Philippine E-Journals

President Sergio Osmeña in Tacloban, Leyte, 1944–1945

Pablo U. Amascual Iii

Discipline: Governance, Philippine History

 

Abstract:

There is no street named after former President Sergio Osmena in Tacloban City. As President of the Philippines in 1944- 45, he came to Leyte with Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the Leyte Landings on 20 October 1944. A few days later, on 23 October, after the liberation of Tacloban, Osmena reestablished the Office of the President of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines at the Leyte Capitol Building. As such, Tacloban became the temporary capital of the country throughout the duration of his stay until February 1945. It is hard to believe that a significant part of the history of Tacloban City is not memorialized by even just the name of a road after a President who had momentarily wielded his powers here during a milestone period in our country’s history. This paper will look into the acts of President Osmena during his sojourn in Tacloban, as part of the effort to honor him, probably by naming a structure, place or street after him in this city.