Manuel Roxas: A Life in Politics (Outline)

Revised Outline and Chapter Summaries (7/13/01)

(Please note that the chapters are highly compressed as they are only 20 pages each. Further 2 pages each for foreword, preface; 4-6 pages for introduction/prologue)

i. Foreword: to be decided by the Roxas Foundation

ii. Preface: To be decided by the Roxas Foundation

iii. Author’s introduction/prologue

This is meant to be a political, not personal biography; it will show the reasons why Manuel Roxas rose to be the First President of the Republic; how he fought politically, and on the field, with courage and conviction; how he should be appreciated as a man who assumed the herculean task of being the first president of an independent republic.

Mabini’s blueprint for independence; the foundations for what Roxas et al. Followed.
Chapter 1:  The End of the Beginning (1948)

MR’s body arrives at Tutuban station. the first wake open to the public, avoiding the criticisms over the limited wake at Malacanan for MLQ; People’s reactions at the wake and to MAR’s death (Tutay account in PFP);  flashback to account of Roxas’s last day (PFP and Lichauco); description of MAR, the man (Gwekoh)

Chapter 2: Master of the House (1919-1932)

1919-1934:  Roxas’ rise to political fame and the fight for Philippine independence.
Brief account of youth, education; Romero’s account of MR at Ayuntamiento with MLQ prior to Collectevista-Unipersonalista fight; MR’s mastery of the House and reasons for it; explanation of Cabinet Crisis of 1922; summaries of MAR’s participation in independence missions; MR meets with Coolidge; observations of contemporaries on how he was the rising man, replacing Palma as the 3rd man in the triumvirate of leadership; Ang Bagong Katipunan (first signs of MLQ’s mistrust); decision to go on OsRox mission.

(photos)

Chapter 3: The Great Divide (1932-1935)

OsRox leaves; account of OsRox mission; its achievements; OsRox vs. QuAqAl; explanation of Pro and Anti fight, to argue it was mere politicking is to debase both sides, OsRox and MLQ; MAR deposed from Speakership; Sen. Hawes’ visit; nation divides; MLQ manages Tydings-McDuffie; MAR decides to be delegate to Constitutional Convention.

(photos)

Chapter 4: Building the Foundation (1935-1937)

MR in ConCon; Romero’s account of his being one of the 7 wise men, how he layed low and looked forward to posterity at this time; Romero’s account of MR’s preference for bicameralism (will be important to explain his later decisions to support 1940 amendments); continuing friction between Pro and Anti even with establishment of Commonwealth; MR decides to stay in National Assembly rather than enter Cabinet (Harrison account); MLQ’s continued suspicion; MAR finally accepts invitation to join cabinet.

Chapter 5: The Triumvirate (1937-1942)

MR begins rapprochement with MLQ; work on tax code; work on economic provisions of Tydings McDuffie; work as Secreteary of Finance; life as Secretary of Finance and renewed closeness with MLQ; observations of contemporaries (Gen. Vicente Lim); 1940 amendments, MR’s principled reasons for advocating them; preparations for war, MR elected to senate; outbreak of war; MR’s decision to stay in the country; his evacuation to Corregidor; his being designated successor to MLQ and SO; escape from Corregidor; refusal, twice, to leave for exile; Jose Abad Santos (MLQ’s personal representative) killed; meeting at Yulo’s house, decision to cooperate; meanwhile, MR is captured – Lichauco diary accounts of alarm over his possible death.

(photos)

Chapter 6:  An Understanding (1943-1945)

1943-1946:  The Second World War and the exhibition of Roxas’ leadership. Lichauco account of MR’s transfer to Manila; flashback to Col. Jimbo’s saving Roxas’ life; MR’s secret guerrilla activities; explanation of MLQ-SO-MR understanding on proper role for guerrillas; forced service in puppet government (Molina account of film of MR signing puppet republic constitution but obviously altering his signature); other accounts of how people knew where Roxas stood; MR meets with Emigdio Cruz; MacArthur returns; imprisonment of others; some guerrillas (ex. Peralta, berated by MLQ earlier, see Harrison diary) want revenge; so-called collaborators want revenge too (de las Alas diary); Osmena and evident dissatisfaction from either side; MAR elected Senate President.

Chapter 7:  Helmsman at Last  (1945-1946)

1945-1948. MAR and his break with Osmena; people’s longing for strong leadership; AAQ supports MAR; his election a vindication of his name; problems with peace and order;close: independence day ceremonies; MAR raises the Philippine flag which waves free and alone at last.

Chapter 8: Second Don Manuel (1946-1948)

Takes first oath of office at ruined Legislative building; his cabinet; his lieutenants in both houses; reason he was nicknamed such by the Press; Locsin account of MR dealing with press; his hectic schedule (Official Gazette); accomplishments, projects and plans (Blue Book of First Year of the Republic); the problems of governance – parity, bell trade: MAR’s grand gamble to get the best deal for a prostrate country, despite threats and lack of follow through of Americans on FDR’s promises; accounts of his dealings with McNutt, Congress, with opponents on parity, etc.; how his vision was based on pragmatism, reality, and in conformity with the vision of his predecessors; his flexebility in negotiation paving the way for future changes; his deteriorating health. An ailing Quirino boards the Anemone; receives news.

Chapter 9: The end of the Beginning  (April, 1948)

Qurino arrives at Malacanan; weeps over the bier; the funeral begins – CM’s oration. the funeral obsequies; – Recto, then PFP editorial; the funeral; the original epitaph. Summations of his life, Quirino himself (his memoirs)

(photos)

Postscript:

iv. End Notes for chapters

v. Bibliography

vi. Acknowledgements

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Manuel L. Quezon III.

3 thoughts on “Manuel Roxas: A Life in Politics (Outline)

  1. It’s my first time to see your site and it is nice. One thing that caught my attention is that video on the right side. The Explainer. Was that the last brawl that happened in Congress? Funny and sad. People can see one of the several reasons why we Pinoys are having a hard time becoming great.

  2. “…how his vision was based on pragmatism, reality, and in conformity with the vision of his predecessors…”

    I’m looking forward in reading your take on the mindset of Roxas as he sets on the monumental task of reconstructing a war-torn Philippines. It will be illuminating to determine parallelisms between the Roxas government, the Aquino government and the Arroyo government as they all (relatively speaking) struggled in rebuilding our country’s economic and political structures from scratch. How far can a president go in implementing needed policies without deviating from the visions and aspirations of our political forebears?

    Good luck on the writing.

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