Carlos P. Garcia

president of Philippines
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Carlos Polestico Garcia
Quick Facts
In full:
Carlos Polestico Garcia
Born:
November 4, 1896, Talibon, Philippines
Died:
June 14, 1971, Quezon City (aged 74)
Also Known As:
Carlos Polestico Garcia
Political Affiliation:
Nationalist Party

Carlos P. Garcia (born November 4, 1896, Talibon, Philippines—died June 14, 1971, Quezon City) was the fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines. After graduating from law school in 1923, he became, successively, a schoolteacher, representative in the Philippine Congress, governor of his province (Bohol), and then (1941–53) senator. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Garcia was active in the resistance movement. He was elected vice president on the ticket of the Nacionalista Party in 1953 and was also minister of foreign affairs (1953–57). He became president of the Philippines in March 1957, upon the death of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, and was elected to a full four-year term the same year. He maintained the strong traditional ties with the United States and sought closer relations with noncommunist Asian countries. In the election of November 1961 he was defeated by Vice Pres. Diosdado Macapagal.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.