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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-26/manuel-roxas.webp" alt="Manuel Roxas" loading="lazy"/>
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(President Manuel Acuña Roxas)
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<h2>
From Humble Beginnings to Legal Excellence
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Roxas entered the world as a posthumous child, his father having been mortally wounded by Spanish Guardia Civil the year before his birth. Raised by his mother <b class=lt-bold">Rosario Acuña</b> and his grandfather <b class=lt-bold">Don Eleuterio Acuña</b> in Capiz, young Manuel demonstrated exceptional intellectual promise from an early age. After completing his early education in Capiz's public schools, he ventured to Hong Kong to study at St. Joseph's College at age twelve, though homesickness prompted his return.
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He subsequently attended Manila High School, where he graduated with honors in 1909, setting the stage for his remarkable legal career. Roxas pursued law at a private institution established by <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/729/today-in-history-november-5-1881-george-malcolm-who-founded-the-up-college-of-law-in-1911-was-born-in-michigan-usa" class="news_link">George A. Malcolm</a>, the first dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, eventually transferring to UP where he excelled academically. He was elected president of both his class and the student council, demonstrating leadership qualities that would define his political career. In 1913, Roxas achieved a remarkable distinction - he obtained his law degree as class valedictorian and topped the bar examinations with an impressive score of 92 percent. This academic achievement marked the beginning of his ascent in Philippine society.
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<h2>
Family Life and Marriage
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On <time datetime="1921-04-14">April 14, 1921</time>, Manuel Roxas married <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2895/trinidad-de-leon-roxas-fifth-first-lady-of-the-philippines-was-born-october-4-1900-in-san-miguel-bulacan" class="news_link">Trinidad de Leon y Roura</a>, beginning what would be a fifty-four-year partnership. Trinidad, born on <time datetime="1900-10-04">October 4, 1900</time>, in San Miguel, Bulacan, was the daughter of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceferino_de_Leon" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Ceferino de Leon</a>, a member of the historic <b class="lt-bold">Malolos Congress</b> and Philippine senator. Their marriage was the product of a whirlwind romance; the young governor was immediately attracted to Trinidad from their first meeting, and they were married within weeks at Sibul Springs in Bulacan, despite initial disapproval from both families.​
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<p>
Before her marriage to the future president, Trinidad had already achieved prominence in her own right. She was crowned Carnival Queen (Queen of the Orient) at the Manila Carnival in 1920, demonstrating her beauty and social standing in Philippine high society.​
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<p>
The couple had two children together: <b class="lt-bold">Gerardo Manuel Roxas</b> (commonly known as Gerry) and Ruby Roxas. These children would carry forward the Roxas family legacy into subsequent generations. Their son Gerardo became a prominent figure in his own right, and their grandchildren, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Roxas" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Mar Roxas II</a>, would later achieve prominence in Philippine politics and public service.​
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<h2>
A Rising Political Career
</h2>
<p>
Roxas's public service began modestly but progressed rapidly. In 1917, he served as a member of the Capiz Municipal Council, followed by his appointment as Governor of Capiz from 1919 to 1922. His visibility in provincial administration led to his election into the Philippine House of Representatives in 1922, representing Capiz's first district. More significantly, he became the Speaker of the House in October 1922 and held this prominent position for twelve years until 1934, establishing himself as a key figure in Philippine governance during the Commonwealth period.
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<p>
When the cabinet of President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1265/today-in-philippine-history-august-19-1878-manuel-quezon-was-born-in-baler-aurora" class="news_link">Manuel L. Quezon</a> was formed, Roxas was appointed Secretary of Finance in August 1941, though his tenure lasted only a few months before the Japanese occupation disrupted the nation's political structure. Despite the chaos of wartime, his expertise and loyalty were recognized, and in 1945, the Philippine Congress elected him as President of the Senate.
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<h2>
World War II and the Shadow of Collaboration
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<p>
Roxas's wartime record remains one of the most contentious aspects of his legacy. When Japan attacked the Philippines in 1941, Roxas abandoned his political suit and served as a reserves officer and liaison officer between Philippine armed forces and American General <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3006/general-douglas-macarthur-a-legacy-of-leadership-and-controversy" class="news_link">Douglas MacArthur</a>. As a confidant of President Quezon, Roxas was designated as a potential successor to the presidency should both Quezon and Vice President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1273/today-in-philippine-history-september-9-1878-sergio-osme-a-sr-was-born-in-cebu-city" class="news_link">Sergio Osmena</a> perish during their escape to the United States.
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<p>
Following Quezon's departure, Roxas relocated to Mindanao to direct local resistance efforts. However, in 1942, Japanese forces captured him and imprisoned him as a prisoner of war in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukidnon" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Bukidnon</a> in Mindanao, where he endured fifteen weeks of interrogation and threats of execution. His rescue came through an unusual arrangement - members of the Japanese puppet government under José Laurel's sponsorship secured his release.
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<p>
Upon his release, Roxas joined Laurel's government, which created lasting controversy. In 1943, he assisted in drafting the constitution of Laurel's regime and later headed the Economic Planning Board and the Biba, a powerful branch controlling rice distribution. While some questioned his loyalties, others argued he served as a valuable inside agent for resistance fighters and guerrilla groups, though historical records remain unclear on this matter. When General MacArthur liberated the Philippines, Roxas was initially arrested on collaboration charges but was subsequently cleared by MacArthur himself, and his U.S. Army rank was reinstated. Many Filipinos forgave his apparent wartime collaboration, recognizing the ambiguity of his position under enemy occupation.
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<h2>
Leading an Independent Nation
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<p>
Following his electoral victory on <time datetime="1946-04-23">April 23, 1946</time>, with 54 percent of the vote against incumbent Sergio Osmeña, Roxas became the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from May 28 to July 4, 1946. His presidency of the Commonwealth was brief but symbolically significant, as he helped prepare the groundwork for independence. He was inaugurated at the ruins of the Legislative Building in Manila, damaged during World War II, with Chief Justice Manuel Moran administering the oath of office.
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<p>
When Philippine independence was formally declared on <time datetime="1946-07-04">July 4, 1946</time>, an occasion attended by approximately 300,000 people marked by the simultaneous lowering of the American flag and raising of the Philippine national flag, Roxas took the oath as the First president of the new Third Republic. He would serve in this capacity until his <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1431/today-in-philippine-history-april-15-1948-president-roxas-died-of-heart-attack-in-clark-air-force-base" class="news_link">untimely death in 1948</a>.
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Manuel Roxas Biography - Born January 1, 1892

Manuel Roxas, born January 1, 1892, became the first president of independent Philippines. Explore his legal career, WWII service, and transformative presidency.

Manuel Acuña Roxas: The First President of the Independent Philippine Republic