Carlos_P._Garcia

Carlos P. Garcia Carlos Polistico Garcia was born on November 4, 1896.He was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, and guerrilla leader. He became the 8th President of the Philippines and was known for his "Filipino First" policy, which made the interests of the Filipino people more important then the foreigners and the ruling party. He started his political career in 1925 when he got a victory running for congressman representing the third district of Bohol. He was elected for another term but only served until 1931 when he ran for governor of Bohol and won. He served as 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 elected as vice-president in 1953 and was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs under President Magsaysay. He assumed the presidency on March 23, 1957 the day after Ramon Magsaysay's death. From 1957- 1961 he was the 8th president. During his administration he made 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 made changes in retail trade. He made the Filipino First Policy, which he was known for. This policy favored Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. This meant foreigners could invest capital up to 40% in a business or industry while the remaining 60% would be owned by Filipino citizens. Garcia's policies aimed at boosting the economy and obtaining greater economic independence. On June 1, 1971, Garcia was elected delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention because he lost his re-election for presidency against Vice-President Diosdado Macapagal. The convention delegates elected him as the President of the Convention. Just days after his election on June 14, 1971, Garcia suffered a fatal heart attack and died on June 14, 1971.