Jose P. Laurel : A Silhouette
By Atsushi Kimura
Simultaneous with the attainment of national independence on October 14, Dr. Jose P. Laurel was installed as the first President of the Republic of the Philippines. In the past, he was intimately connected with the political activities in the country, and, as a Senator, he proved an asset in dealing with complex and intricate legal and constitutional questions. He is generally regarded as the foremost lawyer of the Philippines and is possessed of wide vision, deep knowledge and receptive understanding. It would be quite fitting to call him a lawyer-statesman, for he is passionately and intuitively interested in looking at a thing, laying particular emphasis on its legal side. One can also picture him as a distinguished leader who gives his decision with a law-book in one hand and a cigar in the other. Dr. Laurel is an inveterate cigar-smoker. It is said that he smokes sixteen cigars a day.
From the very beginning of his public career, Dr. Laurel showed a remarkable proficiency in reasoned and well-ordered thinking. The speeches he made at the Senate or the addresses he delievered at public gatherings, were all punctuated with legal uprightness. And when he argued before the court to defend his clients, he stood fast by his legal discernment. More recently, his faith in legal uprightness was clearly demonstrated in the manner in which he ordered the holding of the first session of the National Assembly after the inauguration of the Republic. Before the Philippines became an independent State, he served as Secretary of the Interior and as a justice of the Supreme Court. The Tokyo Imperial University in 1937 conferred on him the degree of Hohgaku-hakushi (LL. D.) in
appreciation of his legal talent.
Dr. Laurel from his early life entertained nationalist aspiration and, observing the progress of Japan, espoused a sincere admiration for this country. In the spring of 1920, young Laurel was returning home from Europe on board the Japanese vessel Kagawa Maru. During the voyage, he became acquainted with three young Japanese officials. They were Eiji Amau of the Foreign Office, Kazuo Aoki of the Finance Ministry and Isei Ohtsuka of the Home Office, the last two having been sent on inspection trips to Europe and the United States. These three officials are now respectively holding the posts of the President of the Board of Information, Minister for Greater East Asia Affairs and supreme advisor to the Japanese military administration in the south. Young Laurel, after becoming friendly with the Japanese officials, discussed freely with them the situations in the world and the problems of East Asia and of the Philippines. As a result of frank conversations, all of them began to entertain the vision of a new East Asia, and the youthful Laurel, recognizing the part Japan would have to play in the future, evinced an ardent desire to come closer to the people of this country. Subsequently, when he came to occupy a high position in the Philippine Commonwealth, he visited Japan and stressed the necessity of fostering Filipino-Japanese amity.
At that time of his meeting with the aforesaid three Japanese officials Dr. Laurel was coming back to the Philippines on completing his studies in the United States by way of Europe. It was unexpectedly that he struck a friendship with them. Each of the quartette in the course of long talks felt that something revolutionary ought to be done sooner or later to harmonize the relations between the countries of East Asia, so that alien interference could be restricted to the minimum. On their return, while Dr. Laurel found a propitious opportunity to build his career as a coming leader, Messrs. Amau, Aoki and Ohtsuka began to exert themselves to advance their official positions by dint of meritorious work.
As Dr. Laurel started to climb up the ladder of fame step by step, his nationalistic fervour grew more mature, and ultimately he rose to become one of the influential personages of his country. Likewise, Messrs. Amau, Aoki and Ohtsuka, rising gradually to higher positions, gained recognition as shrewd administrators. It is, indeed, significant that these four persons, who in their youthful days cherished the cause of East Asiatic harmony, should now be occupying key positions in their own spheres so as to contribute to the materialization of greater East Asia homogeneity.
The fifty-two year old President of the Philippine Republic was born in 1891. On graduation from the Manila University in 1915, he immediately passed the bar examination and became an official of the Department of the Interior. Soon thereafter, he left for the United States and obatined the degree of LL. B. at the Yale University in 1919. The following year, he returned home via Europe, and on the homeward journey he accidently became acquainted with the three Japanese officials on the board the Kagawa Maru as already mentioned. In 1922, he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Interior and in 1923, promoted to become the Secretary of the Interior. That he was elevated to such a high position at the age of thirty-two is evidence enough that he is a man of gifted ability. Unfortunately, within a few months of the assumption of the new post he had to tender his resignation by taking the responsibility for what is known as the Conley case. An American police officer by the name of Conley was discharged on suspicion of corruption. The then Governor-General Wood, after holding an inquiry, reinstated him. In consequence, a tussle ensued between the Governor-General on one side and the Philippine Legislature and public on the other, culminating in the en bloc resignation of the Filipino members from the administration. This was the only occasion that a deadlock of this nature was witnessed in the forty years of American rule. Governor-General Wood accepted the resignation of the Filipino members, including Dr. Laurel, and appointed new
ones in their places.
