Editing History of the Philippines (section)

== The Third Republic (1946–1965) ==
{{Main|History of the Philippines (1946–1965)}}
[[File:Philippine Independence, July 4 1946.jpg|thumb|upright|The Flag of the United States of America is lowered while the Flag of the Philippines is raised during the Independence Day ceremonies on July 4, 1946]]

The return of the Americans in spring 1945 was welcomed by nearly all the Filipinos, in sharp contrast to the situation in nearby Dutch East Indies. The collaborationist "Philippine Republic" set up by the Japanese under [[Jose P. Laurel]], was highly unpopular, and the extreme destructiveness of the Japanese Army in Manila in its last days solidified Japan's image as a permanent target of hate. The pre-war Commonwealth system was reestablished under [[Sergio Osmeña]], who became president in exile after President Quezon died in 1944. Osmeña was little-known and his [[Nacionalista Party]] was no longer such a dominant force. Osmeña supporters challenged the legitimacy of Manuel Roxas who had served as secretary to Laurel. MacArthur testified to Roxas' patriotism and the collaborationist issue disappeared after Roxas was elected in 1946 on a platform calling for closer ties with the United States; adherence to the new United Nations; national reconstruction; relief for the masses; social justice for the working class; the maintenance of peace and order; the preservation of individual rights and liberties of the citizenry; and honesty and efficiency of government.<ref>Bonifacio S. Salamanca,"Quezon, Osmena and Roxas and the American Military Presence in the Philippines." ''Philippine Studies'' 37.3 (1989): 301–316. [http://www.philippinestudies.net/ojs/index.php/ps/article/download/3532/6424 online]</ref> The United States Congress passed a series of programs to help rehabilitation, including $2 billion over five years for war damages and rehabilitation, and a new tariff law that provided for a 20-year transition from free trade to a low tariff with the United States. Washington also demanded that Americans would have equal rights with Filipinos in business activities, a special treatment that was resented. In 1947 the United States secured an agreement that it would keep its major military and naval bases. On the whole the transition to independence, achieved in 1946, was mostly peaceful and highly successful, despite the extreme difficulties caused by massive war damages.<ref>Paul H. Clyde, and Burton F. Beers, ''The Far East: A History of Western Impacts and Eastern Responses, 1830–1975'' (1975) pp 476–77.</ref> The special relationship with the United States remained the dominant feature until sharp criticism arose in the 1960s.<ref>Man Mohini Kaul, "Philippine Foreign Policy: Retrospect and Prospect." ''India Quarterly'' 33.1 (1977): 33–48.</ref>

=== Administration of Manuel Roxas (1946–1948) ===
[[File:ManuelRoxasfirstinauguration.jpg|thumb|Manuel Roxas inaugurated as president in 1946]]

Elections were held in April 1946, with [[Manuel Roxas]] becoming the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines. The United States [[Treaty of Manila (1946)|ceded its sovereignty]] over the Philippines on July 4, 1946, as scheduled. Ending the 381 years of colonial rule in the country that had lasted from April 27, 1565, since the Spanish settlement.<ref name="pinas" /><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/rpustreatyofgeneralrelations.htm|title=Treaty of General Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America|date=July 4, 1946|publisher=Chanrobles law library|access-date=November 30, 2007}}</ref> However, the [[Economy of the Philippines|Philippine economy]] remained highly dependent on [[Economy of the United States|United States markets]]—more dependent, according to United States high commissioner [[Paul McNutt]], than any single U.S. state was dependent on the rest of the country.<ref name="uslc-23">{{Harvnb|Dolan|1991-23}}</ref> The [[Philippine Trade Act]], passed as a precondition for receiving war rehabilitation grants from the United States,<ref name="beterano">{{cite web|title=Balitang Beterano: Facts about Philippine Independence|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/tl/tl012375.htm|publisher=Philippine Headline News Online|access-date=August 21, 2006|archive-date=June 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609104852/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/tl/tl012375.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> exacerbated the dependency with provisions further tying the economies of the two countries. A military assistance pact was signed in 1947 granting the United States a 99-year lease on designated [[military base]]s in the country.

