Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):
September 28, 1910
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal (September 28, 1910 - April 21, 1997), born in Lubao, Pampanga, was the 9th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Macapagal graduated at the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas. He topped the 1936 Bar examinations with a score of 89.95 percent. He earned a Master of Laws degree in 1941, a Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1947, and a Ph.D. in Economics in 1957.
Known as the "Poor Boy from Lubao," he won in the 1949 elections for a seat in the House of Representatives representing the 1st district Pampanga. Macapagal was among the Ten Outstanding Congressmen during his term and was selected as “the Best Lawmaker” during his second term in Congress.
He was elected as vice president in 1957 and defeated President Carlos P. Garcia in the 1961 Presidential Election.
His achievements as president include the abolition of tenancy accompanying the land reform program in the Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963, changing the Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12, and placing the peso on the free currency exchange market, and liberalized foreign exchange and import controls.
He retired from politics after his defeat to President Ferdinand E. Marcos in the 1965 Presidential Election. He then spent his time reading and writing books.
On April 21, 1997, he died of heart failure, pneumonia and renal complications and was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
President Diosdado P. Macapagal was the father of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the 14th President of the Philippines.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Presidential Museum and Library
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