Carlos P. Garcia
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- For the municipality named after the president, see Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol.
Carlos P. Garcia | |
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8th President of the Philippines
4th President of the 3rd Republic |
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In office March 23, 1957 (elected December 30, 1957) – December 30, 1961 |
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Vice President(s) | Diosdado Macapagal |
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President | Ramon Magsaysay |
Preceded by | Ramon Magsaysay |
Succeeded by | Diosdado Macapagal |
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In office December 30, 1953 – March 18, 1957 |
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Preceded by | Fernando Lopez |
Succeeded by | None[1] |
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Born | November 4, 1896 Talibon, Bohol |
Died | June 14, 1971 Bohol, Philippines |
Political party | Nacionalista Party |
Spouse | Leonila Dimataga |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Signature | ![]() |
Carlos Polistico Garcia (November 4, 1896 – June 14, 1971) was the 8th president of the Philippines (1957-1961). His administration was known for its "Filipino First" policy, which put the interests of the Filipino people above those of foreigners and of the ruling party.
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[edit] Early life and career
Garcia was born in Talibon, Bohol to Policronio Garcia and Ambrosia Polistico (who were both natives of Bangued, Abra). He grew up with politics, with his father serving as a municipal mayor for four terms.
Garcia acquired his primary education in his native Talibon, then took his secondary education in Cebu Provincial High School. He briefly took law courses at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. He then studied in Philippine Law School and earned his degree in 1923. He was among the top ten in the bar examination.
Rather than practice law right away, he worked as a teacher for two years at Bohol Provincial High School. He became famous for his poetry in Bohol, where he earned the nickname "Prince of Visayan Poets" and the "Bard from Bohol".
He started his political career in 1925, scoring an impressive victory running for congressman representing the third district of Bohol. He was elected for another term, but served only until 1931 when he successfully ran for governor of Bohol. He served as provincial governor for two terms. He became a member of the congress in 1946, and was elected three times to the senate for three consecutive terms from 1941 to 1953.
Garcia was the running mate of Ramon Magsaysay in the presidential election of 1953. He was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs by President Ramon Magsaysay, for four years concurrently serving as vice-president.
[edit] Presidency
He assumed the presidency after Ramón Magsaysay died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957, and was re-elected later the same year, in the Election 1957, for another full term.
During his administration, he acted on the Bohlen–Serrano Agreement which shortened the lease of the US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it renewable after every five years. He also exercised the Filipino First Policy, for which he was known. This policy heavily favored Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. He was also responsible for changes in retail trade which greatly affected the Chinese businessmen in the country.
At the end of his second term, he ran for re–election in the Election 1961 in November 1961, but was defeated by Diosdado Macapagal, who served as Vice-President under him, but belonged to the the opposing Liberal Party - in the Philippines the President and the Vice-President are elected separately.
[edit] Post-presidency

After his failed re–election bid, Garcia then retired to private life, living as a private citizen in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. On June 1, 1971, Garcia was elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and chosen as its president. However, he died of a heart attack on June 14, 1971 at the age of seventy-four.
He is featured as the lone star in the Bohol provincial flag as the only Philippine President produced by the province. Another star shall be added for every Boholano who shall also become president of the Philippines.[2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Congress did not appoint a Vice President after Garcia assumed the Presidency from Magsaysay, as required by the 1935 Constitution
- ^ Bohol Flag and Seal Provincial Government of Bohol Retrieved 21 December, 2006.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.
- Batan-ong Pilipino (Filipino) Poem by Carlos P. Garcia
Preceded by Teodoro Abueva |
Representative, 3rd Congressional District of Bohol 1925 - 1931 |
Succeeded by Filomeno Caseñas Orbeta |
Preceded by ? |
Governor of Bohol 1933–1941 |
Succeeded by ? |
Preceded by restored |
Senator 1941–1953 |
Succeeded by ' |
Preceded by restored |
Minority Leader of the Philippine Senate 1946–1953 |
Succeeded by Ambrosio Padilla |
Preceded by Fernando Lopez |
Vice President of the Philippines 1953–1957 |
Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal |
Preceded by Joaquin Elizalde |
Secretary of Foreign Affairs 1954–1957 |
Succeeded by Raul Manglapus |
Preceded by Ramon Magsaysay |
President of the Philippines 1957–1961 |
Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal |
Preceded by 'Newly established' Preceded by the Philippine Commission for Preparatory Independence with its President Jose P. Laurel |
President of the 1971 Constitutional Convention 1971 |
Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal |
Presidents of the Philippines - List |
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Aguinaldo | Quezon | Osmeña | Laurel | Roxas | Quirino | Magsaysay Garcia | Macapagal | Marcos | Aquino | Ramos | Estrada | Arroyo |
Vice Presidents of the Philippines |
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Trías | Osmeña | Quirino | Lopez | Garcia | Macapagal | Pelaez |
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Presidential lists of order | Order of service • Birth • Longevity • Post-presidency length • Term length | |
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Presidential personal life lists | Nicknames • College education • Province • Religious affiliation | |
Presidential professional life lists | Inaugurations • Currency appearances | |
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Vice President lists of order | Order of service • Birth • Death • Term length | |
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Succession | Line of succession | |
Elections | Election results | |
Candidates | Tickets • Former presidents who ran again | |
Spouses | First Ladies |
Categories: Filipino politicians | Presidents of the Philippines | Lists relating to the Philippine presidency | Vice Presidents of the Philippines | 1896 births | 1971 deaths | Filipino anti-communists | People from Bohol | Boholano people | Senators of the Philippines | Minority leaders of the Senate of the Philippines | Philippine presidential candidates | Filipino lawyers