Manuel L. Quezon

 

Manuel L. Quezon was the second president of the Philippines and served from 1935 until his death in 1944. Here are some of his achievements and legacies during his presidency:

• Commonwealth government: Quezon is credited with the establishment of the Commonwealth government of the Philippines, which was a transition period between Philippine independence from the United States and the establishment of a fully independent Philippine Republic.
• Social Justice: He championed social justice and was committed to improving the welfare of the Filipino people, especially the poor and marginalized. He initiated various social welfare programs, such as the establishment of the National Development Company and the National Rice and Corn Corporation.
• Education: Quezon recognized the importance of education in nation-building, and his administration established the Department of Education and provided funding for the construction of schools and the training of teachers. He also established the Philippine Science High School, which is now one of the top science high schools in the country.
• Philippine Language: He advocated for the use of the Philippine language, and his administration made Tagalog the national language of the Philippines. He also pushed for the creation of a national language commission to develop and promote the use of the Philippine language.
• International relations: Quezon was a staunch defender of Philippine sovereignty and worked to establish diplomatic ties with other nations. He represented the Philippines in the Commonwealth conferences and lobbied for the recognition of Philippine independence.
• War Efforts: During World War II, Quezon led the Philippine government-in-exile and worked to rally support for the Philippine resistance movement. He also played a key role in securing military aid from the United States and other allies.
• Quezon also extended help to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Europe during the Holocaust. In 1939, he agreed to accept 10,000 Jewish refugees into the Philippines despite objections from the US government and some members of his own cabinet. Although the plan was not fully realized due to the outbreak of World War II, Quezon's humanitarian gesture towards the Jewish people is a testament to his compassion and empathy towards those who were suffering from oppression and discrimination. This act of kindness and generosity has been recognized by Israel, and Quezon was posthumously awarded the title "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem.

However, it's also important to note that Quezon's presidency was not without controversy. He was criticized for his handling of the Hukbalahap Rebellion, a communist insurgency that began during his presidency, and for his support of the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which limited Filipino independence and allowed the United States to retain significant control over the country. Nonetheless, Quezon's achievements and legacies as a leader have left a lasting impact on the Philippines.