Juan Sumulong: The statesman who wears many hats
By: Lino C. Soriano (with inputs from JSHS Team 2014)
JUAN SUMULONG was an educator, a journalist, lawyer, judge, an eloquent speaker, and a respected politician whose integrity and love of the Motherland is immeasurable.
Early Life and Education
He was born in Antipolo, Rizal on December 27, 1875 to Policarpio Sumulong, a tenant farmer and Arcadia Marquez.
At a time when most farmers’ children could hardly finish basic education, Juan’s thirst for knowledge inspired him to exhaust all means to finish secondary education; he worked his way to college. He recalled that while many of his schoolmates rode a caritela to and from the college campus, Juan untiringly walked from Tondo to Intramuros and back every class day. During rainy days, he wore wooden clogs and changed it to his only leather shoes upon reaching the school. To augment his meager allowance, he assisted his landlady in preparing breakfast and peddled homemade cigars. After completing Bachelor of Arts at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, he pursued and finished a law degree at the University of Sto. Tomas.
The Revolutionary
His intense love of the Motherland was tested for the first time when Juan joined the revolution against Spain in the 1900s, their headquarters was set up in a secluded place in Morong Province.
Peace was restored following the end of the Filipino-American War (1899-1902, America’s first war outside the American Continent). In 1898 the Treaty of Paris transferred Philippine Sovereignty from Spain to the United States. Although the war officially ended in 1902, sporadic fighting continued for several years thereafter. When the civil government was established in the islands, the young Sumulong then served as private secretary to the Filipino civil governor of Morong Province (now Rizal Province) with headquarters in Antipolo.
On June 5, 1901 Sumulong worked hard to support the merger of Morong Province with Manila, which the former, was subsequently called Rizal Province.
Sumulong Family
Juan was married to a distant cousin - Maria Salome Sumulong. They had 11 children, four of whom died at an early age. The seven surviving children are Lumen, Demetria, Lorenzo, Paz, Juan Jr., Belen and Francisco.
Four Hats in One Head
Journalist - because of his background in law and remarkable writing skills, Juan was hired as reporter of the La Patria; soon after, he was promoted as city editor. Later, as its long-time editor, he painstakingly analyzed volatile political situations in the country for La Democracia, the official publication of the Federal Party.
Lawyer and Educator - following his passing of the Bar Examinations in 1901, he practiced law and taught Constitutional Law at the Escuela de Derecho.
When the newspaper El Renacimiento was dragged into controversy following the filing of libel suit against its staff by some American Constabulary officials, Sumulong and Rafael Palma successfully defended the paper in court. The case arose from the paper’s expose’ of the abuses committed by American military officials against the Cavitenos, at a concentration camp in Bacoor. This was the very first time that the American government lost a court case in the Philippines.
In June 1902, Isabelo de los Reyes was granted pardon by Governor William Howard Taft for a case of conspiracy in organizing a labor union that staged the very first organized mass action or strike in the country. Sumulong and Palma were De los Reyes’ counselors at law.
Judge - Sumulong was sworn-in as Judge of the Court of First Instance in 1906, and at the Court of Land Registration in 1908.
From 1909 to 1913, Sumulong was a member of the Philippine Commission. Had he accepted the offer made by Taft (who was U.S. President from 1909-1913), he could have been appointed Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court. Incidentally, Taft was the only U.S. President appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921). He was the first civil governor of the Philippines. In 1901. he was named by President William McKinley (1897-1901) who headed the commission charged with terminating U.S. military rule in the Philippines.
The Public Servant
His passion for public service was finally realized when Sumulong was elected to a six-year-term as Senator for the Fourth District, composed of Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Bataan. As senator, he had his famous debate with Senate President Manuel Luis Molina Quezon on the proposed amendments to the Corporation Law. Sumulong’s statesmanly conduct and eloquence had earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues in the Senate and also of his countrymen.
As a crusading lawmaker, Sumulong also actively and consistently opposed the enactment of the Belo Act, that will give the Governor General annual appropriations to pay the military and technical advisers known as the “Belo Boys.” Subsequently, he penned laws that created the gasoline tax and the mandatory requirement of maintaining books of accounts for merchants, particularly Chinese.
