JAPANESE OCCUPATION AND THE SECOND PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

The Occupation The Japanese military authorities immediately began organizing a new government structure in the Philippines. Among them was the effort to protect the people from harshness of Japanese rule (an effort that Quezon himself had advocate), protection of family and personal interest, and a belief that Philippine nationalism would be advanced by solidarity with fellow asians. Japanese Military Administration. On January 3, 1942, the Japanese Military Administration was establish by the Japanese High Command for the purpose of supervising the popular, economic, and cultural affairs of the conquered nation. By order of the Japanese High Command, the officials and employees of the Commonwealth Government were compelled to remain at their posts. Philippine Executive Commission. The philippine Executive Commission or PEC was established on January of 1942 with Jorge B. Vargas as its first Chairman. The PEC formally abolished all political parties on Dec. 8, 1942 by virtue of the proclamation No. 109 creating the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (Organization in the service of the New Philippines) or better known then as the KALIBAPI The KALIBAPI was established to aim at the mental education, moral generation, physical invigoration, and economic rehabilitation of the Philippines under the guidance of the Japanese military Administration. Framing a Constitution. On may 6, 1943, Japanese premier Hideki Tojo during a visit to the Philippine pledge to establish the republic of the Philippines. The 1943 Constitution. The 1943 Constitution was drafted by a committe appointed by the Philippine Executive Commission, the body establish by the Japanese to administer the Philippines which had established a government-in-exhile. In mid-1942 Japanese premier HIDEKI TOJO had promised the filipinos the honor of independence which meant that the commission would be supplanted by a formal republic. Second Philippine Republic. The second Philippine Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Tagalog: Republika ng Pilipinas) was state in the Philippines established in 1943 under Japanese occupation. General Masaharu Homma dissolved the commonwealth of the Philippines and established the Philippine executive Commission, a caretaker government, with Vargas as its first chairman. Jose Paciano Laurel Y Garcia (Mar. 9, 1891 Nov. 6 1959) was the president of the republic of the Philippines during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Laurel was not subsequently officially recognized as a Philippine president until the administration of Diosdado Macapagal. Political Career. 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 Committe tasked with the codification of Philippine laws.

Assumption of Presidency. In October of 1943, Laurel was selected, by the National Assembly, under vigorous Japanese influenced. The Presidency of Laurel understandably remains one of the most controversial in Philippine history. Presidential Candidate and Senator. On August 15, 1945, the Japanese forces surrendered to the United States. Gen. Douglas McArthur ordered Laurel arrested for collaborating with the japanese. Retirement and Death. Laurel considered his election to the Senate as vindication of his reputation. He declined to run for re-election in 1957. HUKBALAHAP MOVEMENT Japanese occupation of the Philippines was opposed by increasingly effective underground and guerilla activity that ultimately reached larged-scale proportions. Sergio Osmea (September 9, 1878 October 19, 1961) was the fourth President of the Philippines. He was Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, and to the Presidency upon Quezons death in 1944. He was the founder of Nacionalista Party. Early Life and Career. A Chinese-mestizo, Osmea y Suico. He took his elementary education in the University of San Carlos and graduated in 1892. Political Career. In 1904, the American colonial administration appointed him governor of Cebu. Two Years later he was elected governor Cebu. While governor, he ran for election to the first Philippine assembly of 1907 and was elected Speaker of that body. Osmea was only 29 and already the highest ranking Filipino Official. Presidency Osmea became president if the Commonwealth in on Quezons death in 1944. He returned to the Philippines the same year with General Douglas McArthur and the liberation forces. After the war, Osmea restored the Commonwealth government and the various executive departments. He continued the fight for Philippine Independence.