First inauguration of Carlos P. Garcia
The inauguration of Carlos P. Garcia as the eighth president of the Philippines took place at 5:56 PM (PHT) on March 18, 1957 at the Council of State Room of Malacañang Palace in Manila, under extraordinary circumstances. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first term (which lasted 9 months and 13 days) of Garcia as President, following the 1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash causing the death of President Ramon Magsaysay a day earlier.[1][2] Chief Justice Ricardo Paras of the Supreme Court administered the oath of office. Garcia flew earlier that day to Manila from Australia, where he was leading the Philippine delegation to the SEATO conference then being held in Canberra when he learned of Magsaysay's tragic death.[2]
 Carlos P. García (right) was sworn in as the 8th president of the Philippines | |
| Date | March 18, 1957 |
|---|---|
| Location | Malacañang Palace Manila |
| Participants | President of the Philippines, Carlos P. Garcia Assuming office Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines,Ricardo Paras Administering oath |
Inauguration
At 5:51 PM (PHT), Garcia met with the Magsaysay Cabinet to inform that "the President is dead." Five minutes later, he recited the following:
I, Carlos P. Garcia, of Talibon, province of Bohol, having succeeded to the Presidency of the Philippines by virtue of the provisions of Article VII, section 8 of the Constitution, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me, God.
Among those who witnessed the oathtaking was Senate President Eulogio Rodriguez. After taking oath of office, Garcia delivered his inaugural speech. Afterwards, he met his Cabinet for the first time to discuss the funeral arrangements for Magsaysay.[3]
References
- President Carlos P. Garcia’s remarks after his assumption of Office as President to succeed the late President Ramon Magsaysay, Monday afternoon, March 18, 1957 (Speech). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. March 18, 1957. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- Molina, Antonio. The Philippines: Through the centuries. Manila: University of Sto. Tomas Cooperative, 1961. Print.
- "Official Month in Review: March 16 – March 31, 1957". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. March 31, 1957. Retrieved October 2, 2023.