On this day (November 16) in PH History: Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines, was born in the town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Born into the esteemed Quirino family, Elpidio was the third of nine children to Mariano Quirino and Gregoria Rivera. His journey in education began in the private school of Maestro Anastacio Aquino in Aringay, La Union. Over the years, he furthered his studies at various institutions, including the Manila High School and the University of the Philippines, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1915.
Quirino’s political career commenced in 1919 when he was elected as the representative from the first District of Ilocos Sur. His political trajectory continued with his election as a senator in 1925 and later as secretary of finance in 1934 under Governor-General Frank Murphy. He played a crucial role in the Constitutional Convention and the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act in 1934.
His political prowess led him to various roles, including secretary of the interior in 1936, senator-at-large in 1941, and president pro tempore of the senate in 1945. Elpidio Quirino assumed office as Vice-President of the Commonwealth on May 28, 1946, and later became Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
Following the untimely death of President Manuel Roxas, Quirino took the oath of office as president on April 17, 1948. The subsequent year, he secured a four-year term as president under the Liberal Party. His presidency was characterized by post-war reconstruction, economic growth, and strengthened diplomatic ties.
Elpidio Quirino’s administration focused on economic reconstruction, assistance to farmers, and the establishment of the country’s central bank. Known for his diplomatic skills, he negotiated accords with nations worldwide, addressing peace and security concerns in Asia.
Despite his achievements, Quirino faced defeat in the November 1953 elections against President Ramon Magsaysay. He retreated to private life, settling in Novaliches, Quezon City, overlooking the La Mesa Dam.
Elpidio Quirino’s personal life was marked by tragedy when his wife Alicia Syquia and three of his children fell victim to the South Manila massacre in February 1945. He remarried and had two surviving children, Tomas and Victoria.
On February 29, 1956, Elpidio Quirino passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy of political acumen, economic progress, and diplomatic finesse in the annals of Philippine history.
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
On November 8, 1949, then sitting Chief Executive Elpidio Quirino was elected formally as the sixth president of the Philippines for a four-year term and assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, following the death of President Manuel A. Roxas on April 15 of the same year.
Quirino’s six-year presidency was marked by notable post-war reconstruction, general economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States.
It was in the realm of diplomacy where he excelled, impressing foreign heads of states and world statesmen from American, European and Asian countries.
He negotiated various treaties and agreements with other nations as well as discussed common problems of peace and security in the Asian region.
His administration’s major objectives included economic reconstruction — focusing on mitigating the sufferings of indigent families, helping the farmers market their crops and save them from loan sharks, and strengthening the rural banking system of the Philippines to facilitate credit utilities in rural areas.
It was during the Quirino administration when the country’s Central Bank was established.
Quirino, who also became congressman and senator prior to his presidency, was also a known member of the Philippine independence commission sent to Washington, D.C., which secured the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act by the American Congress. He was also a member of the convention that wrote the draft of the 1935 Constitution.
After being defeated by President Ramon Magsaysay in the November 1953 national elections, Quirino went back to private life at his then new home near the scenic La Mesa Dam in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Quirino died of heart attack on Feb. 29, 1956 at the age of 65.
Aquino repeals 4 PDs issued during Martial Law
Meanwhile, on November 8, 1986, President Corazon Aquino signed Executive Order No. 59, repealing four (4) Presidential Decrees issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in connection with the martial law proclamation of September 21, 1972.
These Presidential Decrees were:
1. Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1404 , signed on June 9, 1978, entitled, “Further amending article 125 of the revised penal code”, empowered the Marcos Administration to authorize longer periods for the delivery of persons arrested for the crimes or offenses enumerated in the said decree.
2. PD No. 1836 , signed on June 16, 1981, entitled, “Defining the conditions under which the President may issue order of arrest or commitment orders during the Martial Law or when the Priviledge of te Writ of Habeas Corpus is suspended”, empowered the former President to issue arrest or commitment orders during a state of martial law or when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was suspended against persons whose arrest or detention was, in his judgment, required by public safety and as a means to quell invasion, insurrection or rebellion or imminent danger thereof.
3. PD No. 1877 , signed on July 21, 1983, entitled, “Providing for the issuance of a preventive detention action and for other purposes”, authorized the authorities to issue preventive detention actions against persons ascertained to be participants in the commission of the crimes enumerated therein.
4. PD No. 1877-A , signed on July 23, 1983, is an amendment to PD No. 1877.
Reference: Philippine News Agency
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)