Macario Peralta Jr.
The Honorable Macario P. Peralta Jr. | |
---|---|
Secretary of National Defense | |
In office January 1, 1962 – December 30, 1965 | |
President | Diosdado Macapagal |
Preceded by | Alejo Santos |
Succeeded by | Ferdinand Marcos (acting) |
Senator of the Philippines | |
In office December 30, 1949 – December 30, 1955 | |
Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board | |
In office 1946–1949 | |
Appointed by | Manuel Roxas |
Personal details | |
Born | Liberation of Panay | July 30, 1913
Macario Peralta Peralta Jr. (July 30, 1913 – January 7, 1975) was a Filipino soldier, lawyer, senator and Secretary of National Defense.
Early life
Peralta was born in Manila on July 30, 1913, of Ilocano-Pangasinan descent to Macario Maravilla Peralta Sr. and Concepcion Roldan Peralta from Mangatarem, he grew up in Moncada, Tarlac. Peralta finished his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the Philippines Manila, graduating cum laude, in 1936. He passed the bar the same year, obtaining second place to Diosdado Macapagal.
Career
Army Officer
Peralta joined the Philippine Army in 1936 as a reserve officer and was later commissioned in the regular force as second Lieutenant. His first assignment was in Cebu as Commandant of the Visayan Institute ROTC cadets, later at the Adamson University in Manila. He attended the Philippine Army Infantry School in 1940, finishing at the top of his class.
War found him back in the
In this resistance campaign against the Japanese, Peralta displayed his exemplary leadership, competence and gallantry in action.[
Returning to military control in 1945, he was subsequently sent to the
He resigned from the Army in 1946 and was appointed by President Manuel Roxas as Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board, a position he served until 1949. With the Magsaysay Mission to the United States which he helped organize, he was able to obtain substantial benefits for the disabled veterans. Again, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Star by the Philippine government for this mission.
Political career
At 36, he ran for the
Cabinet official
It was President Macapagal who persuaded him to handle the defense portfolio, a position he had twice refused after the "exemplary devotion to duty and for being the most valuable cabinet member" in the first year of the Macapagal administration. The President also appointed him head of the Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration (PVTA).
He was awarded by the Confederation of Filipino Veterans (CONVETS) for distinguished service to Filipino veterans. He was a recipient of the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action in Panay.
Personal life and death
Peralta was married to Natividad Kasilag of Batangas with whom he had three children - Macario III, Cecilia, and Engelbert.
He died on January 7, 1975, and is buried at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Jaro, Iloilo City.
See also
- List of American guerrillas in the Philippines
- Tomás Confesor, leader of civilian government on Panay
References
- ISBN 0813119499
- ISBN 1-4102-2495-3