The Leadership of Elpidio Quirino

 Elpidio Quirino was born on November 16, 1980, in Vigan and died on February 28, 1956, in Novalovhes, at the age of 65. He finished his elementary education in Vigan Primary School and continued at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he completed his secondary education. Finally, he obtained a law degree from the University of the Philippines in 1915. 

Before becoming president, Quirino had a long career in public service. In fact, after World War II, Quirino served as secretary of state and vice president under the first president of the independent Philippines, who was led by Manuel Roxas. When President Roxas died on April 15, 1948, Quirino became the president. His presidency came at a challenging time, as the country was still recovering from the effects of World War II and struggling with economic issues.

As the postwar reconstruction of the Philippines
was still undergoing, Quirino fixed the economy of his administration through establishing PACSA (President’s Action Committee on Social Amelioration), ACCFA (Agricultural Credit Cooperatives Financing Administration), the Labor Management Advisory Board, and the Rural Banks of the Philippines. These were made to ease the sufferings of poor families, help the farmers market their products, and help countrymen in the rural areas manage their finances. Second, he tried to restore the faith of the people in the government body of the Philippines. He revived "fireside chats" of former president Quezon that update people about the government.

Despite his many successes, Quirino faced some serious challenges during his presidency. First, he was the first president to undergo an impeachment trial because he allegedly purchased a very expensive Golden Orinola using government money. Second is the Hukbalahap, a communist rebel group, which was a major problem during his presidency. Third is corruption. Quirino’s administration faced accusations of corruption, especially among some of his cabinet members. These scandals affected his public image, even though there was no evidence linking Quirino himself to any wrongdoing.

REFERENCES

WordPress. (2010, April 6). Philippine Presidents. https://bloomspresidents.wordpress.com/elpido-r-quirino/

Robinson, J. (2018, November 26). NHK World Special: Hatred And Forgiveness. KPBS Public Media. https://www.kpbs.org/news/arts-culture/2015/09/03/nhk-world-special-hatred-and-forgiveness