Jose P. Laurel - Wikipedia

8/6/23, 5:07 PM Jose P.
Laurel - Wikipedia
Jose P. Laurel
José Paciano Laurel y García CCLH KGCR (March 9,
His Excellency
1891 – November 6, 1959) was a Filipino politician,
lawyer, and judge, who served as the president of the Jose P. Laurel
Japanese-occupied Second Philippine Republic, a puppet CCLH, KGCR
state during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Since the
administration of President Diosdado Macapagal (1961–
1965), Laurel has been officially recognized by later
administrations as a former president of the Philippines.
Early life and education

José Paciano Laurel y
García was born on
March 9, 1891, in the
town of Tanauan,
Batangas. His parents
were Sotero Laurel y
Remoquillo and
Jacoba García y
Pimentel, both from Laurel in 1943
The Pres. Jose P. Laurel Memorial Tanauan. His father 3rd President of the Philippines[a]
Shrine in Tanauan, Batangas, had been an official in
where Laurel was born In office
the revolutionary
government of Emilio October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945
Aguinaldo and a Serving with Manuel L. Quezon[b] (1943–
signatory to the 1899 1944) and Sergio Osmeña[c] (1944–1945)
Malolos Constitution. Prime Minister Jorge B. Vargas
Just like many other Vice President Ramon Avanceña (1943–
presidents, he is a
1944; de facto)
Chinese mestizo
descendant. [1] His Benigno Aquino Sr. (1944–
second given name 1945; de facto)
Paciano was in honor Preceded by Manuel L. Quezon[d]
of Paciano Rizal.[2]
Succeeded by Sergio Osmeña[e]
Laurel studied at the Minister of the Interior
San Jose College in In office
Tanauan before
December 4, 1942 – October 14, 1943
transferring in 1903 to
Colegio de San Juan de Presiding Jorge B. Vargas
Laurel in 1922, when he was an Letran in Manila. He Officer, PEC
attorney. later attended "La Preceded by Benigno Aquino Sr.
Regeneracion," where
Commissioner of Justice
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_P._Laurel 1/16
8/6/23, 5:07 PM Jose P. Laurel - Wikipedia
he completed the Spanish secondary course of instruction. In office

In 1907, he finished the intermediate grades at Manila December 24, 1941 – December 2, 1942
public schools.[3]
Presiding Jorge B. Vargas
While a teen, Laurel was indicted for attempted murder Officer, PEC
when he almost killed a rival suitor of the girl he stole a Preceded by Teófilo Sison
kiss from with a fan knife. While studying and finishing
Succeeded by Teófilo Sison
law school, he argued for and received an acquittal in
1912.[4] Senator of the Philippines
In office
Laurel completed his high school education at Manila December 30, 1951 – December 30, 1957
High School in 1911.[3] He received his law degree from
Constituency At-large
the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1915,
where he studied under Dean George A. Malcolm, whom In office
he would later succeed at the Supreme Court of the 1925–1931
Philippines. On the same year, he took the Philippine bar Serving with Manuel L. Quezon
examination and placed second. He then obtained a Preceded by Antero Soriano
Master of Laws degree from University of Santo Tomas in
1919. Laurel was later awarded a scholarship at Yale Law Succeeded by Claro M. Recto
School, where he obtained his J.S.D. degree in 1920. On Constituency 5th district
the same year, he was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme 34th Associate Justice of the Philippine
Court of the United States and the Supreme Court and Supreme Court
Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. He later In office
traveled extensively throughout the United States and
February 29, 1936 – February 5, 1942
Europe, where he also took special courses in
international law at Oxford University in England and at Appointed by Manuel L. Quezon
the University of Paris in France before returning to the Preceded by George Malcolm
Philippines in 1921.[2] He also earned his Doctorate in Succeeded by Court reorganized
Jurisprudence at the Escuela de Derecho in Manila and
Humanities at the University of Santo Tomas.[5] Senate Majority Leader
In office
1928–1931
Early career
Senate Manuel L. Quezon
Laurel began his life in public service while a student, as a President
messenger in the Bureau of Forestry, then as a clerk in the Preceded by Francisco Enage
Code Committee tasked with the codification of Philippine
Succeeded by Benigno S. Aquino
laws, and law clerk in the Executive Bureau. During his
work for the Code Committee, he was introduced to its Secretary of the Interior
head, Thomas A. Street, a future Supreme Court Justice In office
who would be a mentor to the young Laurel.[6] February 9, 1923 – July 17, 1923
Preceded by Teodoro M. Kalaw
In 1921, Laurel was also appointed as lecturer at
University of the Philippines, particularly at the College of Succeeded by Felipe Agoncillo
Liberal Arts and at the College of Law.[3] Undersecretary of the Interior
Ad interim
Laurel was appointed first as ad interim Undersecretary of
the Interior Department in 1922 (with two stints as acting In office
secretary),[7] then promoted as Secretary of the Interior in May 22, 1922 – February 9, 1923
1923. In that post, he would frequently clash with the Personal details
American Governor-General Leonard Wood, and
eventually, in 1923, resign from his position together with Born José Paciano Laurel y
other Cabinet members in protest of Wood's García
administration. His clashes with Wood solidified Laurel's March 9, 1891
nationalist credentials.
Tanauan, Batangas,
Laurel was a member of the Philippine fraternity Upsilon Captaincy General of the
Sigma Phi.[8] Philippines
Died November 6, 1959
Senator and Congressman of the (aged 68)
Manila, Philippines
Philippines Resting place Tanauan, Batangas,
Philippines
In 1925, Laurel was elected to the Philippine Senate,
beating incumbent Senator Antero Soriano. Serving from Political party Nacionalista
the 5th district, he would serve for one term before losing Other political KALIBAPI (1942–1945)
his re-election bid in 1931 to fellow Batangueño Claro M. affiliations
Recto.[9]
Spouse Pacencia Hidalgo (m. 1911)
He retired to private practice, but by 1934, he was again Children José B. Laurel Jr.
elected to public office, this time as a delegate to the 1935 José S. Laurel III
Constitutional Convention. Hailed as one of the "Seven Natividad Laurel-Guinto
Wise Men of the Convention", he would sponsor the Sotero Laurel II
provisions on the Bill of Rights.[9] Following the
Mariano Laurel
ratification of the 1935 Constitution and the establishment
Rosenda Laurel-Avanceña
of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Laurel was
appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on Potenciana Laurel-
February 29, 1936. Yupangco
Salvador Laurel
Arsenio Laurel
Associate Justice of the Supreme
Alma mater University of the
Court Philippines Manila (LLB)
University of Santo Tomas
Laurel's Supreme Court tenure may have been (LLM)
overshadowed by his presidency, yet he remains one of the Yale University (SJD)
most important Supreme Court justices in Philippine
history. He authored several leading cases still analyzed to Signature
this day that defined the parameters of the branches of
government as well as their powers.
Angara v. Electoral Commission (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1936/jul1936/gr_l-45081_19