During Roxas' term of office administration of the [[Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi|Turtle Islands]] and [[Mangsee Islands]] was transferred by the [[United Kingdom]] to the [[Republic of the Philippines]]. By an international treaty concluded in 1930 between the [[United States]] (in respect of its then overseas territory, the [[Philippine Archipelago]]) and the [[United Kingdom]] (in respect of its then protectorate, the [[North Borneo|State of North Borneo]]) the two powers agreed the international boundaries between those respective territories.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/b-gb-ust000012-0473.pdf| title = Convention between the United States and the United Kingdom done at Washington on 2 January 1930| website = [[Library of Congress]]}}</ref> In that treaty the United Kingdom also accepted that the Turtle Islands as well as the Mangsee Islands were part of the Philippines Archipelago and therefore under US sovereignty. However, by a supplemental international treaty concluded at the same time, the two powers agreed that those islands, although part of the Philippines Archipelago, would remain under the administration of the [[North Borneo|State of North Borneo]]'s [[British North Borneo Company]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.loc.gov/law/help/us-treaties/bevans/b-gb-ust000012-0473.pdf| title = Exchange of Notes between the United States and the United Kingdom done at Washington on 2 January 1930| website = [[Library of Congress]]}}</ref> The supplemental treaty provided that the British North Borneo Company would continue to administer those islands unless and until the United States government gave notice to the United Kingdom calling for administration of the islands to be transferred to the U.S. The U.S. never gave such a notice. On July 4, 1946, the [[Republic of the Philippines]] was born. It became the successor to the U.S. under the treaties of 1930. On July 15, 1946, the United Kingdom annexed the State of North Borneo and, in the view of the United Kingdom, became the sovereign power with respect to what had been the State of North Borneo.<ref>The North Borneo Cession Order in Council 1946</ref> On September 19, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines notified the United Kingdom that it wished to take over the administration of the [[Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi]] and the Mangesse Islands. Pursuant to a supplemental international agreement, the transfer of administration became effective on October 16, 1947.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exchange of Notes between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines regarding the transfer of the administration of the Turtle and Mangsee Islands to the Philippine Republic; Cmd 8320|url=http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/fullnames/pdf/1951/TS0058%20%281951%29%20CMD-8320%201948%2020%20APR%2C%20MANILA%3B%20NOTES%20BETWEEN%20GOV%20OF%20UK%20%26%20PHILIPPINES%20REGARDING%20TRANSFER%20OF%20ADMINISTRATION%20OF%20TURTLE%20%26%20MANGSEE%20ISLANDS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505194733/http://treaties.fco.gov.uk/docs/fullnames/pdf/1951/TS0058%20%281951%29%20CMD-8320%201948%2020%20APR%2C%20MANILA%3B%20NOTES%20BETWEEN%20GOV%20OF%20UK%20%26%20PHILIPPINES%20REGARDING%20TRANSFER%20OF%20ADMINISTRATION%20OF%20TURTLE%20%26%20MANGSEE%20ISLANDS.pdf|archive-date=May 5, 2018|access-date=January 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Peter C. Richards|date=December 6, 1947|title=New Flag Over Pacific Paradise|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19471206&id=Sf5UAAAAIBAJ&pg=4610,725646&hl=en|access-date=October 22, 2015|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref>

Roxas did not stay long in office because of a heart attack as he was speaking at Clark Air Base on April 15, 1948. He was succeeded by his vice president [[Elpidio Quirino]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080729040135/http://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_roxas.asp Philippine presidents " Manuel A. Roxas], Malacañang Museum (archived from [http://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_roxas.asp the original] on July 29, 2008).</ref>

=== Administration of Elpidio Quirino (1948–1953) ===
[[File:Elpidio Quirino family Malacanang Palace..webp|thumb|244x244px|President Quirino (in the center-left) and family in Malacañang Palace.]]
The Roxas administration granted general amnesty to those who had collaborated with the Japanese in World War II, except for those who had committed violent crimes. Roxas died suddenly of a heart attack in April 1948, and the vice president, [[Elpidio Quirino]], was elevated to the presidency. He ran for president in his own right in 1949, defeating [[José P. Laurel]] and winning a four-year term.

World War II had left the Philippines demoralized and severely damaged. The task of reconstruction was complicated by the activities of the Communist-supported [[Hukbalahap]] guerrillas (known as "Huks"), who had evolved into a violent resistance force against the new Philippine government. Government policy towards the Huks alternated between gestures of negotiation and harsh suppression. Secretary of Defense [[Ramon Magsaysay]] initiated a campaign to defeat the insurgents militarily and at the same time win popular support for the government. The Huk movement had waned in the early 1950s, finally ending with the unconditional surrender of Huk leader [[Luis Taruc]] in May 1954.

Enhancing President [[Manuel Roxas]]' policy of social justice to alleviate the lot of the common mass, President Quirino, almost immediately after assuming office, started a series of steps calculated to effectively ameliorate the economic condition of the people.<ref name="Molina, Antonio 19612">Molina, Antonio. ''The Philippines: Through the centuries''. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Cooperative, 1961. Print.</ref> After periodic surprise visits to the slums of [[Manila]] and other backward regions of the country, President Quirino officially made public a seven-point program for social security, to wit:<ref name="Molina, Antonio 19612" /> unemployment insurance, old-age insurance, accident and permanent disability insurance, health insurance, maternity insurance, state relief, and labor opportunity.

