Jos Paciano Laurel y Garca (Spanish: [xose lauel]; March 9, 1891 November 6, 1959) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, and judge, who served as the president of the Japanese-occupied Second Philippine Republic, a puppet state during World War II, from 1943 to 1945. Since the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal (19611965), Laurel has been officially recognized by later administrations as a former president of the Philippines.



The Second Philippine Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (Tagalog: Repúbliká ng Pilipinas; Spanish: República de Filipinas; Japanese: フィリピン共和国, Firipin-kyōwakoku) and also known as the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic, was a Japanese puppet state established on October 14, 1943, during the Japanese occupation.