36.html), 63 Phil. 139 (1936), which is considered as the Philippine equivalent of Marbury v.
Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803), is Laurel's most important contribution to jurisprudence and
even the rule of law in the Philippines. In affirming that the Court had jurisdiction to review the
rulings of the Electoral Commission organized under the National Assembly, the Court, through
Justice Laurel's opinion, firmly entrenched the power of Philippine courts to engage in judicial review
of the acts of the other branches of government, and to interpret the Constitution. Held the Court,
through Laurel:
The Constitution is a definition of the powers of government. Who is to determine the

nature, scope and extent of such powers? The Constitution itself has provided for the
instrumentality of the judiciary as the rational way. And when the judiciary mediates to
allocate constitutional boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other
departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only
asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to determine
conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish for the parties in an
actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and guarantees to them.[10]
Another highly influential decision penned by Laurel was Ang Tibay v. CIR (http://www.lawphil.net/
judjuris/juri1940/feb1940/gr_l-46496_1940.html), 69 Phil. 635 (1940). The Court acknowledged in
that case that the substantive and procedural requirements before proceedings in administrative
agencies, such as labor relations courts, were more flexible than those in judicial proceedings. At the
same time, the Court still asserted that the right to due process of law must be observed, and
enumerated the "cardinal primary rights" that must be respected in administrative proceedings. Since
then, these "cardinal primary rights" have stood as the standard in testing due process claims in
administrative cases.
Calalang v. Williams, 70 Phil. 726 (1940) was a seemingly innocuous case involving a challenge
raised by a private citizen to a traffic regulation banning kalesas from Manila streets during certain
afternoon hours. The Court, through Laurel, upheld the regulation as within the police power of the
government. But in rejecting the claim that the regulation was violative of social justice, Laurel would
respond with what would become his most famous aphorism, which is to this day widely quoted by
judges and memorized by Filipino law students:
Social justice is neither communism, nor despotism, nor atomism, nor anarchy, but the
humanization of laws and the equalization of social and economic forces by the State so
that justice in its rational and objectively secular conception may at least be approximated.
Social justice means the promotion of the welfare of all the people, the adoption by the
Government of measures calculated to insure economic stability of all the competent
elements of society, through the maintenance of a proper economic and social equilibrium
in the interrelations of the members of the community, constitutionally, through the
adoption of measures legally justifiable, or extra-constitutionally, through the exercise of
powers underlying the existence of all governments on the time-honored principle of salus
populi est suprema lex. Social justice, therefore, must be founded on the recognition of the
necessity of interdependence among divers and diverse units of a society and of the
protection that should be equally and evenly extended to all groups as a combined force in
our social and economic life, consistent with the fundamental and paramount objective of
the state of promoting the health, comfort, and quiet of all persons, and of bringing about
"the greatest good to the greatest number.[11]
While an associate justice, Laurel also held other appointive posts. Laurel was appointed by President
Manuel L. Quezon as a member of the Moral Code Committee in 1939 and as member of the Code
Committee in 1940. In 1941, he was also appointed as Professor of Civil Law at the Central College of
Law. He was also named as acting Secretary of Justice and acting Chief Justice on December of the
same year and Commissioner of Justice in January 1942.[3] His time as associate justice ended on
February 5, 1942
Cabinet member and accession

