LAUREL Film

After the war, the Americans targeted Laurel for his wartime presidency, arresting him and confining him in Sugamo. Laurel believed his detention would be temporary and that he would eventually face charges in the Philippines, but he remained imprisoned even after the war concluded.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 (December 8 in the Philippines) shocked the nation. While many anticipated war, its swift arrival caused confusion and pessimism. Despite being a Commonwealth on its path to independence, the Philippines initially relied on American protection. However, the Japanese occupation soon began, leading President Quezon to form a war cabinet, including Laurel, to protect the Filipino people.

Paciencia Laurel, Jose P. Laurel's wife, is highlighted as an extraordinary woman who single-handedly maintained the family and provided their material needs, allowing Jose P. Laurel to dedicate himself to public service. Her unwavering support is seen as crucial to his ability to serve the country.

President Quezon instructed Laurel to remain in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation, trusting that Laurel would uphold his principles and protect the Filipino people. Quezon believed Laurel would not succumb to pressure from the Japanese and would maintain Philippine dignity.

Laurel grew up an orphan on his father's side, raised by his mother, Jacoba Garcia Laurel. His father, Sotero Laurel, died in an American prison for refusing to swear allegiance to the US. This instilled in Jose P. Laurel a deep love for his country. A youthful altercation leading to a murder conviction, later overturned, profoundly impacted him. He promised to reform, excelling in his studies, topping the bar, and earning a doctorate in civil law from Yale. His academic excellence and dedication to principles were evident throughout his career.

Laurel served in the cabinet of Governor-General Leonard Wood, despite Wood's opposition to Philippine independence. Laurel resigned from his position as Secretary of Interior when Wood overruled his decision to suspend and investigate a corrupt American policeman. This demonstrated Laurel's unyielding principles and his refusal to compromise his integrity.

The Japanese occupation brought immense suffering, both physical and spiritual. Filipinos lost their freedoms, enduring cruelty and torture, particularly at Fort Santiago. In December 1942, the Japanese established the Kalibapi, a super political party, with Benigno Aquino Sr. as its head, leading to Laurel's appointment as Commissioner of the Interior, a position that placed him in a sensitive role handling peace and order.

A guerrilla organization attempted to assassinate Laurel. Despite suffering severe wounds, he famously refused to identify an alleged assailant, stating that anyone would admit to anything under torture. The Japanese recognized Laurel's strength and principles, leading them to appoint him head of the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence. From his hospital bed, he began shaping a genuinely Filipino constitution, eventually being elected president by the National Assembly in September 1943.

Laurel's presidency was marked by difficult decisions under Japanese pressure. On October 14, 1943, he declared the existence of a state of war with the United States and Great Britain. This declaration, strategically worded with the help of his advisor Claro M. Recto, emphasized the 'existence of a state of war' rather than an outright declaration, a nuance missed by Washington. Laurel took personal responsibility for this act, shielding his colleagues. His 'collaboration' was a strategic move to benefit the Philippines, seizing opportunities for national hero recognition and a more independent vision for the country that wasn't beholden to any single imperial power.

Laurel firmly resisted Japanese demands to recruit Filipinos to fight, citing the heavy casualties from previous conflicts. As president, he was deeply committed to the well-being of his people, even living as simply as them, eating humble meals like camote. He also ensured that the Malacañang Palace became a no-Japanese zone, creating presidential guards to protect its sovereignty and prevent further looting.

Laurel bravely confronted the Japanese military when they attempted to arrest Rojas, declaring that they would have to kill him first. He consistently defended his colleagues and others, including General Capinpin and Perez Rubio, from Japanese persecution. The national survival policy adopted by Laurel and other leaders was a difficult tightrope walk between Japanese demands and the needs of the Filipino people, aiming to minimize bloodshed and suffering amidst the occupation.

As American forces advanced, Laurel and his government moved to Baguio, hoping to spare Manila from further destruction. Eventually, the Japanese evacuated him, his family, and his war cabinet to Taiwan and then to Japan in March 1945. After the war, he faced charges but was later vindicated, receiving the highest number of votes when he ran for the Senate. His legislative legacy includes the creation of the SSS, Medicare (now PhilHealth), and the Rizal Law, which fostered nationalistic aspirations.

Laurel played a crucial role in negotiating the Laurel-Langley Agreement, which set a timeline for American parity rights in the Philippines, addressing concerns about foreign exploitation of national resources. In 1953, he declined the Nationalist Party's nomination for president, instead endorsing Ramon Magsaysay, a member of the Liberal Party, showcasing his commitment to strong leadership regardless of party affiliation, recognizing Magsaysay as the best man for the position.

After 1949, Laurel retired from traditional politics and established the Lyceum of the Philippines University in 1951. He envisioned it as a 'university of the masses,' an academic hub fostering 'Filipinism' – a deep understanding and love for Philippine history, culture, and identity. This institution, supported by various political figures, became a testament to his belief in the importance of nationalistic education. Laurel's unwavering integrity and commitment to the Philippines First policy continue to inspire, making him a timeless figure in Philippine history.