ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc.

Brief History of JPLMF

The Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit civic organization which was created at a meeting held on February 6, 1960, at the Hotel Filipinas by a group of civic leaders headed by Justice Pedro Tuason.

The first Chairman of the foundation was Dr. Paulino J. Garcia, who was assisted by the following other officers: Nicanor Tomas, Treasurer; Emmanuel Q. Yap, Secretary; and Salvador Araneta, Manuel Barredo, Guillermo B. Guevara, Ernesto V. Lagdameo, Ferdinand E. Marcos, Francisco Ortigas, Jr., Claro M. Recto, Pedro R. Sabido, Pedro Tuason, and Flora A. Ylagan, Incorporators-Trustees.

The other members were: Conrado Benitez, Sixto R. de la Costa, Anselmo Diaz, Guillermo B. Francisco, Daniel Me. Gomez, Sixto Y. Orosa, Roman Ozaeta, Guillermo Pablo, Jose Paez, Ricardo Paras, Joaquin P. Roces, Bartolome San Diego, Antonio J.M. Sison, Lee A. Telesco, and Amparo P. Villamor. Later Antonio de las Alas, Cresencio Peralta, Arsenio C. Regala, Jose Sanvictores, and Jose O. Castro were admitted as new members. The members of the Foundation are classified into sustaining, regular and life members.

The Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Building

The Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Building is envisioned as a lasting monument to the ideals and achievements of the great man after whom it is named.

The building will be the permanent site of the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Library and Museum and will also serve as the center of its activities and projects in propagating and perpetuating the works, ideas, and achievements of Dr. Jose P. Laurel from funds accruing to it.

From the building’s total floor area of 1,581.52 square meters, the Foundation expects to generate funds with which to implement its projects.

The site of this building was acquired by virtue of Republic Act No. 5263, entitled An Act Authorizing the President of the Philippines, to sell a certain parcel of land of the private domain of the National Government to the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc..

This measure was co-authored by Representatives Ramon M. Durano, Floro Crisologo, Fernando V. Pajarillo, Vicente L. Peralta and Jose Aldeguer and by Senators Benigno Aquino, Jr., Ambrosio Padilla, Jovito R. Salonga, Dominador Aytona, Jose W. Diokno and Leonardo Perez. It was approved by the President of the Philippines on June 15, 1968.

The deed of Conveyance was signed on May 13, 1970 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines and by former Senator Pedro R. Sabido, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc.. The signing was witnessed by Land Bank Governor Conrado Estrella and Assistant Executive Secretary Ponciano Mathay.

Purposes of the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc.

The purpose of the Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Jose P. Laurel, specifically–

(a) To create and maintain a non-profit civic organization which will perpetuate the memory of the late Dr. Jose P. Laurel in grateful public recognition of his patriotic endeavors, sacrifices and achievements.

(b) The establishment of a Laurel Memorial Hall which shall house an exhibit of the relics, works in the field of culture, personal collections, manuscripts, and other objects of historical, cultural and educational value of Dr. Jose P. Laurel which had accumulated during his long public service, and which may also serve as a place for public discussion of significant issues and for cultural exhibition and presentations.

(c) To publish documents and manuscripts in the collection of Dr. Jose P. Laurel, a book on The Political Philosophy of Dr. Jose P. Laurel, as well as a regular journal which shall campaign steadily for national unity and promote cultural and economic advancement.

(d) To continue and accomplish such projects as may have been initiated or planned by Dr. Jose P. Laurel in furtherance of our country’s strength and well-being.

(e) To establish a system of annual scholarship awards to students who have demonstrated interest and extraordinary ability along the fields of endeavors of Dr. Jose P. Laurel (i.e. law, Filipino, architecture, and economics), and to conduct researches along the disciplines which Dr. Jose P. Laurel showed keen interest in, such as the field of social sciences and the humanities.

(f) To acquire properties, real or personal, receive contributions, gifts, bequests, legacies and donations here and abroad from members and non-members who believe in the ideals of Dr. Jose P. Laurel, engage the services of persons and firms, invest the funds, moneys, and properties of the corporation in such enterprises and pursue such activities as the corporation may desire or need from time to time to carry out its purposes and objectves.

(g) The holding of a series of Laurel memorial lectures by some of the former associates of Dr. Laurel, to deal mainly with the propagation and projection of his social, political, moral and economic ideas, to be held at the different learned centers in the country on March 9 and November 6 of every year.

(h) The publication of a history of the Japanese occupation in the Philippines and of the proceedings and accomplishments of the Philippine Economic Mission to the United States in 1954.

(i) The undertaking of research projects on contemporary economic problems of the Philippines, the results to be bound later into a quarterly journal of economics.

(j) In general, to exercise any and all lawful powers whatsoever in connection with the foregoing of which are calculated directly or indirectly to promote the interest of the corporation or to enhance the value of its properties and to have and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges which are or may hereafter be conferred by the laws of the Philippines upon said corporation.

Funds of the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc.

The corporation is non-stock and is maintained by such sums of money and interest thereon, as may from time to time be received from contributions, donations, grants and endowments, as well as such property or money as may from time to time be received or acquired by deed, grant, devise, bequest, gift, and the like.

Funds collected from monthly dues are used only for the operating expenses of the Foundation. Donations, endowments and other funds received from sources other than monthly dues, such as proceeds from sale of books and publications, are used only for special projects of the Foundation.

List of Chairmen of the Board of JPLMF

» Hon. Paulino J. Garcia (1960-1966) – Ph.D.
» Hon. Pedro R. Sabido (1966-1973) – Senator
» Hon. Roberto Concepción (1973-1987)
» Hon. Sotero H. Laurel (1987-1990) – Senator
» Hon. Felix V. Makasiar (1990-1992) – Chief Justice
» Hon. Enrique M. Fernando (1992-1997) – Chief Justice
» Hon. Isagani A. Cruz (1997-2013) – Chief Justice

Key Leaders

» Dr. Robert Macasaet – Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees
» Mr. Carlos P. Laurel – Treasurer
» Ms. Divine Radel R. Jope – Librarian Assistant
» Ms. Julita R. Ilano – Secretary; Cash Registrar
» Julie Sheila J. Reyes – Executive Director
» Fe Amor Esteban – Accounting Clerk
Volunteers in making temporary website: Mr. Carlos Miguel M. Jamora and Ms. Camille Andrea Soliongco