When WW2 broke out in the Pacific theater in 1941, the Philippines was a commonwealth country under the supervision of the US, which had promised the independence of the Philippines come 1946. Japan occupied the Philippines from 1942 to 1945. During the Japanese occupation, the Philippines gained its ostensible independence in 1943 in exchange for its support for Japan’s war effort. Jose Laurel became the president soon afterwards and his tenure lasted until the defeat of Japan in 1945.

                      Laurel during his visit to Tokyo to attend the Greater East

                  Asia Conference in November, 1943.

This gives rise to questions such as “Why Laurel accepted the presidency?” “What was his role as the president under the Japanese occupation?” “How did the ordinary Pilipino view his presidency?” To answer these, let’s delve into the history of that time.

Laurel’s father was an official working for the First Philippine Republic (1899-1901), which was established after throwing out the Spanish colonial power but unfortunately was short-lived as the US took control of the country soon afterwards. Laurel studied law in his country then went to the US where he got a JSD from Yale Law School in 1920. Returning to the Philippines in 1921, Laurel first entered into government services, then the judicial institution, before finally entering the political world.

When Japan invaded the Philippines, the Commonwealth president, Manuel Quezon decided to flee his country for the US, where he established a government in-exile. Before leaving, Quezon advised his Commonwealth ministers to stay in the Philippines to coordinate with the Japanese for the purpose of taking care of the Pilipino people.      

So, Laurel held several governmental positions, such as Commissioner of Justice and Minister of Justice, as requested by the Japanese military. Then in line with a preplanned occupational policy, Japan granted the Philippines independence. Laurel became the president of the Second Republic of the Philippines on October 14, 1943.   

The photo shows attendants for The Greater East Asia Conference on November 5, 1943. Jose Laurel is second from the right. In the center is General Tojo Hideki.

Laurel did face a difficult task of cooperating with the Japanese war effort while simultaneously taking care of his people. On October, 1943, the Philippine-Japan Treaty of Alliance was signed. There, Laurel managed to eschew a Japanese request to incorporate the conscription of the Pilipino men. Soon after the proclamation of martial law, Laurel declared that the existence of a state of war between the Philippines and the US and the UK on September 23, 1944, as a compromise of not committing to the declaration of war against the two countries. On the home front, Laurel tackled food shortage and looming hunger but with little success.

Postage stamps issued by the Second Republic depicting Jose Laurel

Perhaps the biggest problem confronting Laurel was the resentment of the people against the Japanese occupation in general. The occupational administration was in reality focused on the “exploitation” of the Pilipino resources rather than the wellbeing of its people. The dire situation was exacerbated by the widespread Pilipino guerrilla activities.    

After the war, the Philippines gained independence from the US in 1946 as promised. Manuel Roxas was elected as the new president in 1946. Roxas also worked for Laurel during the occupation. It was Roxas who gave amnesty to Laurel (who was imprisoned for being a collaborator) and other so-called high-profile officials, including Jorge Vargas (Executive Secretary) during the occupation.

As a result, Laurel renewed his political activity in earnest. Roxas died in 1948; therefore, a presidential election was held in 1949. Laurel took the opportunity and ran for the election and garnered considerable votes but lost to Elpidio Quirino. Then Laurel went on to be elected as a senator in 1951. In this sense, the Pilipino people regarded Laurel as a trustworthy politician. Perhaps, the people did see the difference between a traitor and a collaborator. 

Lastly, let me mention Jose Laurel III, one of Laurel’s sons, who graduated from the Japanese army academy (1934-1937). He became an ambassador to Japan (1966-1971). Interestingly enough, his son, Jose Laurel V also became an ambassador to Japan (2017-2022).  

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