As he was well known to the Japanese as a critic of US rule, as well as having demonstrated a
willingness to serve under the Japanese Military Administration, he held a series of high posts in
1942–1943.
On December 10, 1941, then-Associate Justice Laurel was appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon
as acting Secretary of Justice. He was later appointed Commissioner of Justice by the commander-in-
chief of the Imperial Japanese Forces on January 26, 1942, but was effective three days prior.
However, on December 2, 1942, he was relieved from the post to become the Minister of the Interior,
a position that he had previously held as Secretary two decades prior.[3] He relinquished the post on
October 14, 1943, when he was inaugurated President of the Second Philippine Republic.
Laurel was among the Commonwealth officials instructed by the Japanese Imperial Army to form a
provisional government when they invaded and occupied the country. He cooperated with the
Japanese, in contrast to Chief Justice José Abad Santos, who was shot for refusing to cooperate.[12]
Assassination attempt
On June 5, 1943, Laurel was playing golf at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, then in the City of
Greater Manila, when he was shot around four times with a .45 caliber pistol.[13] The bullets barely
missed his heart and liver.[13] He was rushed by his golfing companions, among them Far Eastern
University president Nicanor Reyes Sr., to the Philippine General Hospital where he was operated by
the Chief Military Surgeon of the Japanese Military Administration and Filipino surgeons.[13] Laurel
enjoyed a speedy recovery.
Two suspects to the shooting were reportedly captured and swiftly executed by the Kempetai.[14]
Another suspect, a former boxer named Feliciano Lizardo, was presented for identification by the
Japanese to Laurel at the latter's hospital bed, but Laurel then professed unclear memory.[14]
However, in his 1953 memoirs, Laurel would admit that Lizardo, by then one of his bodyguards who
had pledged to give his life for him, was indeed the would-be-assassin.[14] Still, the historian Teodoro
Agoncillo in his book on the Japanese occupation, identified a captain with a guerilla unit as the
shooter.[14]
Presidency (1943–1945)
The presidency of Laurel understandably remains one of the most controversial in Philippine history.
After the war, he would be denounced by the pro-American sectors as a war collaborator or even a
traitor, although his indictment for treason was superseded by President Roxas' Amnesty
Proclamation.[16]
Accession
When Japan invaded, President Manuel L. Quezon first fled to

Bataan and then to the United States to establish a
government-in-exile. Quezon ordered Laurel, Vargas and
other cabinet members to stay. Laurel's prewar, close
relationship with Japanese officials (a son had been sent to
study at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in Tokyo, and
Laurel had received an honorary doctorate from Tokyo
Imperial University) in 1938, placed him in a good position to
interact with the Japanese occupation forces.
Under vigorous Japanese influence, the National Assembly

selected Laurel to serve as president in 1943. He took the oath Former Supreme Court Justice Jose P.
of office on October 14, 1943, at the Legislative Building (now Laurel takes his oath of office as the 3rd
the National Museum of Fine Arts) in Manila. The oath was president of the Philippines and 1st
administered by Chief Justice José Yulo.[3] president of the Japanese-sponsored
Second Philippine Republic.
Administration and cabinet

Presidential styles of
Jose P. Laurel
Domestic problems Reference style His
Excellency[15]
Economy Spoken style Your Excellency
During Laurel's tenure as president, hunger was the main worry. Alternative Mr. President
Prices of essential commodities rose to unprecedented heights. style
The government exerted every effort to increase production and
bring consumers' goods under control. However, Japanese
rapacity had the better of it all. On the other hand, guerrilla
activities and Japanese retaliatory measures brought the peace
and order situation to a difficult point. Resorting to district-zoning
and domiciliary searches, coupled with arbitrary arrests, the
Japanese made the mission of Laurel's administration incalculably
exasperating and perilous.[17]
Food shortage
During his presidency, the Philippines faced a crippling food

shortage which demanded much of Laurel's attention.[18] Rice and
bread were still available but the sugar supply was gone.[19]
Foreign policies President Jose P. Laurel Official

Portrait at Malacañang Palace
Philippine-Japanese Treaty of Alliance
On October 20, 1943, the Philippine-Japanese Treaty of Alliance

was signed by Claro M. Recto, who was appointed by Laurel as his
Foreign Minister, and Japanese Ambassador to Philippines Sozyo
Murata. One redeeming feature was that no conscription was
envisioned.[17]
Greater East Asia Conference
Shortly after the inauguration of the Second Philippine Republic,

One of the many propaganda
President Laurel, together with cabinet Ministers Recto and
slogans made during the Laurel
Paredes flew to Tokyo to attend the Greater East Asia Conference
administration. Tagalog for "One
which was an international summit held in Tokyo, Japan from
Banner, One Nation, One
November 5 – 6, 1943, in which Japan hosted the heads of state of
Language".
various component members of the Greater East Asia Co-
Prosperity Sphere. The conference was also referred to as the
Tokyo Conference.
The Conference addressed few issues of any substance,

Eradication of Western Opium Drug Trade and to illustrate the
Empire of Japan's commitments to the Pan-Asianism ideal and to
emphasize its role as the "liberator" of Asia from Western
colonialism.[20]
Greater East Asia Conference

