ON MAY 28, 1946, Manuel Roxas was inducted into office as third (and last) President of the Commonwealth having been elected on April 23, 1946. Roxas took his oath of office in a temporary structure built near the ruins of the Legislative Building. Outgoing President Osmeña, following the American tradition, conducted him there but left before the ceremonies, retiring to his private residence.
Roxas was sworn in at 9:10, received a 19-gun salute, and delivered an address in which he contrasted the prosperity and happiness of the country before the war with the present tragic situation.
He declared that during the years of the Japanese occupation, Philippine hearts and convictions had never faltered, that the “Filipinos discharged their debt of allegiance to the United States with a payment of loyalty which was never surpassed”, and asked the people to have faith in the justice of America.
“I have faith in the wisdom of our people. I have trust in the goodness of God. Let us together maintain our faith in each other, in liberty and in the ways of democracy, and give strength to one another as we advance in our search for the ever-green pastures of peace and well-being for all. With the help of Almighty God, let us build in this our land a monument to freedom, liberty, and justice, a beacon to all mankind.”
Early in his speech he mentioned as sources of inspiration the late President Quezon, “that mighty champion of independence and great friend and benefactor of the masses” and the “spotless integrity and noble patriotism” of President Osmeña “who grasped the banner of leadership when the incomparable Quezon was taken from us”.
Elpidio Quirino who was inducted as Vice President on this same day, was appointed by the President as secretary of finance.
Roxas became the third and last President of the Commonwealth and first President of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Quirino the first Vice President of the new republic was also appointed secretary of foriegn affairs on July 6, 1946.
