June 9, 1945, with the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Forces and the reestablishment of the Commonwealth Government in the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines met for the first time since the election of its members on November 11, 1941, at its provisional quarters on Lepanto Street, Sampaloc, Manila.
In the Senate, Senator Manuel A. Roxas, former brigadier-general in the USAFFE, was chosen President of the Senate, with Senator Elpidio Quirino as President Pro-tempore, and Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr. as Floor Leader. In the House of Representatives, Jose C. Zulueta became Speaker of the House of Representatives, with Representative Prospero Sanidad as Speaker Pro-tempore, and Eugenio Perez as Floor Leader. This Congress passed various measures concerning the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Philippines.
In his message, President Sergio Osmeña spoke of the great problems of reconstruction and rehabilitation lying ahead. He said: “So I say to every Filipino and to all other elements in our state, that the die is cast. Our course is straight and inflexible. We are going forward to the achievement of our national aspiration. […] Let us get together in one mighty effort. Let us set aside selfish considerations and forget petty differences. Only in unity, can there be strength. To the experienced, I turn for advice. From the youth of the land, I ask for its enthusiasm and energies. My faith in our people is unbounded. Over the ruins of our cities and barrios, we shall build anew. In this most crucial hour of our history, I look forward to our destiny unafraid, confident that, God willing, ours will be a happy, progressive and prosperous land.”
President Sergio Osmeña, with calm courage and quiet dignity, tackled the arduous task of rehabilitating and reconstituting the land, which had been cruelly ravaged by war. He reestablished the pre-war bureaus and offices and created new ones to meet the exigencies of the times. He reorganized the Cabinet and the Council of State. He distributed relief commodities to indigent families, reestablished the provincial and municipal governments, reopened the schools and colleges, and rehabilitated the industries, trade, transportation, and communication.
Sources and References:
1. Gregorio F. Zaide, Sonia M. Zaide, History of the Republic of the Philippines, Metro Manila, 1983, 1987, pp. 357–358
2. Manuel D. Duldulao, A Century of Philippine Legislature, Experience Philippines, Quezon City, Vol. I, p. 374
3. Presidential Museum and Library PH
4. Philippine Almanac Book of Facts, 1986 Edition, Aurora Publications, p. 34
*On May 6, 1945, the war in Europe came to a close because of Germany’s surrender to the Allied Powers. This was called V-E Day, meaning, “Victory-in-Europe-Day.” But the war in the Pacific continued. The Japanese warlords still defied the Allies.
What brought Japan finally to her knees were the horrible atomic bombs. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and it wiped out 60% of the city. Two days later, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki felt the terrible explosion of the second atomic bomb: 40% of the city vanished. Unable to carry on the struggle and at the public behest of Japanese Emperor Hirohito, Japan finally surrendered unconditionally on August 15, 1945. Two days later, President Jose P. Laurel, a refuge in Nara, Japan, dissolved the Second Philippine Republic.
On September 2, 1945, the war with Japan ended. The formal ceremony of Japan’s surrender was held on board the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Japan, presided over the historic ceremonies.
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