Manuel Manahan

Manuel Perez Manahan (January 1, 1916 – May 18, 1994) was a Filipino politician, journalist, businessman, and rural development advocate. He was a key government official during the administration of president Ramon Magsaysay, best known for his stint as the head of the Presidential Complaints and Action Commission. Together with Raul Manglapus, he co-founded the Progressive Party and served as its presidential candidate in 1957. He also served as Senator of the Philippines from 1961 until 1967.

Early life and career Manahan was the third of six children of Juan Manahan and Cleotilde Perez. He finished high school in 1933 at the Ateneo de Manila, and acquired his bachelor of arts degree in 1937 at the same institution.

After finishing his studies, Manahan began a business career, most notably in soft drinks manufacturing. In 1933, he established the Philippine Standard Products Company. In 1937, he became a business apprentice at H.E. Heacock and Company, a major department store on Escolta Street in Manila.

After his release, he went on to work for the Liberator, an underground newspaper. For this he was awarded the honor of Officer of the Philippine Legion of Honor in 1950. He also headed an anonymous organization responsible for screening prospective appointees of the Magsaysay administration for their moral fitness.

He also played a key role in four months of negotiations and the surrender of Luis Taruc, the leader of the communist group Hukbalahap, on 17 May 1954. The negotiations with Taruc highlighted social inequity among rural farmworkers that led to promises to address some of these issues. Shortly thereafter, Manahan became actively involved in the development of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) that was then establishing an agricultural training center and demonstration farm in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

1957 presidential campaign

When Magsaysay died due to a plane crash in 1957, Vice President Carlos P. Garcia soon assumed office as President. With the presidential election scheduled to be held in the same year, Magsaysay's death also triggered a chaotic political situation in the country, most notably with the ruling Nacionalista Party.

Manahan, among other Nacionalistas closely associated with Magsaysay, were disappointed by the "cold treatment" given to them by allies of President Garcia and decided to leave the party. Soon, Manahan co-founded the Progressive Party of the Philippines together with Raul Manglapus. The new party aimed to be an alternative to the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party. Manahan served as its candidate for the presidential election, with Vicente Araneta as his running mate.

Despite having less money compared to the candidates of the two major parties, he was able to rally significant support among the masses with his popular appeal and his resemblance, both physically and ideologically, to the late President Magsaysay.

On September 7, 1957, Manahan survived an assassination attempt while campaigning in Opon, Cebu. Andronico Baguio, the would-be assassin, attempted to kill Manahan with a 7-inch knife. However, he was quickly apprehended by Manahan's bodyguards. Manahan eventually asked the police to release Baguio as soon as they confiscated his knife.

Manahan lost to Garcia in the presidential election, managing to rank in 3rd place with 20.90 percent of the vote. Araneta, his running mate, lost to Diosdado Macapagal of the Liberal Party.

Senatorial career In the 1959 general election, the Progressive Party collaborated with defectors from the Nacionalista and Liberal parties to form the Grand Alliance. Manahan became one of the candidates of the Alliance for the senatorial election. However, Manahan was not able to win a seat in the Senate.

In the 1961 general election, the Grand Alliance joined forces with the Liberal Party to oppose President Garcia's bid for reelection and endorse Vice-President Macapagal's presidential candidacy.

Family and legacy After Manahan's death, a group of family members and friends established the Manuel P. Manahan Foundation in his honor in 2002. The foundation aims to provide integrated programs to enhance the living conditions of members of the marginalized society. His daughter in law, Maria Socorro "Muffet" Manahan, the Executive Director of the Manuel P. Manahan Foundation, was a candidate for the Philippine Senate representing the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in the 2019 elections.

His brother, Constantino P. Manahan, was a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and was a founder of the Makati Medical Center, and his sister-in-law Elvira Ledesma Manahan (Constantino's wife) was an actress and television talk show host. His nephews, Johnny Manahan is a television personality, Joey Manahan, is a politician in Hawaii and Philip Manahan, is a public servant in the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Benjamin Manahan Jr., is the Regional Director for the Department of Tourism.

Electoral history