UID101

Group 1 HRM-11
Members:
Bondad, Mark Kenneth
Caperina, Carl Jean
Malate, Louie Albert
Perez, Adrian
Menes, Peter
Maglangkay, Gracelyn
Mendoza, Andrea

Early Life:
Arsenio Lacson was born on December 26, 1912, in Talisay, Negros Occidental, during a
storm. He was named after Arsenio Luz, a journalist his father admired, and his grandfather
Hilario Lacson. He was related to Aniceto Lacson, the president of the Republic of Negros.
Lacson, a sickly child, turned to athletics while studying at the Ateneo de Manila University,
where he also became an amateur boxer. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the
university and studied law at the University of Santo Tomas. After passing the bar, he worked for
Senator Vicente Francisco's law office and the Department of Justice. Before World War II, he
also worked as a sportswriter.

Sporting career:
Lacson played football for Ateneo de Manila University and the Philippine national
football team, participating in tournaments such as the 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games.

WW2 Guerrila:
During World War II, Lacson joined the armed resistance against the Japanese military.

Lacson became a part of the Free Philippines underground movement.

Lacson participated in the liberation of Baguio on April 26, 1945.

Journalism Career:
After World War II, Lacson resumed his career in journalism and became popular for his
radio show, In This Corner, featuring social and political commentary. He earned the nickname
"Manny the Weep" for President Manuel Roxas, who ordered his suspension from the airwaves
in 1947. Lacson also wrote columns for Free Philippines, a newspaper he founded with editor
José W. Diokno and writers Teodoro Locsin Sr. and Phillip Buencamino.

Political Career
House of Representative
- In the 1949 general elections, Lacson was elected as a member of the House of
Representatives for the 2nd District of Manila under the Nacionalista Party. He was
recognized for his excellent performance as a fiscalizer and lawmaker, earning him a spot
among the "10 Most Useful Congressmen" according to the media covering Congress.

Political Career
Mayor of Manila
-Arsenio Lacson was a reformist mayor who served as the mayor of Manila from 1952 to
1962. He was known for his tough-minded approach and was re-elected twice. Lacson
successfully reduced Manila's debt within three years of taking office and by 1959, the city had a
budget surplus of ₱4.3 million. According to Lacson, income earned by Manila supported 70%
of the salaries of national government officials and members of Congress, as well as 70% of the
expenses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Political Career
Lacson, as the mayor of Manila, maintained peace and order by firing incompetent city
employees and corrupt policemen, and raiding brothels and unauthorized market vendors. He
established a mobile patrol unit and patrolled the city at night. Lacson also established the
Manila Zoo and the city's first underpass. He maintained his radio program, where he spoke on
public affairs and criticized President Elpidio Quirino. When he was suspended by Quirino, he
was later reinstated by the Supreme Court.

Lacson has a tough exterior but comes from a good family, attended good schools, and is
literate. Despite accusations of being too close to the underworld, he belonged to the idealistic
wartime underground group, the Free Philippines.

Peak Years
In 1953, Lacson campaigned for presidential candidate Ramon Magsaysay. After
Magsaysay's death, Lacson declined an offer to run for vice president and turned against newly
installed President Garcia. Lacson considered running for president in 1957 but lacked funding
and party machinery. Harry Stonehill falsely claimed that Lacson asked him to finance his
campaign against Garcia. After Stonehill refused, Lacson denounced the United States and their
subservience to the Philippine government. He was frequently tagged as anti-American and
criticized their foreign policy.

Meteoric rise and proposed presidential campaign with José W. Diokno

Lacson was a persistent critic of President Garcia during his term, but later supported
Vice-President Macapagal's presidential candidacy. After Macapagal's election, Lacson returned
to the Nacionalista Party and became a likely presidential candidate for the 1965 election.
However, he died suddenly, and Ferdinand Marcos was selected instead. Lacson was Marcos's
lawyer when he was tried for murder in the 1930s, and their relationship was often contentious.
Death
As mayor, Lacson faced several attempts on his life and survived multiple attacks.
However, he passed away at the age of 49 in his hotel room due to coronary thrombosis, despite
a recent medical check-up showing his heart was in perfect condition. He was buried at the
Manila North Cemetery. There were rumors that he was with Charito Solis at the time of his
death, but records show that he was alone in his hotel room and did not log Solis's name.