From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the municipality named after the president, see Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol.

His Excellency  Carlos P. Garcia
8th President of the Philippines 4th President of the 3rd Republic
In office March 23, 1957 (elected December 30, 1957) – December 30, 1961
President	Ramon Magsaysay
Vice President(s)	Diosdado Macapagal
Preceded by	Ramon Magsaysay
Succeeded by	Diosdado Macapagal
5th Vice President of the Philippines 3rd Vice President of the 3rd Republic
In office December 30, 1953 – March 18, 1957
Preceded by	Fernando Lopez
Succeeded by	None[1]
Born	November 4, 1896(1896-11-04) Talibon, Bohol
Died	June 14, 1971 (aged 74) Bohol, Philippines
Political party	Nacionalista Party
Spouse	Leonila Dimataga
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature

Carlos Polistico Garcia (November 4, 1896 – June 14, 1971) was the 8th president of the Philippines (1957-1961). His administration was known for its "Filipino First" policy, which put the interests of the Filipino people above those of foreigners and of the ruling party.

Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Presidency 3 Post-presidency 4 Notes 5 External links 6 References

Garcia was born in Talibon, Bohol to Policronio Garcia and Ambrosia Polistico (who were both natives of Bangued, Abra). He grew up with politics, with his father serving as a municipal mayor for four terms.

Garcia acquired his primary education in his native Talibon, then took his secondary education in Cebu Provincial High School. He briefly took law courses at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. He then studied in Philippine Law School and earned his degree in 1923. He was among the top ten in the bar examination.

Rather than practice law right away, he worked as a teacher for two years at Bohol Provincial High School. He became famous for his poetry in Bohol, where he earned the nickname "Prince of Visayan Poets" and the "Bard from Bohol".

He started his political career in 1925, scoring an impressive victory running for congressman representing the third district of Bohol. He was elected for another term, but served only until 1931 when he successfully ran for governor of Bohol. He served as provincial governor for two terms. He became a member of the congress in 1946, and was elected three times to the senate for three consecutive terms from 1941 to 1953.

Garcia was the running mate of Ramon Magsaysay in the presidential election of 1953. He was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs by President Ramon Magsaysay, for four years concurrently serving as vice-president.

He assumed the presidency after Ramón Magsaysay died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957, and was elected later the same year, in the Election 1957, to a full term.

During his administration, he acted on the Bohlen–Serrano Agreement which shortened the lease of the US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it renewable after every five years. He also exercised the Filipino First Policy, for which he was known. This policy heavily favored Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. He was also responsible for changes in retail trade which greatly affected the Chinese businessmen in the country.

At the end of his second term, he ran for re–election in the Election 1961 in November 1961, but was defeated by Diosdado Macapagal, who served as Vice-President under him, but belonged to the opposing Liberal Party - in the Philippines the President and the Vice-President are elected separately.

After his failed re–election bid, Garcia then retired to private life, living as a private citizen in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. On June 1, 1971, Garcia was elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and chosen as its president. However, he died of a heart attack on June 14, 1971 at the age of seventy-four.

He is featured as the lone star in the Bohol provincial flag as the only Philippine President produced by the province. Another star shall be added for every Boholano who shall also become president of the Philippines.^[2]

• The Philippine Presidency Project
• Philippines-Archipelago (Carlos P. Garcia)

• Zaide, Gregorio F. (1984). Philippine History and Government. National Bookstore Printing Press. 
• Batan-ong Pilipino (Filipino) Poem by Carlos P. Garcia

Preceded by Teodoro Abueva	Representative, 3rd Congressional District of Bohol 1925 - 1931	Succeeded by Filomeno Caseñas Orbeta
Preceded by ?	Governor of Bohol 1933–1941	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by restored	Senator 1941–1953	Succeeded by '
Preceded by restored	Minority Leader of the Philippine Senate 1946–1953	Succeeded by Ambrosio Padilla
Preceded by Fernando Lopez	Vice President of the Philippines 1953–1957	Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal
Preceded by Joaquin Elizalde	Secretary of Foreign Affairs 1954–1957	Succeeded by Raul Manglapus
Preceded by Ramon Magsaysay	President of the Philippines 1957–1961	Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal
Preceded by Newly established Preceded by the Philippine Commission for Preparatory Independence with its President Jose P. Laurel	President of the 1971 Constitutional Convention 1971	Succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal

v • d • e Minority Leaders of the Senate of the Philippines
Recto • Garcia • Padilla • Fernandez • Padilla • Roxas • Enrile • Tañada • Angara • Gonzales • Maceda • Guingona • Pimentel • Sotto • Pimentel

v • d • e Presidents of the Philippines
Aguinaldo • Quezon (de jure) • Osmeña (de jure)• Laurel (de facto)• Roxas • Quirino • Magsaysay • Garcia • Macapagal • Marcos • Aquino • Ramos • Estrada • Arroyo

v • d • e Vice Presidents of the Philippines
Trías • Osmeña • Quirino • Lopez • Garcia • Macapagal • Pelaez • Lopez • Tolentino • Laurel • Estrada • Arroyo • Guingona, Jr. • De Castro, Jr.

v • d • e Lists of Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Philippines
Presidential lists of order	Order of service • Birth • Longevity • Post-presidency length • Term length
Presidential personal life lists	Nicknames • College education • Province • Religious affiliation
Presidential professional life lists	Inaugurations • Currency appearances
Vice President lists of order	Order of service • Birth • Death • Term length
Succession	Line of succession
Elections	Election results
Candidates	Tickets • Former presidents who ran again
Spouses	First Ladies and Gentlemen