In 1925, Dr. Laurel was elected a member of the Senate. Throughout his term of six years, he served as chairmen of many important committees and endeavoured to improve and enlarge the function of the Philippine Legislature. At the Constitution Conference of 1934-35, he was active as one of the delegates, and his handling of the constitutional affairs proved helpful in reaching concrete results. When the Commonwealth of the Philippines was organized in 1935 with a time limit fixed for the attainment of independence by the country, he was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court, which post he held until the Japanese occupation of Manila in the current war in greater East Asia. No sooner it became clear that Japan was desirous of granting independence to the Philippines within this year than his services were sought in connection with the drafting of the projected independent constitution, in addition to his duties as the commissioner of the interior under the Japanese military administration. And when the Philippine Independence Preparation Committee was formed, he, as its chairman, played a notable rôle in the drafting of the new Republican constitution, which was adopted by the newly organized National Assembly. A few days later, he was unanimously chosen by a national convention as president-elect.
What is called the Tacloban case endeared Dr. Laurel to the Japanese residents in the Philippines. In the spring of 1931, the body of a young Filipino was found at Tacloban on the northern coast of Leyte Island. The post-mortem examination revealed that the victim was murdered. On the evidence of certain witnesses, three Japanese were arrested. At that time, the anti-Japanese feeling was rather strong in the Philippines because of the hostilities in Manchuria and the Shanghai incident. The investigating police officer forced confessions out of the three Japanese who were held in custody. On the strength of the confessions, they were adjudged guilty and the court sentenced two to death and one to twenty years'
imprisonment. The Japanese Association, being convinced of their innocence, took steps to file an appeal with the Supreme Court in Manila and briefed Dr. Laurel to defend the accused. As the case had certain mysterious elements, its re-examination by the Supreme Court took some time. When it was taken up by the Supreme Court, Dr. Laurel uspset the prosecution evidence and contested the validity of the forced confessions, with the result that the three defendants were cleared of the charge of murder and acquitted.
The relations between Japan and the Philippines were most strained from 1931 to 1935. During this four-year period, almost all the Filipino leaders assented to the Japan policy of the United States, for they hoped that by adopting such a course they would able to realize the independence of their country with as favourable terms and conditions as possible. Their policy of appeasing America was especially manifested in their attempt to levy heavy customs tariff on Japanese goods which were competing with the products of the United States. Of the Japanese goods imported into the Philippines, the items which were made the first object of heavy tariff were cotton piecegoods and cotton products. It must, however, be mentioned that those who concurred with the policy of restricting Japanese goods did so either on their own initiative or under the pressure of the Washington Government without consulting the sentiment of the Filipino people as a whole. It is, therefore, no wonder that the bill for raising customs tariff was not passed by the Philippine Legislature.
When it became apparent that the Manila authorities were considering the question of curtailing the commercial activities of Japan, diplomatic quarters of this country thought that it would be useful to make the Filipino people understand the good intention of the Japanese nation. Hence, it was decided to publish a few pamphlets for distribution in the Philippines setting forth in frank manner the viewpoints of Japan. Meanwhile, Japanese business circles in Manila undertook the task of informing the Filipino leaders that they had no intention to
encroach upon the commercial and economic activities of the Philippines. Also they pointed out that if the Filipino people wished to buy dearer American products in place of cheaper Japanese goods, such a move, in their opinion, would work detrimentally to the interest of their national economy. While attempts were thus being made to acquaint the Filipino leaders and public with the good intention of Japan, the necessity of having the collaboration of at least one prominent local man was felt, and so Dr. Laurel was approached. He readily agreed to give all possible assistance to Japan quite disinterestedly and declined to be remunerated. He drafted and revised many of the protests lodged by the Japanese Consulate-General in Manila with the Philippine Government authorities. Dr. Laurel consented to be helpful, because he was convinced in his mind that the Philippines and Japan must establish good-neighbourly relations for common benefit.
The Japanese Consulate-General requested Dr. Laurel to handle a judicial case concerning the fishing craft Hosho Maru. The vessel was a fifteen-ton motor fishing boat registered at Takao in Formosa. While engaged in fishing off Formosa toward the end of 1932, she encountered a storm and took shelter at Salomague Island. A customs boat looking for poachers discovered the Hosho Maru and, arresting the captain and the crew on the suspicion of poaching, sent them to Manila for examination. After investigation, the Central Customs Office recognized the craft as a poaching boat and ordered her confiscation, though nothing incriminating was found. It seems that such a determined action was taken to give a warning to poachers. The Japanese Consulate-General negotiated with the Central Customs Office and arranged to take over the captain and the crew and send them to Takao. At the same time, after consultation with Dr. Laurel, it began to contemplate the institution of a suit against the Central Customs Office.
