Ismael Magallanes Jr.
Museum Researcher II
PRESIDENT JOSE P. LAUREL’S BUST SCULPTURE
NHCP Presidential Car Museum Collection
Jose P. Laurel, who served as the president of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic during World War II, is often regarded as a puppet leader. Many of his actions were heavily influenced by the pressures of the ongoing war and the Japanese occupation. Among his most contentious decisions were the proclamations of martial law and a state of war against the United States and its allies, both issued within just two days.
At that time, Japan was steadily losing ground in the Pacific, and Laurel’s declarations were primarily a reaction to the wartime climate, particularly the growing threat of Allied forces preparing to retake the Philippines. The Japanese relied on Laurel’s government to maintain order and suppress Filipino resistance movements.
Laurel’s presidency, which spanned from 1943 to 1945, was defined by a delicate balancing act between survival and collaboration. This period has since sparked intense debates about his legacy and the nature of his leadership during those years.
LAUREL BEFORE THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION
Jose P. Laurel played a pivotal role in Philippine politics, particularly during the Japanese occupation. Born on 9 March 1891, in Tanauan, Batangas, to Sotero Laurel and Jacoba Garcia, he was known for his exceptional legal expertise. In 1915, he earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines and passed the bar exam that same year, ranking second. He later became a law professor, teaching at prestigious institutions such as the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Law School, and the University of Santo Tomas.
Laurel’s political career began in the Department of the Interior, where he served as Undersecretary in 1922 and Secretary the following year. He was also involved in the significant 1923 Cabinet Crisis, when he, along with prominent figures like Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, and Manuel Roxas, resigned in protest against Governor-General Leonard Wood’s perceived overreach and opposition to the Filipinization of the government.
Laurel’s influence grew further when he was elected as a senator in 1925, serving as the Majority Floor Leader and later as Senate President Pro-Tempore. He played a crucial role in shaping the 1935 Constitution, having been elected as a delegate to the 1934 Constitutional Convention. Under the Commonwealth government, President Quezon appointed Laurel as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1936 and later as Secretary of Justice in 1941, cementing his stature in Philippine governance.
JOSE P. LAUREL AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
Presidential Museum and Library
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GOVERNOR-GENERAL LEONARD WOOD WITH FILIPINO LEADERS, SENATE PRESIDENT MANUEL QUEZON, SPEAKER MANUEL ROXAS,
AND SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER JOSEP P. LAUREL (4th from the right)
Presidential Museum and Library
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POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE UNDER THE JAPANESE
The Pacific War broke out on 7 December 1941, when Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the largest U.S. naval base in Hawaii. As a U.S. colony, the Philippines soon became a key target for Japanese forces. Following General Douglas MacArthur’s advice, President Manuel L. Quezon relocated the seat of government to Corregidor Island to evade the advancing Japanese forces. Before leaving Manila, Quezon held a crucial meeting with his cabinet at his Marikina residence to discuss the future of the government under Japanese occupation. During this meeting, Quezon instructed Executive Secretary Jorge Vargas and Justice Secretary Jose P. Laurel to remain in Manila as representatives of the Commonwealth government. He directed them to cooperate with the Japanese but strictly avoid swearing allegiance to them.
PRESIDENT QUEZON’S WAR CABINET IN MARIQUINA, 1941.
(From L-R) LAUREL, VARGAS, GEN. MACARTHUR, PRES. QUEZON, FIRST LADY AURORA, MANUEL ROXAS
Presidential Museum and Library
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On 26 December 1941, in an attempt to prevent the destruction of Manila, American and Filipino forces withdrew, and the city was declared an “Open City.” Despite this, Japanese forces bombed Manila and took control by 2 January 1942. The Japanese swiftly established the Japanese Military Administration (JMA) and reorganized the Philippine government. General Masaharu Homma, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Imperial Forces, appointed Jorge Vargas as Chairman of the newly formed Executive Commission. Other key commissioners included Jose P. Laurel, Claro M. Recto, Jose Yulo, Teofilo Sison, and Jorge Bocobo.
To solidify their control, the Japanese disbanded all existing political parties and formed a new one—the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI). KALIBAPI was tasked with creating the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence (PCPI), which was responsible for drafting a constitution for a new republic. Laurel, appointed as head of the PCPI, faced immense pressure from the Japanese to draft a constitution that mirrored Japan’s legal framework. However, Laurel, renowned for his legal acumen, resisted attempts to mold the constitution entirely to Japanese interests.
The new constitution, signed on 4 September 1943, established a republican form of government with a strong executive branch, tailored to address the country’s wartime needs. The president, elected by the National Assembly, would serve a six-year term. With the constitution in place, the next step was to elect a president for the new republic. Members of the National Assembly were chosen by KALIBAPI, and under this system, it was the Assembly—not the public—that selected the president. On 25 September 1943, during the National Assembly’s inaugural session, Jose P. Laurel was unanimously elected as president of the new Philippine Republic. His inauguration on 14 October 1943, administered by Chief Justice Jose Yulo, marked the official beginning of the Second Republic.
