born Nov. 16, 1890, Vigan, Phil.
died Feb. 28, 1956, Novaliches
Second president of the independent Republic of the Philippines.
Quirino served in numerous elected and appointed posts in the Philippines prior to independence. In 1934 he accompanied Manuel Quezon to the U.S. to secure passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which set a date for Philippine independence. He became vice president to Manuel Roxas after independence, succeeding to the presidency on Roxas's death in 1948. Quirino's presidency (194853) was one of notable postwar reconstruction and economic gains, but social problems remained unsolved (leading to the Hukbalahap Rebellion ), and government corruption was widespread.