President Osmeña’s speech inducting the members of his Cabinet

(Part IV)

This is the fourth part of the speech of President Osmeña on the induction of his Cabinet which became the backbone for the reestablishment of the republic during the last few months of WWII in the Philippines:

“On December 28, 1941, President Roosevelt promised that our independence would be established and protected. This was the first time that a high American official came out with the promise of protection after independence. This promise which gave great encouragement to our soldiers in Bataan, then fighting side by side with the Americans, was an important factor in our decision to transfer the seat of government to the United States to continue there the campaign for independence which seemed to be on the verge of defeat in the Philippines despite the loyalty and heroism of our people.

“With our reverses on the battlefield, the next phase would have to be fought in the field of diplomacy. If the leaders of the Commonwealth Government had committed the grave error of placing themselves within the power of the enemy, not only would every semblance of constitutional government have disappeared, but such a step would have given rise in the United States to the belief that our people had renounced their long-desired independence, the real independence pledged by America, and had resigned themselves to the status of a mere vassal of the Japanese Empire.

“I take great satisfaction in informing our people that the promise of independence with American protection made by President Roosevelt on December 28, 1941, which was reiterated by him on August 13, 1943, was given legislative sanction when Congress approved S.J. Res. No. 93 and which became law on June 29, 1944. This Joint Resolution as introduced in the Congress of the United States at our request. We gave it our firm support while it was under consideration by both Houses of Congress and it was finally approved without any party division. In fact, the vote in both chambers was unanimous.

“Thus, the protracted negotiations for our independence which were initiated by the first parliamentary mission to the United States in 1922 under the chairmanship of Manuel L. Quezon, at that time President of the Senate were happily concluded under the authority of the Government of the Commonwealth which functioned in Washington D.C. from May 13, 1942, to October 3, 1944. The independence of which Rizal and all the martyrs in our history dreamed, and for the realization of which the heroes of our revolutions gave their lives, will not only be a reality but there is now positive assurance that the blessings of liberty which that independence will bring shall be permanent and enduring.

“Foreseeing the serious problems brought about the ravages of war and the imperative need for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country, your Commonwealth Governments urged the passage of the necessary legislation by the Congress of the United States. Such legislation was approved on June 29, 1944, and under its provisions a Filipino Rehabilitation Commission has been created, composed of nine Americans and nine Filipinos. It is now sitting in Washington and is investigating all the war damages and other rehabilitation needs for proper action, and is formulating plans for our future economic relations with the United States. (to be continued)