Martial law
Laurel declared the country under martial law in 1944 through Proclamation No. 29, dated September
21.[21] Martial law came into effect on September 22, 1944, at 9 am. Proclamation No. 30 was issued
the next day, declaring the existence of a state of war between the Philippines and the United States
and the United Kingdom. This took effect on September 23, 1944, at 10:00 A.M.[22]
Filipinization of the Catholic Church
On the day of his inauguration, Laurel sought to gain recognition for the new republic from the Holy
See. Correspondence between the diplomats of the Vatican and Japan told that the Holy See did not
wish to recognize any new states for the duration of the War. Despite this, Laurel still sought to appeal
to the Pope about instating Filipinos into the Church hierarchy.[23]
As the Head of the Republic of Philippines,' I take liberty of voicing to Your Holiness the
desire and sentiments of eighteen million Filipinos, the majority of whom are ardent
Catholics, with respect to the matter which vitally affects the administration of the
Catholic Church in Philippines, and which may have far reaching effects on their religious
faith. I refer to Filipinization of the Catholic hierarchy and clergy in Philippines.
Your Holiness will remember that the movement for Filipinization of the clergy furnished
one of the prime motivations of our revolution against Spain; that with overthrow of
Spanish sovereignty only 250 out of 17,000 Spanish friars assigned to Philippines in 1898
were retained; that pursuant to the policy announced by the Holy See, Spanish bishops
were replaced by American Catholic bishops; that during the American regime more
missionaries of different nationalities came to the country; and that at present we have five
Bishops and two Apostolic Prefects of foreign nationalities, while in certain provinces,
such as Surigao, Agusan, Antique, Misamis Oriental, Mindoro, Bukidnon, Davao,
Cotabato, Palawan and Mountain Province, parishes are still under the charge of foreign
friars and missionaries. Now that the independence of Philippines has been finally
achieved, the Republic of Philippines, though it fundamentally recognizes the separation
of Church and State, can no longer remain indifferent to a long-felt need to Filipinize the
local Catholic hierarchy and clergy.
In advocating this reform, the Filipino people are not moved by any spirit of animosity or
hostility against any race or nationality, but they are inspired solely by the desire to win a
just recognition for the Filipino race in their own country and to secure a vindication of
capacity of Filipinos to manage their own affairs, temporal or spiritual. The projected
measure can be achieved without in the least prejudicing interests, or sacrificing the creed
or doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Without in any way presuming to invade an
ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Philippines, it is my honest belief that the spread of
Catholicism among our non-Christian brethren and consequently increase of its followers
in this country. This, in my opinion, is in consonance with the desire of His Holiness Pope
Pius XI when he said:
«From the fact that the Roman Pontiff has entrusted to you and to your helpers a task of
preaching Christian religion to pagan nations, you ought not to conclude that the role of
native clergy is solely that of assisting missionaries in minor matters and in some sort of
completing their work».
What is the object of these holy missions, we ask, except that the Church of Christ may be
instituted and established in those boundless regions? And from what shall the Church be
built up today among heathens, except from those elements out of which it was built up
among us that is unless it is composed of people, clergy and religious men and women
recruited from their own country? Why should native clergy be prevented from cultivating
their country which is their own native soil that is, from governing their own people? In
propagation of Faith, a Filipino priest, by reason of his birth and temper, his sentiments
and interests, is in far better position to carry on his mission than a stranger. As a matter
of fact, he would know better than any foreigner the best method of approach to his own
people and thus he would often have access where an alien priest could never gain an
entrance. Moreover foreign missionaries, on account of their imperfect knowledge of
Filipino language, are frequently prevented from expressing themselves fully and having
themselves clearly understood, as a result of which, force and efficacy of their teachings
are greatly weakened. It will also be a source of genuine satisfaction and lasting inspiration
for Filipino people to see a Filipino at the head of the Catholic Church in Philippines, a
Filipino priest in every parish and a Filipino missionary in every remote corner of the
country. Certainly, it will foster development of national clergy of superior stamp and it
will serve as an ideal incentive for Filipino clergy to work to the highest degree of
perfection and the same time to encourage vocations to religious and sacerdotal life.
In view of foregoing considerations, I beg to convey and reiterate the desire and request of
my people that it is, as it has always been, their cherished hope that after more than four
centuries of Catholicism in Philippines, Your Holiness will see the wisdom of principle
invoked and grant their petition for complete Filipinization of Catholic hierarchy and
clergy in their own country.
— Jose P. Laurel, President of the Philippines to Pope Pius XII
Resistance
Due to the nature of Laurel's government and its connection to

Japan, much of the population actively resisted his presidency,[24]
instead supporting the exiled Commonwealth government.[25]
Postage stamps issued by the

Dissolution of the regime Japanese-controlled Second
Philippine Republic in
On July 26, 1945, the Potsdam Declaration served upon Japan an commemoration of its first
ultimatum to surrender or face utter annihilation. The Japanese anniversary. Depicted on the
government refused the offer. On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima, with stamps is President Laurel
some 300,000 inhabitants, was almost totally destroyed by an
atomic bomb dropped from an American plane. Two days later,
the Soviet Union declared war against Japan and invaded
Manchuria.[26] The next day, August 9, 1945, a second atomic
bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The Allied Forces' message now
had a telling effect: Japan unconditionally surrendered to the
Allied Powers on August 15, 1945.[17]
Beginning in March 1945, President Laurel, together with his

family, Camilo Osías, Benigno Aquino Sr., Gen. Mateo M.
Capinpin, and Jorge B. Vargas evacuated to Baguio. Shortly after
the city fell, they traveled to Tuguegarao, where they embarked a
Laurel (left) being taken into U.S.
bomber plane to Japan via Formosa (now Taiwan) and Shanghai,
custody at Osaka Airport in 1945,
China. On August 17, 1945, from Nara Hotel in Nara, Japan,
along with Benigno Aquino Sr.
President Laurel issued an Executive Proclamation which declared
(center) and José Laurel III.
the dissolution of his regime.[17]
President Laurel is the only Philippine president who served the

