Presidential campaign in September, 1935

THE first presidential campaign in 1935 was limited to less than two months: The Act calling for the presidential election was approved July 23 and the election was held on Sept. 17. The ruling party was a coalition of two parties headed by Quezon and Osmeña, two veteran politicians who were elected and reelected without serious opposition. But the campaign in July, August, and September – three stormy months – had all the hazards and danger that storms like “Lando” and “Yolanda” could provide.

Well-known candidates

Both Quezon and Osmeña had travelled to many parts of the country as Senate president and speaker. But their opponents, Gen. Aguinaldo and Bishop Aglipay, had limited exposure except in the few pages of our history books for their role in the Revolution against Spain and the US.

Votes reported to Roosevelt The votes as reported to President Franklin D. Roosevelt were like scores between basketball teams of unequal strength and talent. Here are the final scores for Quezon and his two opponents: Quezon, 694,104 votes; Aguinaldo, 179,390 votes and Aglipay, 147,951 votes.

In the case of Vice President Osmeña his two opponents were rarely seen or heard as national politicians. Osmeña’s advantage is recorded in the small votes for his two contenders: Osmeña, 817,446 votes; Melliza, 70,906 votes and Nabong, 51,573 votes.

Campaigning without planes There is no mention of how candidates for president and vice president conducted campaigns in big Visayan islands, like Negros and Panay. Candidates needed streamers big enough to face big waves. Campaigning in Luzon is a lot easier by truck or cars or by TRAIN.

One must consider that in 1935 there were few roads/highways of asphalt and concrete. In Luzon travel by train had its rewards – comfort and saving time. But in Mindanao, highways and concrete roads were rare.

Old vs young candidates

It’s different today as networks of good roads/highways enable candidates to campaign in comfort and kiss babies in their parents’ arms near the highways. A fast car or truck can make sorties to 10 barangays in one day.

The PU buses/jeeps for rent are available by the hour and by this method a national politician can visit 10 towns in one day.

Did Aguinaldo and Aglipay stay a day or two in Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao? In 1935, Quezon and Osmeña were both 57 years old (born in 1878) but Aguinaldo was 66 (born in 1869) and Aglipay was 75 (born in 1860). Quezon and Osmeña were lawyers and bar topnotchers in 1903. They also served their country continuously from 1903 to 1935. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com)