Carlos P. Garcia
Carlos Polistico Garcia was born on November 4, 1896.He was a Filipino teacher, poet,
orator, lawyer, public official, and guerrilla leader. He became the 8th President of the
Philippines and was known for his "Filipino First" policy, which made the interests of the
Filipino people more important then the foreigners and the ruling party.
He started his political career in 1925 when he got a victory running for
congressman representing the third district of Bohol. He was elected for another
term but only served until 1931 when he ran for governor of Bohol and won. He served
as 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
elected as vice-president in 1953 and was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs under
President Magsaysay. He assumed the presidency on March 23, 1957 the day after
Ramon Magsaysay's death.
From 1957- 1961 he was the 8th president. During his administration he made 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 made changes in retail
trade. He made the Filipino First Policy, which he was known for. This policy favored
Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. This meant foreigners could invest capital
up to 40% in a business or industry while the remaining 60% would be owned by
Filipino citizens. Garcia's policies aimed at boosting the economy and obtaining greater
economic independence.
On June 1, 1971, Garcia was elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional
Convention because he lost his re-election for presidency against Vice-President
Diosdado Macapagal. The convention delegates elected him as the President of the
Convention. Just days after his election on June 14, 1971, Garcia suffered a fatal heart...