Jose P. Laurel: A “Hero” or a “Traitor”?

© 2014 by MyInfoBasket.com

Jose Paciano Laurel (1891—1959) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, and jurist, who served as the president of the Second Philippine Republic (1943–45), a Japanese puppet state during World War II.

Laurel was born and raised in a Tanuan, Batangas. In 1915, he obtained a law degree from the University of the Philippines and received a doctorate in civil law from Yale University in 1920. In 1925, Laurel was elected to the Philippine Senate and later appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1936.

When President Manuel Quezon had escaped following Japanese invasion of the Philippines (1941-1942), Laurel offered his services to the intruders. Because of his seeming loyalty to Japan and criticism of America, he was eventually chosen as president in 1943.

Considered as the third president of the Philippines, Laurel became one of the most controversial politicians during his time. He was labeled as a collaborator, some thought that he was a hero, and others considered him a traitor.

It was a difficult time for him. While our country was struggling for independence, he tried to channel a peace treaty between the Philippines and Japan. But when the Japanese surrendered, General Douglas McArthur ordered Laurel to be arrested for treason because of his collaboration with the Japanese.

Although charged with several counts of treason in July 1946, Laurel never stood trial for sharing in a general amnesty in April 1948 granted by then President Manuel Roxas.

But, is Jose P. Laurel a hero or a traitor?

Possible reasons for believing that Laurel is a hero:

1. Laurel did not, by his own free will, accept the occupation of the Japanese and its power; he made decisions that were for the greater good of the citizens. It was a mock collaboration, so to speak, to keep the Japanese from venting their anger to the innocent citizens.

2. The Executive Commission was ready to obey the orders of the Japanese Army for the “maintenance of peace and order and the promotion of the well-being of our people”. From this, it is inferable that the government was just trying to protect the people and not to sell them out to the invaders.

3. Laurel only wanted to lighten the blow that could wound all citizens and this made him a patriot for having the foresight to shield the people from danger, torture and even death.

4. The Quezon Administration gave an implied order to Laurel when he ordered him to do whatever it would take to protect the welfare of the Filipino people.

5. Laurel, when he became president of the Japanese funded government, decided to try and alter the constitution of the Philippines as well as the people of his country to Japanese standards.

Possible reasons for believing that he is a traitor:

1. Laurel did not make any retaliation against the Japanese Government when they occupied the Philippines. Laurel willingly collaborated with the Japanese to attain his main goal—to eventually become the president.

2. He did not refuse to declare a war against the United States as ordered by the Japanese Government.

3. The mere fact that the he could not offer his life to defend our country during the war disqualifies him to be considered as a hero. He instead chose to be controlled by the Japanese government in running our country during those times.

4. Laurel knew that he would be more powerful and influential by being on the side of the Japanese government. He knew that this is a way (if not the way) to attain his political dream, which is to be the leader of a new independent country, the Philippines.

5. He admired many things about Japanese society (like its domestic tranquility and its system of education which is focused on service to the state). He was pro-Japanese, not really pro-Filipino. (© 2014 by MyInfoBasket.com)

Check out: Jose Rizal’s Collaborations with Other Heroes by Jensen DG. Mañebog

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Is Jose P. Laurel a hero or a traitor?

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