Manuel Roxas

**Manuel Acuna Roxas** (January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was a Filipino politician. He was the President of the Philippine Commonwealth (1946) and the first President of the Third Philippine Republic (1946 - 1948). He was a Minister of the Philippine Commonwealth, Secretary of Finance (1938 – 1941) and Executive Secretary of Third Philippine Republic (1942). The Philippine Commonwealth was abolished after he was elected as President of the Third Philippine Republic.

## Early life and career

Roxas was born in January 1892. After studying as a lawyer at the University of the Philippines, he started his career as a secretary to Judge Cayetano Arellano. He began his political career as councilor at Capiz, later on becoming governor in the province. He also became a speaker at congress. During this time, Roxas became co-chairman of the OsRox mission together with Sergio Osmeña and achieved the _Hare Hawes Cutting Independence Act_ of 1933. This act promised to grant Philippine independence after 10 years but because of threats on imposed tariffs, especially in agriculture, it was highly debated on American and Filipino congress. In the end, it was decided that Philippine independence is only possible if the Philippines accept to keep U.S. military bases, a decision rejected by the Philippine Congress.

## Presidency

Because of World War II, the Philippines had a difficult time rehabilitating its economy. After he was elected president, Roxas established the _Rehabilitation Finance Corporation_, which helped many Filipinos who lost their homes, and helped create the _Central Bank of the Philippines_, which funded the lack of food supply in the country. The creation of the central bank was not fully implemented until President Elpidio Quirino's term. He also requested help from the United States under the _Philippine Rehabilitation Act_ and the _Tydings Rehabilitation Act_. This was used in turn to fix damaged roads, bridges, and buildings.

In consequence for receiving rehabilitation funds from the U.S., Roxas was forced to accept the preconditioned Philippine Trade Act or Bell Trade Act of 1946. He was also forced to sign the Military Bases Agreement which proposed to keep 23 military bases of the United States under 99 years inside the country.

Despite his efforts of rehabilitation, the Roxas administration was known for its corruption, rise of unemployment, and failure of land policies that led to the outbreak of the Hukbalahap rebellion.

## Death

His presidency ended when he died on April 15,1948 while delivering a speech at the _Clark Air Force Base_ because of a heart attack. His vice president, Elpidio Quirino, became president.

## Other websites

- The Philippine Presidency Project
- A Country Study: Philippines
- Manuel A. Roxas Elementary School

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **honorific-prefix**: His Excellency
- **name**: Manuel A. Roxas
- **image**: Manuel A Roxas.jpg
- **office**: 5th President of the Philippines
<small>(1st President of the Third Philippine Republic)</small>
- **vicepresident**: Elpidio Quirino
- **term start**: May 28, 1946
- **term end**: April 15, 1948
- **predecessor**: Sergio Osmeña
- **successor**: Elpidio Quirino
- **office2**: Senate President of the Philippines#List of Senate Presidents, 2nd President of the Senate of the Philippines
- **president2**: Sergio Osmeña
- **term start2**: July 9, 1945
- **term end2**: May 25, 1946
- **predecessor2**: Manuel L. Quezon
- **successor2**: José Avelino
- **office3**: Senator of the Philippines
- **term start3**: July 9, 1945
- **term end3**: May 25, 1946
- **office4**: Secretary of Finance (Philippines), Secretary of Finance
- **term start4**: August 21, 1941
- **term end4**: December 29, 1941
- **president4**: Manuel L. Quezon
- **predecessor4**: Antonio de las Alas
- **successor4**: Serafin Marabut
- **office5**: Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives#List of Speakers, 2nd Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
- **term start5**: 1922
- **term end5**: 1933
- **predecessor5**: Sergio Osmeña
- **successor5**: Quintin Paredes
- **office6**: Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Philippine House of Representatives from Capiz' Legislative districts of Capiz#1st District, 1st District
- **term start6**: 1921
- **term end6**: 1938
- **predecessor6**: Antonio Habana
- **successor6**: Ramon A. Arnaldo
- **office7**: Capiz, Governor of Capiz
- **term start7**: 1919
- **term end7**: 1921
- **birth name**: Manuel Roxas y Acuña
- **birth place**: Roxas, Capiz, Capiz <small>(now Roxas City)</small>, Capiz, Capiz Province, Spanish Empire, Captaincy General of the Philippines
- **death place**: Clark Air Base, Philippines
- **death cause**: Heart attack
- **resting place**: Manila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
- **party**: Liberal Party (Philippines), Liberal
- **otherparty**: Nacionalista Party, Nacionalista (before 1945)
- **profession**: Lawyer, Soldier
- **children**: Gerardo Roxas, Gerardo Manuel Roxas
Ruby Róxas
- **alma mater**: University of Manila
University of the Philippines College of Law
- **signature**: Manuel Roxas autograph.svg
- **nickname**: Manuel
- **branch**: Philippine Commonwealth Army
- **serviceyears**: 1941–1945
- **battles**: World War II
 * Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Japanese Occupation of the Philippines (1942 – 1945)
 * Philippines campaign (1944 – 1945), Philippines Campaign (1944 – 1945)