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Manuel Roxas
Manuel Roxas
Manuel Roxas
The good record of Roxas administration was marred by two failures: the
failure to curb graft and corruption in the government, as evidenced by
the Surplus War Property scandal, the Chinese immigration scandal and
the School supplies scandal; and the failure to check and stop the
communist Hukbalahap movement.
ISSUES
The night before the plebiscite, Roxas narrowly escaped assassination by
Julio Guillen, a disgruntled barber from Tondo, Manila, who hurled a
grenade at the platform on Plaza Miranda immediately after Roxas had
addressed a rally.
Although Roxas was successful in his objective to obtain rehabilitation
funds from America to repair what has been destroyed in the Philippines,
he was still criticized for his subjective decisions concerning policies
implemented in the country.
One criticism in Roxas’ administration is his camaraderie with the
Americans. He was too close to them to the point that he allowed US
military bases in the country (23 were leased for 99 years), permitted
trade restrictions for Filipinos, and gave special privileges for US property
owners and investors.
HIS DEATH
DEATH
On the morning of April 15, 1948 Roxas delivered a speech
before the United States Thirteenth Air Force. After the
speech, he felt dizzy and was brought to the residence of Major
General E.L. Eubank at Clark Field, Pampanga. He died later
that night of a heart attack. Roxas' term as President is thus
the third shortest, lasting one year, ten months, and 18 days.
On April 17, 1948, two days after Roxas' death, Vice-President
Elpidio Quirino took the oath of office as President of the
Philippines.
In his honour, Roxas District (Project 1) in Quezon City, Roxas,
Capiz and Roxas, Isabela were named after him. Dewey
Boulevard in the City of Manila was renamed in his memory.
He is currently depicted on the 100 Philippine peso bill.