When the Japanese Consulate-General intimated to Dr. Laurel its decision to sue the Central Customs Office, he took
up the case and informed his willingness to handle it without any fee. He spent much time and even incurred expenses in collecting facts from various quarters to make the presentation of the case as sound as possible. After marshalling all the necessary data he submitted to the court a document of several hundred pages bearing on the case. The Central Customs Office, too, collected counter-proofs and placed them before the court for its perusal. The official proofs brought forward were found insufficient to break down the contention of Dr. Laurel as set forth in his document. The court, on scrutinizing the evidences supplied by both sides, gave judgment that the fishing craft should be restored to the original owner, and that all losses and damages caused by the confiscation should be compensated. It may be added that the Hosho Maru was turned over to the owner, but as she was held in custody for a long time her engines and body had rotted beyond further use. On the other hand, the compensation decreed by the court was not paid by the Central Customs Office on the ground that there was no fund to pay it.
In June of this year, while Dr. Laurel was serving as commissioner of the interior under the Japanese military administration, he was shot and wounded by some recalcitrants. They were later apprehended by the Japanese military authorities and dealt with appropriately. The shooting incident disclosed that a few misguided Filipinos, harbouring anti-Japanism, conspired to do away with Dr. Laurel, who is sincerely anxious to bring about cordial relations between his country and Japan. Dr. Laurel upon recovery redoubled his efforts to rectify misconception about Japan in the Philippines. He addressed mass meetings and instructed district officials urging the necessity of fostering amity with Japan. He laid stress on the fact that the destiny of the Philippines is inter-related with that of Japan. Today, the Republic of the Philippines under the leadership of President Dr. Laurel has resolved itself to establish enduring contacts with Japan for mutual security and prosperity. The Filipino people have no longer any doubt as to the friendly and
good-neighbourly intention of Japan. Dr. Laurel deserves to be congratulated for the part he has played in facilitating the swift adjustment of the Filipino people to the new conditions that have developed in greater East Asia.
President Laurel, who has shouldered the responsibility of making the Philippine Republic a worthy, contributive unit of greater East Asia, is a dynamic personality. By enunciating the doctrine of service to the State and protection of independence, he has already brought about a visible change in the political outlook of the Filipino people. He has put into effect several measures designed to improve the lot of the rural people, stabilize national livelihood and strengthen regional consciousness. He is advocating intensive agrarian cultivation to assure economic recovery. He is personally interested in tilling. In the backyard of his Manila house, he keeps several chickens and even two pigs and raises vegetables. In his home province of Batangas, he has a large farm where domestic animals are kept and fruit trees cultivated. Of course, it is not uncommon among the prominent Filipino people to have kitchen gardens attached to their houses. In Manila, many of the houses have vegetable patches. Nonetheless, it is certainly noteworthy that the Chief Executive of the nation is farm-minded.
Dr. Laurel has nine children. His eldest son is now doing important work as one of the directors of the Kalibapi—the national political organization. His second son, who is the only Filipino graduate of the Army College of Japan, is serving him as secretary. His third son is at present studying in Tokyo. He is of the opinion that it would be of great advantage to the Philippine nation if more students were to study in Japan, for in that event they would be able to emulate the progressive qualities of the Japanese people. Dr. Laurel is a man of fine sensibility. He appreciates objects of art and likes to hear good music. He himself sometimes relaxes by playing violin. Being a lawyer, he is naturally a good conversationalist and knows how to present his points and arguments. When he came to Tokyo as president-elect two weeks prior to the declaration of
Philippine independence, official quarters and newspaper correspondents had the opportunity of getting acquainted with his forceful way of speaking. Again, when he addressed the greater East Asiatic nations' assembly in Tokyo on the first day of the two-day session on November 5, he impressed all the distinguished leaders present with his eloquence. Activity being his watchword, he is always vigourful and energetic.
President Laurel has come to lead the Philippines at a momentous turning-point in its history. He has been called upon to solve difficult and weighty problems and eliminate the inimical vestiges of the past alien rule. It can be envisioned that during his tenure of office the Republic will give testimony to its ability to forge ahead with its new way of life. At this juncture, President Laurel shall have to concentrate on carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and reinforce the defence preparedness of the nation. He has declared that the Republic is determined to resist outside invasion. This means that the Filipino people will take up arms resolutely were the sovereignty of their country to be violated. Having secured the co-operation of Japan and the nations of greater East Asia, President Laurel has placed the future stride of the Philippines on a better and firmer foundation.