three branches of government. He became a senator-congressman, associate justice and a president of
the Second Republic.
Post-presidency (1945–1959)
Collaboration trial and imprisonment
On September 2, 1945, the Japanese forces formally surrendered to the United States. Gen. Douglas
MacArthur ordered Laurel arrested for collaborating with the Japanese. Alongside his son Jose Laurel
III and Benigno Aquino Sr., he was taken to custody and was imprisoned in Yokohama on September
15, 1945. On November 16, 1945, they were transferred to Sugamo Prison. While in prison, he was not
allowed to have any reading material except The World in 2030 A.D., a book by the Earl of
Birkenhead that he received as a gift from his son Salvador. Lacked in writing instruments, he used
this book to write his Memoirs.[2]
On July 23, 1946, Laurel, together with Osias, Aquino, and his son Jose III, left Tokyo for Manila,
having been turned over to the Republic of the Philippines. One month later, he was placed under
technical custody at his Peñafrancia house in Paco, Manila but rather than accepting the given
conditions, he preferred to be imprisoned at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Rizal.[27] He was
later provisionally released in September 1946 after posting a ₱50,000 bail.[3] He was also charged
with 132 counts of treason in 1946 and was tried by the People's Court. However, the trial ended
prematurely due to the general amnesty granted by President Manuel Roxas in 1948.[16]
1949 presidential election
Laurel ran for president as a nominee of the Nacionalista Party against Elpidio Quirino in 1949 but
lost in what future Foreign Affairs Secretary Carlos P. Romulo and Marvin M. Gray considered as the
dirtiest election in Philippine electoral history.[28]
Return to the Senate
Laurel garnered more than 2 million votes and was elected to the
Senate as the top vote getter in 1951, under the Nacionalista Party.
He was urged to run for president in 1953, but declined, working
instead for the successful election of Ramon Magsaysay.
Magsaysay appointed Laurel head of a mission tasked with
negotiating trade and other issues with United States officials, the
result being known as the Laurel–Langley Agreement. Laurel was
also named as chairman of the Senate Committee on Education,
which he held when he sponsored in 1955 a bill that would make Clockwise, from top left: Senator
José Rizal's two novels, Noli Me Tángere and El filibusterismo, as Edmundo Cea, former President
compulsory readings in all universities and colleges.[3] Jose P. Laurel Sr., Senator Cipriano
Primicias, Senate President Eulogio
A. Rodriguez Sr., President Ramon
Retirement and death F. Magsaysay, & House Speaker
Jose B. Laurel, Jr. in Malacañan
Laurel considered his election to the Senate as a vindication of his Palace, 1955
reputation. He declined to run for re-election in 1957. He retired
from public life, concentrating on the development of the Lyceum
of the Philippines established by his family, as well as the Philippine Banking Corporation which he
had established.[3][2]
During his retirement, Laurel resided in a 1957 3-story, 7-bedroom mansion in Mandaluyong, Rizal,
dubbed "Villa Pacencia" after Laurel's wife. The home was one of three residences constructed by the
Laurel family, the other two being in Tanauan, Batangas and in Paco, Manila (called "Villa
Peñafrancia"). In 2008, the Laurel family sold "Villa Pacencia" to then-Senate President Manny Villar
and his wife Cynthia.[29]
In 1958, Laurel launched an organization known as Committee of Citizens, which he headed. On the
same year, it was announced that his book entitled Thinking of Ourselves would be launched and The
Manila Times announced the launching of Unity Movement for National Survival that he sponsored.
On his 68th birthday on March 9, 1959, President Carlos P. Garcia conferred him the award of
Philippine Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander.
In the early afternoon of November 5, 1959, Laurel suffered a stroke. On November 6, 1959, at 1:00 in
the morning, he died at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Manila,[30] from a massive heart attack and
cerebral hemorrhage. He was interred three days later at what is now Tanauan City Public Cemetery
in Tanauan, Batangas.[3][31]
Honors
National Honor
: Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander - (1959)