As member of the Philippine Independent Mission, Sumulong was in the United States from 1930-31, when the first Philippine Independence Act (Hare-Hawes Cutting Act) was enacted by the U.S. Congress. He strongly opposed its acceptance by the Filipino people, mainly because the law provides that the U.S. will continue to exercise sovereignty over U.S. military reservations in the Philippines, even after Philippine independence shall have been formally granted. Sumulong, Quezon, Aguinaldo, Recto and a number of Filipino leaders opposed the HHC Act and they became known as the “Antis,” while Osmena, Roxas, and others who favored it as the “Pros.”
Sumulong believed that the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases on Philippine soil will prove disastrous to an independent Philippines. Moreover, he was certain that the longer free trade is permitted, the more formidable it will be for the country to get rid of economic bondage from colonial powers.
Long before Quezon coined the phrase “social justice,” Sumulong came to realize that he had no other alternative except to break up his political ties with him because of irreconcilable differences on various issues and policies, thus Sumulong continued to keeping alive a fiery opposition meant to unconditionally exercise check and balance in the government.
In 1941, in spite of deteriorating health, Sumulong ran for Presidency against Quezon. Two weeks before the elections, Juan’s illness worsened that made him stay on bed until his death on January 9, 1942. At his deathbed, Juan divulged to Jorge Bocobo and Jose Fabella that his party will never join the formation of a Japanese-sponsored Philippine government because he never wanted to become part of a puppet government that will serve as an instrument of oppression. Also, he never wanted that his hands will be stained with blood of Filipino martyrs who will persistently oppose its tyrannical governance.
In February 1942, from Australia, Quezon and Osmeña left for the United States aboard the American liner S.S. Coolidge, which was bound for San Francisco, California. Later, Quezon established a Philippine government-in-exile based in Washington D.C. However, Jose P. Laurel was seated President. Many Filipinos who did not want to collaborate with the Japanese were tortured, incarcerated, or executed.
Legacy
Two schools were named after this great statesman: Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City and Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City. The stretch of highway from Marikina City to Antipolo City was also named after him.
It will take more than a lifetime before another “Juan Sumulong” is born. His unparalleled virtues and deep love of the Motherland will serve as a moving force to inspire every Filipino to persevere and develop their potentials to be able to escape from the clutches of poverty and in their own humble way, serve the Filipino people.
Updated: 04 February 2015
JUAN SUMULONG was an educator, a journalist, lawyer, judge, an eloquent speaker, and a respected politician whose integrity and love of the Motherland is immeasurable.
Early Life and Education
He was born in Antipolo, Rizal on December 27, 1875 to Policarpio Sumulong, a tenant farmer and Arcadia Marquez.
At a time when most farmers’ children could hardly finish basic education, Juan’s thirst for knowledge inspired him to exhaust all means to finish secondary education; he worked his way to college. He recalled that while many of his schoolmates rode a caritela to and from the college campus, Juan untiringly walked from Tondo to Intramuros and back every class day. During rainy days, he wore wooden clogs and changed it to his only leather shoes upon reaching the school. To augment his meager allowance, he assisted his landlady in preparing breakfast and peddled homemade cigars. After completing Bachelor of Arts at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, he pursued and finished a law degree at the University of Sto. Tomas.
The Revolutionary
His intense love of the Motherland was tested for the first time when Juan joined the revolution against Spain in the 1900s, their headquarters was set up in a secluded place in Morong Province.
Peace was restored following the end of the Filipino-American War (1899-1902, America’s first war outside the American Continent). In 1898 the Treaty of Paris transferred Philippine Sovereignty from Spain to the United States. Although the war officially ended in 1902, sporadic fighting continued for several years thereafter. When the civil government was established in the islands, the young Sumulong then served as private secretary to the Filipino civil governor of Morong Province (now Rizal Province) with headquarters in Antipolo.
On June 5, 1901 Sumulong worked hard to support the merger of Morong Province with Manila, which the former, was subsequently called Rizal Province.
Sumulong Family
Juan was married to a distant cousin - Maria Salome Sumulong. They had 11 children, four of whom died at an early age. The seven surviving children are Lumen, Demetria, Lorenzo, Paz, Juan Jr., Belen and Francisco.
Four Hats in One Head
Journalist - because of his background in law and remarkable writing skills, Juan was hired as reporter of the La Patria; soon after, he was promoted as city editor. Later, as its long-time editor, he painstakingly analyzed volatile political situations in the country for La Democracia, the official publication of the Federal Party.
