Restoration of the Commonwealth Government

Three days after A-Day on October 23, 1944, while the roar of guns were still echoing on the background, the commonwealth government was restored on Philippine soil. In a simple but impressive ceremony held on the steps of Leyte Provincial Capitol Building, General MacArthur broadcast an address announcing the establishment of the Philippine Government with President Osmeña as the head. Led by Lt. John Gregory and thirty enlisted men of the 5th calvary, they composed a guard of honor of “dirty and tired but efficient looking soldiers”. Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland then read the official proclamation. “To the Color” was sounded on the bugle, and the national flags of the United States and the Philippines were simultaneously hoisted on the sides of the building. Colonel Kangleon  was then decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross.

One of the first official acts of President Osmeña was the appointment of Colonel Ruperto Kangleon as acting Provincial Governor of Leyte. Dr. Arturo B. Rotor, secretary of the President, was instructed to investigate the opening of hospital, free dispensaries and child centers. Brigadier General Carlos P. Romulo, as Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the United States, was given additional duties of Secretary of Public Instructions, with orders to open immediately the public schools in the liberated areas. In less than 3 weeks, Leyte High School was opened.

This first school to be reopened held classes for a week at the Holy Infant Academy Building and then transferred to the Casalla Building.

President Sergio Osmeña and his cabinet at Tacloban. Left to right: Colonel Mariano Eraña, judge advocate; Ismael Mathay, budget and finance commissioner; Major General Basilio J. Valdez, chief of staff. Philippine Army; President Osmeña; Brigadier General Carlos P. Romulo, resident commissioner and secretary of public instruction: Dr. Arturo B. Rotor, presidential secretary and Colonel Alejandro Melchor, adviser on military affairs.

                                                                      Source: Leyte – The Historic Islands
By: Fransisco S. Tantuicio, Jr.