: Knights of Rizal, Knight Grand Cross
Personal life
He married Pacencia Hidalgo on April 9, 1911.[3] The couple had nine children:
Jose Bayani Laurel Jr. (August 27, 1912 – March 11, 1998), member of the Philippine National
Assembly from Batangas from 1943 to 1944, Congressman from Batangas's third district from
1941 to 1957 and from 1961 to 1972, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
from 1954 to 1957 and from 1967 to 1971, Assemblyman of Regular Batasang Pambansa from
1984 to 1986, Member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 in 1986, and a vice
presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party in Philippine presidential election of 1957
Jose Sotero Laurel III (August 27, 1914 – January 6, 2003), ambassador to Japan
Natividad Laurel-Guinto (born December 25, 1916)
Sotero Cosme Laurel II (September 27, 1918 – September 16, 2009), Senator of the Philippines
from 1987 to 1992 became Senate President pro tempore from 1990 to 1992
Mariano Antonio Laurel (January 17, 1922 – August 2, 1979)[32][33]
Rosenda Pacencia Laurel-Avanceña (born January 9, 1925)
Potenciana "Nita" Laurel-Yupangco (born May 19, 1926)
Salvador Roman Laurel (November 18, 1928 – January 27, 2004), Senator of the Philippines from
1967 to 1972, Prime Minister of the Philippines in 1986, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the
Philippines from 1986 to 1987, Vice President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992 and a
presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party in Philippine presidential election of 1992
Arsenio Laurel (December 14, 1931 – November 19, 1967), first two-time winner of the Macau
Grand Prix in 1962 and 1963
Descendants
Roberto Laurel, grandson, President of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila and Lyceum
of the Philippines University-Cavite, son of Sotero Laurel (3rd son of José P. Laurel)
Peter Laurel, grandson, President of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas and Lyceum
of the Philippines University-Laguna
Franco Laurel, grandson, singer and actor
Rajo Laurel, grandson, fashion designer
Carlos "Chuck" Perez Laurel, grandson
Luis Marcos "Mark" Laurel, grandson, lawyer, son of Sotero Laurel (3rd son of José P. Laurel)
Jose Bayani "JB" Laurel Jr., UNIDO Party list, grandson
José Laurel IV, grandson, representative of the 3rd district of Batangas, son of Jose Laurel Jr.
Francis Castillo-Laurel, grandson
Antonio "Tony" Castillo-Laurel, grandson
Jose "Joey" C. Laurel V, grandson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Philippine
Ambassador to Japan, governor of Batangas
Mercedes "Ditas" Laurel-Marquez, granddaughter
Maria Elena "Marilen" Laurel-Loinaz, granddaughter
Christine C. Laurel, granddaughter
Benjamin "Benjie" C. Laurel+, grandson
Eduardo C. Laurel+, grandson
Susanna "Susie" D. Laurel-Delgado, granddaughter
Celine "Lynnie" D. Laurel-Castillo
Victor "Cocoy" D. Laurel, actor and singer
Iwi Laurel-Asensio, granddaughter, singer and entrepreneur
Patty Laurel, granddaughter, TV host and former MTV VJ
Anton Philippe L. Yupangco, great-grandson, architect and designer
Camille Isabella I. Laurel, UNIDO Party list, great-granddaughter
Ann Maria Margarette I. Laurel great-granddaughter
Jose Antonio Miguel I. Laurel, great-grandson
Franco Laurel, great-grandson, singer and actor
Rajo Laurel, great-grandson, fashion designer
Denise Laurel, great-granddaughter, actress and singer
Nicole Laurel Asensio, great-granddaughter, lead singer of General Luna band
See also
Laurel incident
Notes
a. Retroactively recognized as a legitimate president of the Philippines.
b. Manuel L. Quezon served as president of the government in exile until 1944
c. Sergio Osmeña succeeded Quezon as president of the government in exile in 1944
d. As per the official chronological list of presidents by the cotemporary Philippine government.
e. Osmeña became the sole president of the Philippines upon Laurel's dissolution of the Second
Philippine Republic. The Commonwealth government became the sole governing entity of the
Philippines.
References
1. Tan, Antonio S. (1986). "The Chinese Mestizos and the Formation of the Filipino Nationality" (http
s://www.persee.fr/doc/arch_0044-8613_1986_num_32_1_2316). Archipel. 32: 141–162.
doi:10.3406/arch.1986.2316 (https://doi.org/10.3406%2Farch.1986.2316) – via Persée.
2. "Jose P. Laurel: Biographical Sketch" (http://joseplaurel.com/jose-p-laurel-history/). Jose P. Laurel
Memorial Foundation Incorporated. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
3. "Jose P. Laurel A Register of His Papers in the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Library-Museum" (http://e
prints.rclis.org/11344/1/register_of_Jose_Laurel_Paper.pdf) (PDF). E-LIS repository. Jose P.
Laurel Memorial Library. 1982. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
4. G.R. No. L-7037 (15 March 1912). THE UNITED STATES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. JOSE LAUREL,
ET AL., defendants-appellants (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1912/mar1912/gr_l-7037_1912.h
tml).
5. "Jose P. Laurel Birth Anniversary" (https://ph.news.yahoo.com/jose-p-laurel-birth-anniversary-151
603516.html). Yahoo! News. March 8, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
6. American Colonial Careerist, p. 104
7. "MASTERLIST OF CABINET SECRETARIES/MINISTERS" (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/do
wnloads/MASTERLIST-OF-CABSECS-AND-DEPTS-v1.pdf) (PDF). Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
8. Company, Fookien Times Publishing (1986). The Fookien Times Philippines Yearbook (https://boo
ks.google.com/books?id=cXsMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Jos%C3%A9+P.+Laurel%22+upsilon).
Fookien Times. p. 226. ISBN 9789710503506.
9. Justices of the Supreme Court, p. 175
10. "G.R. No. L-45081" (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1936/jul1936/gr_l-45081_1936.html).
lawphil.net. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
11. G.R. No. 47800 (2 December 1940). MAXIMO CALALANG v. A. D. WILLIAMS (http://www.chanro
bles.com/cralaw/1940decemberdecisions.php?id=237). chanrobles.com. Retrieved 23 January
2017.
12. "The execution of Jose Abad Santos | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines" (https://w
ww.officialgazette.gov.ph/about/gov/judiciary/sc/cj/jose-abad-santos/the-execution-of-jose-abad-sa
ntos/). Officialgazette.gov.ph. 2014-01-21. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
13. Ocampo, Ambeth (2000) [1995]. "The Irony of Tragedy". Bonifacio's Bolo (4th ed.). Pasig: Anvil
Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 971-27-0418-1.
14. Ocampo, Ambeth (2000) [1995]. "The Irony of Tragedy". Bonifacio's Bolo (4th ed.). Pasig: Anvil
Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 971-27-0418-1.
15. "Official Program Aquino Inaugural (Excerpts)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150212173824/http
s://www.scribd.com/mlq3/d/33654204-Official-Program-Aquino-Inaugural-Excerpts). Archived from
the original (https://www.scribd.com/mlq3/d/33654204-Official-Program-Aquino-Inaugural-Excerpt
s) on February 12, 2015.
16. Presidential Proclamation No. 51, s. 1948 (28 January 1948). A Proclamation Granting Amnesty
(https://web.archive.org/web/20190321050055/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1948/01/28/procl
amation-no-51-s-1948/). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the
original (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1948/01/28/proclamation-no-51-s-1948/) on 21 March