Lawyer and Educator - following his passing of the Bar Examinations in 1901, he practiced law and taught Constitutional Law at the Escuela de Derecho.
When the newspaper El Renacimiento was dragged into controversy following the filing of libel suit against its staff by some American Constabulary officials, Sumulong and Rafael Palma successfully defended the paper in court. The case arose from the paper’s expose’ of the abuses committed by American military officials against the Cavitenos, at a concentration camp in Bacoor. This was the very first time that the American government lost a court case in the Philippines.
In June 1902, Isabelo de los Reyes was granted pardon by Governor William Howard Taft for a case of conspiracy in organizing a labor union that staged the very first organized mass action or strike in the country. Sumulong and Palma were De los Reyes’ counselors at law.
Judge - Sumulong was sworn-in as Judge of the Court of First Instance in 1906, and at the Court of Land Registration in 1908.
From 1909 to 1913, Sumulong was a member of the Philippine Commission. Had he accepted the offer made by Taft (who was U.S. President from 1909-1913), he could have been appointed Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court. Incidentally, Taft was the only U.S. President appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921). He was the first civil governor of the Philippines. In 1901. he was named by President William McKinley (1897-1901) who headed the commission charged with terminating U.S. military rule in the Philippines.
The Public Servant
His passion for public service was finally realized when Sumulong was elected to a six-year-term as Senator for the Fourth District, composed of Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Bataan. As senator, he had his famous debate with Senate President Manuel Luis Molina Quezon on the proposed amendments to the Corporation Law. Sumulong’s statesmanly conduct and eloquence had earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues in the Senate and also of his countrymen.
As a crusading lawmaker, Sumulong also actively and consistently opposed the enactment of the Belo Act, that will give the Governor General annual appropriations to pay the military and technical advisers known as the “Belo Boys.” Subsequently, he penned laws that created the gasoline tax and the mandatory requirement of maintaining books of accounts for merchants, particularly Chinese.
As member of the Philippine Independent Mission, Sumulong was in the United States from 1930-31, when the first Philippine Independence Act (Hare-Hawes Cutting Act) was enacted by the U.S. Congress. He strongly opposed its acceptance by the Filipino people, mainly because the law provides that the U.S. will continue to exercise sovereignty over U.S. military reservations in the Philippines, even after Philippine independence shall have been formally granted. Sumulong, Quezon, Aguinaldo, Recto and a number of Filipino leaders opposed the HHC Act and they became known as the “Antis,” while Osmena, Roxas, and others who favored it as the “Pros.”
Sumulong believed that the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases on Philippine soil will prove disastrous to an independent Philippines. Moreover, he was certain that the longer free trade is permitted, the more formidable it will be for the country to get rid of economic bondage from colonial powers.
Long before Quezon coined the phrase “social justice,” Sumulong came to realize that he had no other alternative except to break up his political ties with him because of irreconcilable differences on various issues and policies, thus Sumulong continued to keeping alive a fiery opposition meant to unconditionally exercise check and balance in the government.
In 1941, in spite of deteriorating health, Sumulong ran for Presidency against Quezon. Two weeks before the elections, Juan’s illness worsened that made him stay on bed until his death on January 9, 1942. At his deathbed, Juan divulged to Jorge Bocobo and Jose Fabella that his party will never join the formation of a Japanese-sponsored Philippine government because he never wanted to become part of a puppet government that will serve as an instrument of oppression. Also, he never wanted that his hands will be stained with blood of Filipino martyrs who will persistently oppose its tyrannical governance.
In February 1942, from Australia, Quezon and Osmeña left for the United States aboard the American liner S.S. Coolidge, which was bound for San Francisco, California. Later, Quezon established a Philippine government-in-exile based in Washington D.C. However, Jose P. Laurel was seated President. Many Filipinos who did not want to collaborate with the Japanese were tortured, incarcerated, or executed.
Legacy
Two schools were named after this great statesman: Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City and Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City. The stretch of highway from Marikina City to Antipolo City was also named after him.
It will take more than a lifetime before another “Juan Sumulong” is born. His unparalleled virtues and deep love of the Motherland will serve as a moving force to inspire every Filipino to persevere and develop their potentials to be able to escape from the clutches of poverty and in their own humble way, serve the Filipino people.
Updated: 04 February 2015