Elpidio Quirino
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Template:Infobox Philippine president
Elpidio 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 Catholic and is the first president of Ilocano descent.
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Early life and career
Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to Mariano Quirino and Gregoria Rivera, a Spanish mestiza, 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, earning his law degree and practicing 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 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. He suffered the execution of his wife, Alicia Syquia, and three of his five children by the Japanese conquerors.
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
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.
Quirino's administration faced a serious threat in the form of the communist Hukbalahap (Huk) 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, Manila. He died of a heart attack on February 29, 1956. His death anniversary is observed on February 28.
External link
- The Philippine Presidency Project (http://www.pangulo.ph)
- Malacanang Museum - Elpidio Quirino (http://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_quirino.asp)
| Preceded by: Manuel Roxas | President of the Philippines 1948–1953 | Succeeded by: Ramon Magsaysay |