Ramon Magsaysay

President of the Philippines from 1953 to 1957

Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay KGE GCC QSC MGH (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was a Filipino politician. He was the seventh President of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash. He was elected president under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.


Ramon F. Magsaysay Sr.

7th President of the Philippines
In office
December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957
Vice PresidentCarlos P. Garcia
Preceded byElpidio Quirino
Succeeded byCarlos P. Garcia
Secretary of National Defense
In office
January 1, 1954 – May 14, 1954
PresidentHimself
Preceded byOscar Castelo
Succeeded bySotero B. Cabahug
In office
September 1, 1950 – February 28, 1953
PresidentElpidio Quirino
Preceded byRuperto Kangleon
Succeeded byOscar Castelo
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Zambales' Lone District
In office
May 28, 1946 – September 1, 1950
Preceded byValentin Afable
Succeeded byEnrique Corpus
Personal details
Born
Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay

(1907-08-31)August 31, 1907
Iba, Zambales, Philippine Islands
DiedMarch 17, 1957(1957-03-17) (aged 49)
Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
Cause of deathAirplane crash
Resting placeManila North Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
Political partyNacionalista Party (1953–1957)
Liberal Party[1][2] (1946–1953)
Spouse(s)
Luz Banzon
(m. 1933; his death 1957)
ChildrenTeresita
Milagros
Ramon
Alma materJosé Rizal University
ProfessionEngineer, Soldier
Signature
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Years of service1942–1945
RankCaptain
Unit31st Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II

Presidency change

Because of the success of his campaign against the Hukbalahap rebellion, he became popular among the Filipino people. He was elected president under the banner of the Nacionalista Party during the 1953 elections and defeated former president Elpidio Quirino.[3]

Under his presidency, his administration involved:

  • improving public works and social programs especially those in rural areas,[4]
  • helping the creation of SEATO and the National Marketing Corporation,[4][5]
  • and the revision of the Philippine Trade Act of 1946 under the Laurey-Langley agreement.[4] The Laurey-Langley agreement, however, ended up creating a competition between American products and Filipino products.[5]

Magsaysay also wished to improve every aspect of Filipino life but was frustrated that his efforts were limited because of a disobedient congress. This resulted on failure of land reforms over which small farmers did not like. He died on March 17, 1957 because of a plane crash near Cebu. His vice president, Carlos P. Garcia, became president.[3]

References change

  1. "Ramon Magsaysay." Microsoft Student 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008.
  2. Molina, Antonio. The Philippines: Through the centuries. Manila: University of Sto. Tomas Cooperative, 1961. Print.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Ramon Magsaysay | president of Philippines | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Zafra, Nicolas (1972). Maikling Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Quezon City, Philippines: Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mactal, Dr. Ronaldo (2013). Historia: Batayang Aklat sa Araling Panlipunan. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. ISBN 978-971-06-3272-5.