Carlos P.

Garcia (1957-1961)
CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines agreed to numerous conditions set by the United States as a requirement for the
Philippines to receive war reconstruction assistance.
The flow of imports had greatly increased making the Philippines heavily dependent of imported
products. Imports coming from the United States were also allowed to enter the country without
tariffs, the Philippines also promised not to change its exchange rate from $1 is to P2.
The condition of the Philippines before the administration of Garcia was the Philippines is just
recovering from the after effects of World War 2, with this the Philippines experienced several
economic challenges.

PRIMARY PROBLEMS
The main problem that was facing the Garcia administration was the current economic situation
during that time. Corruption was also prevalent in the country since he had just inherited the
Magsaysay administration. Several cases of corruption were found within the government offices
during his administration.
The imports that were coming in the country greatly outnumbered the exports that we were
shipping out of the country, making the Philippines highly dependent on foreign products that
required dollars to purchase.

PROMISES DURING THE ELECTIONS AND INAUGURATION

reorienting our national economic policies toward doing first things first
must first produce here, by and for ourselves, enough to provide for the fundamental needs of
life food, shelter and clothing
step up the tempo of establishing the agricultural industries to utilize with the least delay the
abundant natural resources
to generate here the machinery for the entire Philippine agro-industrial structure
The Government will continue its low-cost housing projects and its land redistribution and
resettlement program
we shall pursue our health development activities especially in the barrios and other rural areas
The education of our youth should henceforth lay emphasis on science, industrial, and
agricultural technology.
Together with the increasing material abundance, we need to strengthen our moral fiber

LAWS AND PROGRAMS

Filipino First Policy
This is the law that was passed by the Garcia administration, to give local businessmen more
priority over foreign investors. The government sector would help local businessmen are entering
industry that was filled with foreign competitors and give them aid and sometimes financial
assistance. Products of Filipino businessmen were also preferred over foreign products.
BohlenSerrano Agreement
The Bohlen-Serrano Agreement was the law that shortened the original 99 year lease of US bases
here in the Philippines to 25 years, the agreement was renewable for periods only up to 5 years.
Austerity Program
The Austerity Program was implemented by Garcia in order to curt the rampant graft and
corruption within the country. The program centered on wise spending, industry, thrift,
trustworthiness, integrity and honesty. He also urged people to avoid luxury items and to live a
simple life and reminded government officials and employees corruption destroys the peoples
trust in the government.
Republic Cultural Awards
The Garcia administration also put emphasis on cultural revival, due to the colonization of many
countries he felt that the revival of the Filipino culture was needed. The award was given to
Filipino artists, scientist, historians and writers.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS

Filipino First Policy
The people that benefitted from this policy are the businessmen of the Philippines, they had an
increase support and protection from the government. This enabled them to help improve our
economy at that time. Foreign investors were not totally ignored they could still participate in
investing in businesses in the country but there should be a 60-40 ratio of ownership within the
business.
Austerity Program
The austerity program benefited the common Filipino and the Garcia administration, because of
the implementation of this program the government was able to regain some of the trust that they
lost due to the rampant corruption in the country. While the Filipinos were able to once again
trust the government.
Republic Cultural Awards
Filipino artist could now get the recognition for their works that were left ignored. The main
focus of the society at the time was improving the economy.

HOLES AND SHORTCOMINGS OF THE LAWS

Filipino First Policy
The policy centered on the economic progress that the masa was not affected at all by this.
This led to much criticism about his concern for the common Filipino.
Austerity Program
Even though the Austerity Program was launched in order to help eliminate the corruption within
the government. The result was very unsuccessful since the problem carried over to the next
administration.
ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES
Garcia was criticized by foreign countries, especially the United States for his anti-foreign
policies. There was also corruption withing the Bureau of Internal Revenue in which he had the
implement the Austerity Program.
SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE
The focus of the Garcia administration focused on economic independence from foreign interest.
Garcia wanted the Philippines to be an industrialized, self sustaining country that would not have
to heavily rely on the products of foreign companies.
Garcia also tried implanting his Austerity Program in hopes of eliminating corruption in his
administration all the while bolstering moral fiber to the government leaders and employees.
At the end of his term Garcia was criticized for his lack of program for the Filipino common man
which was the focus of the next president Macapagal that is why he lost the election to him.
GRADE (DLSU SYSTEM)
We gave President Carlos Garcia a 3.5 because we believe that he was able to accomplish
something most of the presidents failed to do. He helped the Philippines rise from being a victim
of war to a self-sustaining country that was considered one of the richest countries during his
time.
During his administration the Philippines was one of the innovators of South East Asia. He
promoted the reliance of our own product and at the same time promoted our products in the
global competition. He also had the Austerity Program even though it failed. It still showed how
much he really wanted to improve the lives of the Filipinos.
Was there legislation on land reform under this administration?
There was no legislation passed in his term but he continued to implement the
land reform programs of President Magsaysay.
Carlos P. Garcia

The man known for his "Filipino First" policy was a native of Talibon, Bohol. Carlos Garcia was
born on November 4, 1896 to spouses Policronio Garcia and Ambrosia Polistico. Garcia studied
at the Talibon Elementary School and later at the Cebu Provincial High School. Fired with an
ambition to pursue higher education, he enrolled at the Siliman University in Dumaguete, Negros
Oriental. He copped the coveted Malcolm four-year law scholarship and finished valedictorian at
the Philippine Law School in 1923. In the same year, he landed among the first ten of Bar
passers. Rather than going into private practice, he taught at the Bohol Provincial High School
for two years.
Gifted with excellence in poetry in the Cebuano dialect, Garcia was given the appellations
"Prince of Visayan Poets" and "Bard from Bohol". He was also blessed with oratorical ability.
Carlos' interest in politics undoubtedly came from his father, who was municipal mayor for four
consecutive terms. His political career started in 1925 when he won as representative in the third
district of his province. His political experience broadened when he was elected provincial
governor for two terms, 1931 and 1940 respectively. He was elected into the senate in 1941;
however, the outbreak of the Pacific War prevented the elected senators and congressmen from
assuming office. Garcia then joined the freedom-loving Filipinos in the guerilla movement
against the invading Imperial Japanese forces. With the approval of President Manuel Quezon,
who was in exile in 1953, he served as high adviser of the civil government organized in Bohol.
During the reestablishment of the Commonwealth Government, Garcia won as senator under the
Nacionalista Party and became a member of the Upper House until 1953.
Garcia was picked as candidate for Vice President by the Nacionalista Party with Ramon
Magsaysay as running mate for President. They triumphed over the ruling Liberal Party. He
concurrently served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and was sworn in as the fourth president of
the Republic on March 18, 1957 after Magsaysay's death.
During his administration, he acted on the Bohlen Serrano Agreement which shortened the US
Bases lease of 99 years to 25 years and renewable after every five years. He was also responsible
for the retail trade law which greatly affected the Chinese businessmen in the country.
After his term, he ran for reelection but lost to Diosdado Macapagal. However, his former
constituents supported his bid as delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He won as
President of said Convention, but succumbed to heart attack on June 14,1971, three days after his
election. Surviving him were his widow, Mrs. Leonila (Inday) Dimataga-Garcia, a pharmacist,
and their only daughter, Linda Garcia-Campos.