2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
17. Molina, Antonio. The Philippines: Through the centuries. Manila: University of Sto. Tomas
Cooperative, 1961. Prin
18. By Sword and By Fire, p. 137
19. Joaquin, Nick (1990). Manila, My Manila. Vera-Reyes, Inc.
20. Gordon, Andrew (2003). The Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present (http
s://books.google.com/books?id=FiEMgP36lScC&q=%22Greater+East+Asia+Conference%22&pg
=PA211). Oxford University Press. p. 211. ISBN 0-19-511060-9. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
21. Presidential Proclamation No. 29 (21 September 1944). Proclaiming Martial Law Throughout the
Philippines (https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/procXXX/proc_29_1944.html). The Lawphil Project -
Philippine Laws and Jurisprudence Databank. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
22. Presidential Proclamation No. 30 (23 September 1944). Proclaiming the Existence of a State of
War in the Philippines (https://web.archive.org/web/20190321045117/https://www.lawphil.net/exec
utive/proc/procXXX/proc_30_1944.html). The Lawphil Project - Philippine Laws and
Jurisprudence Databank. Archived from the original (https://www.lawphil.net/executive/proc/procX
XX/proc_30_1944.html) on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
23. Le président des Iles Philippines Laurel au pape Pie XII. Rome, 11 March 1944. (A.E.S. 1927/44).
Acts and Documents of the Holy See Relative to the Second World War Vol. 11 pp. 232-234
(http://www.vatican.va/archive/actes/documents/Volume-7.pdf#page=232)
24. "Philippine History" (https://web.archive.org/web/20060822045537/http://pinas.dlsu.edu.ph/histor
y/history.html). DLSU-Manila. Archived from the original (http://pinas.dlsu.edu.ph/history/history.ht
ml) on August 22, 2006. Retrieved January 27, 2011. "Japan's efforts to win Filipino loyalty found
expression in the establishment (Oct. 14, 1943) of a "Philippine Republic", with José P. Laurel,
former supreme court justice, as president. But the people suffered greatly from Japanese
brutality, and the puppet government gained little support."
25. Halili, M.c. (2004). Philippine history (https://books.google.com/books?id=gUt5v8ET4QYC&pg=PP
1). Rex Bookstore, Inc. pp. 235–241. ISBN 978-971-23-3934-9. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
26. Molina, Antonio. The Philippines: Through the centuries. Manila: University of Santo Tomas
Cooperative, 1961. Print.
27. Agpalo, Remigio (March 2, 1965). "Pro Deo et Patria: The Political Philosophy of Jose P. Laurel"
(https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ-03-02-1965/Agpalo.pdf) (PDF). Asian Studies
3. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
28. "Elpidio Quirino" (http://philippines-archipelago.com/people/presidents/elpidio_quirino.html).
Retrieved 2009-08-09.
29. Lirio, Gerry (July 13, 2008). "Villars take over storied Laurel house on Shaw Blvd" (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20090209000941/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/2008071
3-148119/Villars-take-over-storied-Laurel-house-on-Shaw-Blvd). Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Archived from the original (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080713-14
8119/Villars-take-over-storied-Laurel-house-on-Shaw-Blvd) on February 9, 2009. Retrieved
March 22, 2009.
30. Justices of the Supreme Court, p. 176
31. "Tanauan | The Premiere City of CALABARZON" (http://www.ivanlakwatsero.com/2011/11/tanaua
n-premiere-city-of-calabarzon.html). Batang Lakwatsero. November 9, 2011. Retrieved
January 30, 2022.
32. Mariano Antonio Laurel's Birth Register (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-26329-49
848-15?cc=2018411&wc=93XC-LG7:341022201,341169601,341022503,341042501)
33. Mariano Laurel's Death Certificate (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17759-8270-50?cc
=1852584&wc=SW5W-VZW:167168101,167167602,167167503,214262501)
Sources
Laurel, Jose P. (1953). Bread and Freedom.
Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press.
Sevilla, Victor J. (1985). Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Vol. I. Quezon City,
Philippines: New Day Publishers. pp. 79–80, 174–176. ISBN 971-10-0134-9.
Malcolm, George A. (1957). American Colonial Careerist. United States of America: Christopher
Publishing House. pp. 103–104, 96–97, 139, 249–251.
Aluit, Alfonso (1994). By Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II February 3 –
March 3, 1945. Philippines: National Commission for Culture and the Arts. pp. 134–138.
ISBN 971-8521-10-0.
Ocampo, Ambeth (2000) [1995]. "The Irony of Tragedy". Bonifacio's Bolo (4th ed.). Pasig: Anvil
Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 971-27-0418-1.
President Jose P. Laurel (http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/second-republic/jose-p-laurel/)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160323182339/http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/sec
ond-republic/jose-p-laurel/) 2016-03-23 at the Wayback Machine
President of the Philippines José Paciano Laurel's address, Greater East Asia Conference,
November 5–6, 1943 (http://www.sdh-fact.com/CL/ADDRESS-OF-Jose-LAUREL.pdf)
External links
Works by or about Jose P. Laurel (https://archive.org/search.php?query=%28%28subject%3A%22
Laurel%2C%20José%20P.%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Laurel%2C%20José%20P%2E%22%
20OR%20subject%3A%22Laurel%2C%20J%2E%20P%2E%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Jos
é%20P.%20Laurel%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22José%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20su
bject%3A%22J%2E%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20subject%3A%22Laurel%2C%20José%
22%20OR%20subject%3A%22José%20Laurel%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22José%20P.%20L
aurel%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22José%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22
J%2E%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22J%2E%20P.%20Laurel%22%20O
R%20creator%3A%22Laurel%2C%20José%20P.%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Laurel%2C%2
0José%20P%2E%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Laurel%2C%20J%2E%20P%2E%22%20OR%
20creator%3A%22Laurel%2C%20J%2E%20P.%22%20OR%20creator%3A%22José%20Laurel%
22%20OR%20creator%3A%22Laurel%2C%20José%22%20OR%20title%3A%22José%20P.%20
Laurel%22%20OR%20title%3A%22José%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20title%3A%22J%2
E%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20title%3A%22José%20Laurel%22%20OR%20descriptio
n%3A%22José%20P.%20Laurel%22%20OR%20description%3A%22José%20P%2E%20Laurel%
22%20OR%20description%3A%22J%2E%20P%2E%20Laurel%22%20OR%20description%3A%
22Laurel%2C%20José%20P.%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Laurel%2C%20José%20P%2
E%22%20OR%20description%3A%22José%20Laurel%22%20OR%20description%3A%22Laure
l%2C%20José%22%29%20OR%20%28%221891-1959%22%20AND%20Laurel%29%29%20AN
D%20%28-mediatype:software%29) at Internet Archive
The Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation (http://www.freewebs.com/foundationproject08/index.ht
m)
The Philippine Presidency Project (http://www.pangulo.ph)
"JOSE LAUREL DIES; FILIPINO LEADER; Head of Wartime Japanese Puppet Regime – Lost
Race for President in 1949" (http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70B16F93E551B7
B93C4A9178AD95F4D8585F9). New York Times. November 6, 1959. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
Offices and distinctions [show]
Senate of the Philippines

