President of the Second Republic of the Philippines October 14, 1943 - August 15, 1945 Personal Data Date of Birth: March 9, 1891 Place of Birth: Tanauan, Batangas Father: Sotero Laurel Mother: Jacoba Garcia Spouse: Prudencia Hidalgo Children: Jose II, Jose III, Sotero, Natividad, Rosenda, Potenciana, Mariano, Salvador and Arsenio
Date of Death: November 6, 1959 Place of Death: Manila Cause of Death: Heart Attack Age of Death: 68 Education Elementary and Secondary Tanauan High School Colegio de San Juan de Letran Manila High School College Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines (1915) Master of Laws, Escuela de Derecho (1919) Doctor of Civil Laws, Yale University, United States (1920) Doctor of Philosophy, University of Santo Tomas (1936) Doctor of Laws, Tokyo Imperial University, Tokyo, Japan (1938)
Important Notes in History
While he has the capability to leave the country during the Japanese regime, he chose to face the traits that besieged the country. Tasked by President Quezon to reconciled with the Japanese to save his countrymen. Accused of being a collaborator, traitor and pro-Japanese. Worked at the Bureau of Forestry to finance his studies in spite of his parents capability to send him to school. Obtained the second highest grade in the bar examinations. One of his professor in his Law courses was U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice and the U.S. President William Howard Taft. Author of the book about law, the Constitutional Law of the Philippines. Was temporary Chairman of the Constitutional Convention before the election of its president, Claro M. Recto. One of the so-called Seven Wise Men who studied the Constitution. Was Assistant Secretary and later Secretary of the Interior in 1922. Was Associated Justice of the Supreme Court in 1936. Spoke at the Congress for the interest of the Japanese upon his return from Tokyo Imperial University in Japan. Was president of the Japanese Sponsored Philippine Republic during the Japanese Regime. Arrested through the order of Gen. Douglas MacArthur for collaboration and was jailed at Sugamo Prison near Tokyo, Japan. Was tried with some Filipinos who were suspected of convincing with the Japanese by a court of the people after the return of the Philippine Commonwealth. Bested the twenty candidates for senator under the reign of Quirino. Tasked by President Magsaysay to head the Economic Mission where the Laurel-Langley Agreement, an agreement on trade and industry, was reach. Was Chancellor of the National Teachers college and founded the National Economic Development Authority.
Founded the Lyceum of thePhilippines in Intramuros and the Philippines Baking Corporation.
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