japanese Government when they oocupied the Philippines.

Food Shortage; during his presidency, the Philippines faced a crippling food shortage
demanded much of laurel attention.

Transnational Issues:

Mickey Mouse money enforced by the Japanese Army it has very low value caused by severe inflation.
Inflation plagqued the country with the devaluation of the Japanese money, evidenced by a 60%
inflation experienced in January 1944.

Conclusion:

Jose P. Laurel was a President to be admired and be proud of the Filipino people, though some of his
intentions and motives were misinterpreted by few people he continued to do what is right for he
believes that he can make a difference in leading the Philippines during the invasion of the Japanese.

References:
http://joseplaurel.com/jose-p-laurel-history/
http://aboutfilipino.com/list-of-presidents-of-the-philippines/talambuhay-ni-jose-p-
laurel
http://jospacianolaurel.blogspot.com/2011/07/jose-paciano-laurel.html
Citations:
Philippines Presidents, Administration, Economy, Program, Natianal Issues and Transnational Issue
Website : WBPh www.academia.edu