Don Sergio Suico Osmeña's correspondence with General Douglas MacArhur

Don Sergio Suico Osmeña, the Grand Old Man of Cebu, had numerous exchanges of letters with General Douglas MacArthur even before the Second World War. It was General MacArthur, together with Don Sergio, who was sworn in as president on August 1, 1944 after the death of President Quezon, who came to liberate the Philippines from Japan. His famous arrival, now called the "Leyte Landing," happened on October 1944 in Palo, Leyte.

Among the many preserved official letters of Don Sergio to General MacArthur was one dated August 25, 1941, this is how the letter was composed: "Lt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur Commanding General

U.S. Army in the Far East

Manila

My Dear General MacAthur;

I want to reiterate to you how greatly I appreciate your generous note of congratulation on my renomination. No one can contemplate holding a position of responsibility in guarding the affairs of a nation without being oppressed by the thought of the tremendous burden that must be carried and of the far reaching consequences to the destiny of a people of the decisions that have to be made.

But, there are, also, compensating joys and among them is that of receiving encouragement and demonstrations of friendship such as those in contained in your letter, I know of no one from whom I would rather receive such congratulations.

With deep regard and affection, I am Faithfully yours,

S. Osmeña"

Don Sergio won as the vice president of Quezon on September 16, 1935, the country's first presidential election. Under the 1935 Constitution, the term of the president was six years in office without reelection. This was, however, amended to a four-year term with one reelection, thus Quezon and Osmeña were both qualified for reelection. The two ran for reelection on November 11, 1941. Weeks later, with the Pearl Harbor Bombing on December 8, 1941, the Philippines became part of the Allied Forces in what came to be called the Second World War.