Elpidio Quirino

Elpidio Quirino
6th President of the Philippines 2nd President of the 3rd Republic
In office April 18, 1948[1] – December 30, 1953
Vice President	Fernando Lopez (1949-1953)
Preceded by	Manuel Roxas
Succeeded by	Ramon Magsaysay
3rd Vice President of the Philippines 2nd and Last Vice President of the Commonwealth 1st Vice President of the 3rd Republic
In office May 28, 1946 – April 17, 1948
Preceded by	None[2]
Succeeded by	None[3]
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
In office September 16, 1946 – April 17, 1948
Preceded by	Restored[4]
Succeeded by	Joaquin Miguel Elizalde
Born	November 16, 1890(1890-11-16) Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Died	February 29, 1956 (aged 65) Quezon City
Political party	Liberal Party
Spouse	Alicia Syquia
Occupation	Lawyer
Religion	Roman Catholic
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Elpidio Rivera Quirino (November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956) was the sixth President of the Philippines. He served from April 17, 1948 to December 30, 1953. Elpidio Quirino was a Roman Catholic and was the first president of Ilocano descent. He also has Spanish ancestry.

Early life and career

Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to Mariano Quirino and Gregoria Rivera, Quirino spent his early years in Aringay, La Union. He received secondary education at Vigan High School, then went to Manila where he worked as junior computer in the Bureau of Lands and as property clerk in the Manila police department. He graduated from Manila High School in 1911 and also passed the civil service examination, first-grade.

Quirino attended the University of the Philippines. In 1915, he earned his law degree from the university's College of Law, and was admitted to the bar later that year. He was engaged in the private practice of law until he was elected as member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1919 to 1925, then as Senator from 1925 to 1931. He then served as Secretary of Finance and Secretary of the Interior in the Commonwealth government.

In 1934, Quirino was a member of the Philippine Independence mission to Washington D.C., headed by Manuel L. Quezon that secured the passage in the United States Congress of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. This legislation set the date for Philippine independence by 1945. Official declaration came on July 4, 1946.

During the Japanese invasion during World War II, he became a leader of the underground rebellion and was captured and imprisoned. During the Battle of Manila in 1945, his wife, Alicia Syquia, and three of his five children were killed as they were fleeing their home.

After the war, Quirino continued public service, becoming president pro tempore of the Senate. In 1946, he was elected first vice president of the independent Republic of the Philippines, serving under Manuel Roxas. He also served as secretary of state.

Presidency

President Quirino presenting a gift to U.S. President Harry S. Truman at the Oval Office on September 13, 1951. Ambassador Joaquin Elizalde looks on.

Quirino assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, taking his oath of office two days after the death of Manuel Roxas. The next year, he was elected president on his own right for a four-year term as the candidate of the Liberal Party, defeating Jose P. Laurel of the Nacionalista Party.

Since Quirino was a widower, his surviving daughter Vicky would serve as the official hostess and perform the functions traditionally ascribed to the First Lady.

Quirino's administration faced a serious threat in the form of the communist Hukbalahap movement. Though the Huks originally had been an anti-Japanese guerrilla army in Luzon, communists steadily gained control over the leadership, and when Quirino's negotiation with Huk commander Luis Taruc broke down in 1948, Taruc openly declared himself a Communist and called for the overthrow of the government.

His six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States. Basic social problems, however, particularly in the rural areas, remained unsolved, and his administration was tainted by widespread graft and corruption.

Although ill, Quirino ran for re-election in 1953, but he was overwhelmingly defeated by Ramon Magsaysay.

Post-presidency

Following his failed bid for re-election, Quirino retired to private life in Quezon City, Metro Manila. He died of a heart attack on February 29, 1956.

Relatives

TV host and fitness expert Cory Quirino is the granddaughter of Elpidio Quirino. The husband of singer Kuh Ledesma, Luisito "Louie" Gonzalez is a grandson.

External links

• The Philippine Presidency Project
• "QUIRINO IS DEAD; FILIPINO LEADER; President, 1948-54, Avoided Extremes in Guiding New Nation After the War". New York Times (1956-03-01). Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
• Malacanang Museum - Elpidio Quirino

Notes

References

• Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.