Jose Laurel

About

After serving in the Senate of the Philippines and holding office as both Commissioner of Justice and Commissioner of the Interior, this Filipino politician served a two-year term as President of the Philippines during the World War II era of Japanese rule.

Before Fame

He studied law at the University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas, and Yale University.

Trivia

In the years before becoming President of the Philippines, he was a member of the Nacionalista Party. During his country's period of Japanese control, he temporarily shifted his allegiance to the Japanese-supported KALIBAPI Party.

Family Life

His marriage to Paciencia Hidalgo resulted in nine children. Four of his sons -- Jose Laurel Jr., Jose Laurel III, Sotero Laurel II, and Salvador Laurel -- also had political careers.

Associated With

He and Manuel Roxas both held office as President of the Philippines in the mid-Twentieth Century.