President Quirino also created the Social Security Commission, making Social Welfare Commissioner Asuncion Perez chairman of the same.<ref name="Molina, Antonio 19612" /> This was followed by the creation of the President's Action Committee on Social Amelioration, charged with extending aid, loans, and relief to the less fortunate citizens. Both the policy and its implementation were hailed by the people as harbingers of great benefits.<ref name="Molina, Antonio 19612" />

=== Administration of Ramon Magsaysay (1953–1957) ===
[[File:Prime-Minister-Pibulsonggram-Vice-President-Carlos-P-Garcia-President-Ramon.jpg|thumb|upright|President [[Ramon Magsaysay|Magsaysay]] (right) in 1957]]

As President, he was a close friend and supporter of the United States and a vocal spokesman against communism during the [[Cold War]]. He led the foundation of the [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization]], also known as the Manila Pact of 1954, that aimed to defeat communist-Marxist movements in Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Southwestern Pacific.

During his term, he made [[Malacañan Palace|Malacañang]] literally a "house of the people", opening its gates to the public. One example of his integrity followed a demonstration flight aboard a new plane belonging to the [[Philippine Air Force]] (PAF): President Magsaysay asked what the operating costs per hour were for that type of aircraft, then wrote a personal check to the PAF, covering the cost of his flight. He restored the people's trust in the military and in the government.

Magsaysay's administration was considered one of the cleanest and most corruption-free in modern Philippine history; his rule is often cited as the Philippines' "Golden Years". Trade and industry flourished, the [[Philippine military]] was at its prime, and the country gained international recognition in sports, culture, and foreign affairs. The Philippines placed second on a ranking of Asia's clean and well-governed countries.

Supported by the United States, Magsaysay was elected president in 1953 on a [[populism|populist]] platform. He promised sweeping economic reform, and made progress in [[Land reform in the Philippines|land reform]] by promoting the resettlement of poor people in the Catholic north into traditionally Muslim areas. Though this relieved population pressure in the north, it heightened religious hostilities.<ref name="uslc-26">{{Harvnb|Dolan|1991-26}}</ref> Remnants of the communist [[Hukbalahap]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nootherwayout00jeff |url-access=registration |quote=huk rebellion. |title=No Other Way Out: States and Revolutionary Movements, 1945–1991 |last1=Goodwin |first1=Jeff |date=June 4, 2001 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-62948-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/nootherwayout00jeff/page/119 119]}}</ref> were defeated by Magsaysay.<ref name="Molina, Antonio 1961">Molina, Antonio. ''The Philippines: Through the Centuries''. Manila: University of Santo Tomas Cooperative, 1961. Print.</ref><ref>Carlos P. Romulo and Marvin M. Gray, The Magsaysay Story (1956), is a full-length biography</ref> He was extremely popular with the common people, and his death in an [[1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash|airplane crash]] in March 1957 dealt a serious blow to national morale.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809261,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418020304/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,809261,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 18, 2010 |title=THE PHILIPPINES: Death of a Friend |date=March 25, 1957 |magazine=Time |access-date=November 30, 2010 }}</ref> At this time, the Philippines joined the United Nations in defending South Korea from North Korean invasions. The Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize South Korean independence and was the first to send military units to fight on [[South Korea]]'s behalf.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083430 |title=SoKor thanks anew PH military assistance in Korean War |work=Philippine News Agency |access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/18/20/south-korea-honors-filipinos-who-fought-in-korean-war-on-70th-anniversary |title=South Korea honors Filipinos who fought in Korean War on 70th anniversary |publisher=ABS-CBN News |access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref>

=== Administration of Carlos P. Garcia (1957–1961) ===
[[File:Carlos P Garcia second inauguration, 1957.jpg|thumb|left|Garcia inaugurated as president in 1957]]

[[Carlos P. Garcia]] succeeded to the presidency after Magsaysay's death, and was elected to a four-year term in the election of November that same year. His administration emphasized the nationalist theme of "Filipino first", arguing that the Filipino people should be given the chances to improve the country's economy.<ref name="cgarcia">{{cite web|title=Carlos Garcia: Unheralded nationalist |url=http://www.philippinenews.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=555a3972999c72ad3bc05bbadf8225f6 |publisher=Philippine News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026052206/http://www.philippinenews.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=555a3972999c72ad3bc05bbadf8225f6 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |access-date=December 20, 2007}}</ref>

Garcia successfully negotiated for the United States' relinquishment of large military land reservations. However, his administration lost popularity on issues of government corruption as his term advanced.<ref>{{Harvnb|Lacsamana|1990|p=184}}</ref>

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=== Administration of Diosdado Macapagal (1961–1965) ===
[[File:Diosdado Macapagal departing for Malacañang.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Diosdado Macapagal departing for Malacañang]]
In the presidential elections held on November 14, 1961, Vice President [[Diosdado Macapagal]] defeated re-electionist President [[Carlos P. Garcia]] and [[Emmanuel Pelaez]] as a vice president. President [[Macapagal]] changed the [[Independence Day (Philippines)|independence day of the Philippines]] from July 4 to June 12.

The [[Agricultural Land Reform Code]] (RA 3844) was a major Philippine [[land reform]] law enacted in 1963 under President Macapagal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1963/ra_3844_1963.html|title=Republic Act No. 3844 : The Agricultural Land Reform Code of the Philippines|date=August 8, 1963}}</ref>