Pres. Sergio Osmeña

RESTORATION OF COMMONWEALTH

With Manila liberated, General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur, on behalf of the United States, turned over the reins of government of the Philippines to Commonwealth President, Sergio Osmeña, on February 27, 1945, amidst brief, but impressive, ceremonies held at the Malacañan Palace. President Osmeña, after thanking the United States through General MacArthur, announced the restoration of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and work out the salvation of the Philippines from the ravages of war

During his college days at San Juan de Letran, Osmena became classmates with Emillo Jacinto, Manuel L. Roxas, and Juan Sumulong.

GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION

PEOPLE'S COURT

President Osmeña proceeded with the immediate reorganization of the government and its diverse dependencies. On 8 April 1945, he formed his Cabinet, administering the oath of office to its component members. Later, President Osmeña received the Council of State to help him solve the major problems confronting the nation. Government offices and bureaus were gradually reestablished.

Yielding to American pressure, on September 25, 1945, the Congress enacted C.A. No. 682 creating the People's Court and the Office of Special Prosecutors to deal with the pending cases of "collaboration".

TRIVIAS

SUPREME COURT

They also restored the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the inferior courts. The Court of Appeals was abolished and its appellate jurisdiction was transferred to the Supreme Court, the members of which were increased to eleven – one Chief Justice and ten Associate Justice – in order to attend to the new responsibilities. Slowly but steadily, as the liberating forces freed the other portions of the country, provincial and municipal governments were established by the Commonwealth to take over from the military authorities.

In 1900, he was the founder of Cebu's Newspaper - El Nuevo Día which lasted for three years

REHABILITATION OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

Following the restoration of the Commonwealth Government, the Congress was reorganized. Manuel Roxas and Elpidio Quirino were elected Senate President and Senate President pro tempore respectively. At the House of Representatives, Jose Zulueta of Iloilo was elected Speaker and Prospero Sanidad as Speaker pro tempore. The opening session of the Congress was personally addressed by President Osmeña, who reported on the Commonwealth Government in exile and proposed vital pieces of legislation.The First Commonwealth Congress earnestly took up the various pending assignments to solve the pressing matters affecting the Philippines, especially in regard to relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The first bill enacted was Commonwealth Act No. 672 – rehabilitating the Philippine National Bank.

On April 10, 1901, he married Estefania Chiong Veloso, the couple had ten children: Nicasio Veloso-Osmeña, Vicenta Veloso-Osmeña, Edilderto Veloso-Osmeña, Milagros Veloso-Osemeña, Emilio Veloso-Osmeña, Maria Paloma Veloso-Osmeña, Jesus Veloso-Osmeña, Teodoro Veloso-Osmeña, José Veloso-Osmeña, and Sergio Osmeña, Jr.

He was a Senator from the 10th Senatorial District for thirteen years, in which capacity he served as Senate President pro tempore.

He died at age 83 on October 19, 1961 at the Veteran's Memorial Hospital in Quezon City. He is buried in the Manila North Cemetery, Manila.

Congressional Career

Presidency

Achievements

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Osmeña became president of the Commonwealth on Quezon's death in 1944. He returned to the Philippines the same year with General Douglas MacArthur and the liberation forces. After the war, Osmeña restored the Commonwealth government and the various executive departments. He continued the fight for Philippine independence. For the presidential election of 1946, Osmeña refused to campaign, saying that the Filipino people knew of his record of 40 years of honest and faithful service. He lost to Manuel Roxas, who won 54 percent of the vote and became president of the independent Republic of the Philippines.

Sergio Osmeña

Sergio Osmeña - better known as Sergio Osmeña, Sr., was a Chinese Filipino politician who served as the 4th President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946. He was Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, and rose to the presidency upon Quezon's death in 1944, being the oldest Philippine president to hold office at age 65. A founder of Nacionalista Party, he was the first Visayan to become President of the Philippines.

Pres. Sergio Osmeña

4th President of the Philippines

November 15, 1935 - August 1, 1944