Preceded by Senator from the 5th senatorial district Succeeded by
Antero Soriano 1925–1931 Claro M. Recto
Majority leader of the Senate of the

Preceded by Succeeded by
Philippines
Francisco Enage Benigno S. Aquino
1928–1931
Legal offices
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
Court reorganised
George A. Malcolm 1936–1941
Political offices
Secretary of the Interior of the
Philippines
Teodoro Kalaw Felipe Agoncillo
1922–1923
Preceded by
Commissioner of Justice Succeeded by
Teófilo Sison
1941–1942 Teófilo Sison
as Secretary of Justice
Preceded by
Manuel L. Quezon
as president of the
Philippines
Succeeded by
President of the Republic of the
Preceded by Sergio Osmeña
Philippines
as president of the
Jorge B. Vargas (de 1943–1945
Philippines
facto)
as Presiding Officer of the
Philippine Executive
Commission
Party political offices

Nacionalista Party nominee for
President of the Philippines
Sergio Osmeña Ramon Magsaysay
1949
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8/6/23, 5:07 PM Jose P.

Early life and education

he completed the Spanish secondary course of instruction. In office

Angara v. Electoral Commission (http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1936/jul1936/gr_l-45081_19

The Constitution is a definition of the powers of government. Who is to determine the

Cabinet member and accession

When Japan invaded, President Manuel L. Quezon first fled to

Under vigorous Japanese influence, the National Assembly

Administration and cabinet

During his presidency, the Philippines faced a crippling food

Foreign policies President Jose P. Laurel Official

On October 20, 1943, the Philippine-Japanese Treaty of Alliance

Greater East Asia Conference

Shortly after the inauguration of the Second Philippine Republic,

The Conference addressed few issues of any substance,

Greater East Asia Conference

Filipinization of the Catholic Church

— Jose P. Laurel, President of the Philippines to Pope Pius XII

Due to the nature of Laurel's government and its connection to

Postage stamps issued by the

Beginning in March 1945, President Laurel, together with his

President Laurel is the only Philippine president who served the

Collaboration trial and imprisonment

1949 presidential election

Return to the Senate

: Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander - (1959)

Offices and distinctions [show]

Senate of the Philippines

Majority leader of the Senate of the

Party political offices

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jose_P._Laurel&oldid=1165366568"

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