History of the Philippines (1946–1965)

The years from 1946 to 1965 were important for the Philippines as it began life as an independent country. On July 4, 1946, the Philippines became its own nation, no longer ruled by another country. This time is called the Third Republic of the Philippines, a period of new beginnings and challenges.

During these years, the country was led by different leaders who worked to build a strong and peaceful nation. One of these leaders was Diosdado Macapagal, who served as president from 1961 to 1965. Under his leadership, many changes happened to improve life for the people and the country's future.

The Third Republic ended in 1973 with the ratification of the 1973 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, marking the close of an important chapter in the Philippines' story. This time was full of efforts to grow and develop the nation after gaining independence.

Recognition of independence

Not to be confused with Philippine Declaration of Independence or Independence Day (Philippines).

See also: Treaty of Manila (1946) and Republic Day (Philippines)

The United States gave the Philippines its independence on July 4, 1946. That day, President Harry S. Truman officially recognized the Philippines as an independent country.

Leaders from the United States and the Philippines signed a treaty on the same day. The treaty confirmed the Philippines' independence and ended American control. However, the U.S. kept some military bases in the country. Some U.S. laws still affected the Philippines. For example, the Bell Trade Act let the U.S. control certain goods from the Philippines.

Independence Day shifted

Main article: Independence Day (Philippines)

Today, the Philippines celebrates Independence Day on June 12. This marks the day Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain in 1898. From 1946 to 1961, the country celebrated Independence Day on July 4. Later, President Macapagal changed the date back to June 12. He made it a public holiday and renamed the July 4 celebration as Philippine Republic Day.

Roxas administration (1946–1948)

When lawmakers met in 1945, they chose Manuel Roxas as Senate President. In the Philippine national elections of 1946, Roxas ran for president as a candidate of the liberal wing of the Nacionalista Party. He won with 54 percent of the votes and became the first president when the Philippines became independent from the United States on July 4, 1946.

In 1947, an agreement let the United States keep some military bases in the Philippines for many years. Roxas believed this helped protect the country. However, he faced some problems during his time in office.

Roxas’s term ended early due to a health issue in 1948. He was succeeded by his vice president, Elpidio Quirino.

Quirino administration (1948–1953)

Elpidio Quirino became president of the Philippines on April 17, 1948, after the death of Manuel Roxas. He was elected in a contest that many thought was unfair. During his time as president, the country faced challenges from a group called the Hukbalahap, who wanted change through force.

Quirino worked on rebuilding the country after World War II and received help from the United States. However, many problems, especially in the countryside, were not fixed, and his time as president was seen as full of unfair practices. When war broke out in Korea in 1950, Filipino soldiers were sent to help. Quirino tried to be re-elected in 1953 but lost to Ramon Magsaysay.

His daughter Vicky often helped with duties usually done by a First Lady because Quirino did not have a wife.

Magsaysay administration (1953–1957)

In the 1953 election, Magsaysay became president, beating the current leader Elpidio Quirino. He was helped quietly by American officials and money. When he took office, he wore a barong tagalog, a traditional Philippine shirt, which no president had done before.

As president, Magsaysay was a strong friend of the United States and spoke out against unfair ideas during the Cold War. He helped start the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, also called the Manila Pact of 1954, to support peace in parts of Asia and Oceania. During his time in office, he opened Malacañang Palace to the public, making it feel like a "house of the people."

Magsaysay was known for his honesty. Once, after a test flight in a new plane from the Philippines Air Force (PAF), he asked how much the flight cost and paid for it himself with a personal check.

On March 16, 1957, Magsaysay traveled to Cebu City to speak at schools. That night, he boarded a plane to return to Manila. Sadly, early on March 17, the plane was reported missing and later found to have crashed on Mount Manunggal in Cebu. Most everyone on board did not survive, except for one newspaperman, Nestor Mata. At the time, Vice President Carlos P. Garcia was visiting Australia and became president for the rest of Magsaysay's term.

About 2 million people came to honor Magsaysay at his burial on March 22, 1957.

Garcia administration (1957–1961)

After President Ramón Magsaysay died in a plane crash in 1957, Carlos Garcia became the president. He was later elected in the Election 1957.

During his time, Garcia worked on an agreement that reduced the lease time for U.S. bases in the Philippines. He also supported a policy called "Filipino First," which helped local businesses grow. He tried to be careful with money during his presidency. In the Election 1961, he tried to be elected again but lost to Diosdado Macapagal, his former vice-president.

Macapagal administration (1961–1965)

In the 1961 presidential election, Diosdado Macapagal won by a close vote. He worked to help the country's economy by letting the value of the Philippine peso change freely. However, some groups in government stopped many of his plans.

During his time as president, Macapagal changed farming laws to help people who worked the land. He also moved the celebration of the Philippines' independence from July 4th to June 12th, the day in 1898 when Emilio Aguinaldo announced freedom from Spain. Macapagal lost his bid for another term in 1965 to Ferdinand Marcos.