LAUREL TOOK HIS OATH AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE-SPONSORED PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC, 14 OCTOBER 1943
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As the war progressed and Allied forces, led by the United States, began planning the liberation of the Philippines, Japan intensified its influence over Laurel’s government. They sought to secure full Filipino support for the Japanese war effort, pressuring Laurel to formally align the country with Japan by declaring war on the United States. However, Laurel resisted such demands. Despite the challenging circumstances, he carefully navigated his position, cooperating with the Japanese to safeguard Filipino lives while avoiding complete allegiance to Japan’s military ambitions.
LAUREL’S DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW AND STATE OF WAR
As the war turned increasingly against Japan, Jose P. Laurel faced intense pressure due to the worsening military situation. Allied forces, particularly American troops, were advancing toward the Philippines, and Manila had already been bombed for the first time since 1942. In an attempt to maintain order amid the chaos, Laurel issued Proclamation No. 29 on 21 September 1944, declaring martial law across the entire country. This took effect on 22 September 1944, at exactly 9:00 AM. Under martial law, the government assumed extraordinary powers, suspending civil liberties and tightening state control over various aspects of society. The writ of habeas corpus was suspended, and the nation was divided into military districts, each governed by military authorities responsible for maintaining peace and order.
The day after martial law was enacted, on 23 September 1944, Laurel declared that the Philippines was in a state of war against the United States and Great Britain. This move was largely seen as a result of Japanese coercion, as Japan sought to further align the Philippines with its deteriorating war effort. However, Laurel’s declaration differed from what the Japanese had hoped for—a direct declaration of war against the United States. His proclamation avoided involving Filipino soldiers on the side of Japan and had no legal binding, as such a declaration required ratification by the National Assembly, which had already been disbanded due to martial law. Through this, Laurel cleverly outmaneuvered the Japanese, limiting the impact of the declaration.
Laurel’s reluctance to fully embrace Japanese interests led to increasing Japanese desperation. In response, they sought to create a pro-Japanese militia composed of Filipinos who were more willing to collaborate directly with the Japanese military. With the assistance of Benigno Ramos and Artemio Ricarte, the Kalipunang Makabayan ng mga Pilipino (MAKAPILI) was formed. This group primarily provided additional manpower for Japanese military operations and helped identify guerrilla fighters and members of the resistance movement.
LAUREL AFTER THE WAR
General Douglas MacArthur’s return to the Philippines, along with the Commonwealth government, signaled the beginning of the end for Japanese occupation. As the Americans ramped up their liberation efforts, Japanese forces, along with leaders of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine government, retreated to northern Luzon. Baguio became a temporary sanctuary for President Jose P. Laurel and his cabinet. However, as the American forces advanced and their bombing campaigns intensified, Baguio soon became unsafe. Although Laurel initially expressed a desire to stay in the Philippines—likely driven by a sense of duty and loyalty to his fellow Filipinos—the worsening situation forced him to flee. On 22 March 1945, Laurel, along with his family and key officials, evacuated to Japan, effectively marking the end of the short-lived Japanese-sponsored government in the Philippines.
With the conclusion of the war and the re-establishment of the Commonwealth government, Filipino officials who had collaborated with the Japanese were put on trial for their wartime actions. Laurel faced treason charges for his presidency under Japanese occupation, with many viewing his collaboration as a betrayal of the Filipino people. However, Laurel defended his actions, stating that he had accepted the presidency solely to protect Filipinos during a time of extreme crisis.
In 1948, President Manuel Roxas granted a general amnesty to Filipinos who had collaborated with the Japanese, including Laurel. This act of clemency led to Laurel’s release from prison and allowed him to return to public life. Despite his controversial wartime role, Laurel managed to rebuild his political career. He was elected to the Senate in 1951 and became a key figure in the Nacionalista Party. In 1949, he ran for the presidency but lost to Elpidio Quirino. Laurel remained an influential figure in postwar Philippine politics.
COLORED PICTURE OF PRES. LAUREL TAKEN IN TOKYO
Presidential Museum and Library
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SENATOR LAUREL ORATING IN THE SENATE SESSION HALL OF THE OLD LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
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REFERENCES:
AGONCILLO, Teodoro A. History of the Filipino People (Eight Edition). Garotech Publisihing, Quezon City, 1990.
DE VIANA, Augusto V. When the Philippines Declared War on the United States: Laurel and Proclamation No.30. Journal of Philippine Local History and Heritage Vol.4 No.1. National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Manila, 2018.
JOSE, Ricardo T. Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People (Volume 7: The Japanese Occupation). Asia Publishing Limited, 1998.
JOSE, Ricardo T. Rising to the Challenge of the Japanese Occupation: Jose P. Laurel and the Second Philippine Republic, 1943-1945. Philippine Presidents: 100 Years. Philippine Historical Association, Quezon City, 1999.
PHOTO REFERENCES:
Presidential Museum and Library via Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/govph/albums/72157635093245468/