# Manuel L. Quezon

_President of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/manuel-l-quezon
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina  (19 August 1878 – 1 August 1944), also known by his initials MLQ, was a Filipino lawyer, statesman, soldier, and politician who served as the second president of the Philippines from 1935 until his death in 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the entire Philippines and is considered the second president of the Philippines after Emilio Aguinaldo (1899–1901), whom Quezon defeated in the 1935 presidential election. Quezon City, a city in Metro Manila and Quezon Province, are named after him.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 19 August 1878 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Baler ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P19))
- **Died:** 1 August 1944 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P570))
- **Place of death:** Saranac Lake ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Philippines ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; lawyer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P106))
- **Political party:** Nacionalista Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P102))
- **Education:** Colegio de San Juan de Letran; University of Santo Tomas; Cagayan National High School; University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P69))
- **Positions held:** Secretary of National Defense (16 July 1941 – 10 December 1941); President of the Philippines (15 November 1935 – 1 August 1944); Member of the Senate of the Philippines (16 October 1916 – 16 September 1935); President of the Senate of the Philippines (29 August 1916 – 15 November 1935); Resident Commissioner of the Philippines (23 November 1909 – 15 October 1916); member of the House of Representatives; president ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle; Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown; Officer of the Legion of Honour ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503#P166))

## About

During his presidency, Quezon tackled the problem of landless peasants. Other major decisions included the reorganization of the islands' military defense, approval of a recommendation for government reorganization, the promotion of settlement and development in Mindanao, dealing with the foreign stranglehold on Philippine trade and commerce, proposals for land reform, and opposing graft and corruption within the government. He established a government in exile in the United States with the outbreak of World War II and the threat of Japanese invasion. Scholars have described Quezon's leadership as a "de facto dictatorship" and described him as "the first Filipino politician to integrate all levels of politics into a synergy of power" after removing his term limits as president and turning the Senate into an extension of the executive through constitutional amendments.

## Questions

**When was Manuel L. Quezon born?**  
Manuel L. Quezon was born on 19 August 1878 in Baler.

**What positions has Manuel L. Quezon held?**  
Positions held by Manuel L. Quezon include: Secretary of National Defense (1941–1941); President of the Philippines (1935–1944); Member of the Senate of the Philippines (1916–1935); President of the Senate of the Philippines (1916–1935); Resident Commissioner of the Philippines (1909–1916).

**Where did Manuel L. Quezon study?**  
Manuel L. Quezon was educated at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas, Cagayan National High School, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law.

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- [Joseph Estrada](https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-estrada)
- [Manuel Roxas](https://diginpl.com/people/manuel-roxas)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Manuel L. Quezon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_L._Quezon) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q1503](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1503) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Manuel L. Quezon (November 1942).jpg by Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manuel_L._Quezon_(November_1942).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Manuel L. Quezon, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Manuel L. Quezon (November 1942).jpg — Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Manuel L. Quezon". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/manuel-l-quezon. Retrieved 5 November 2026.