Osmena's presidency was marked by the outbreak of World War II in 1941. The Philippines was a United States territory at the time and was attacked by Japan shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Osmena and his government were forced to flee to the United States, where they established a government-in-exile.
Post-War Reconstruction
After the war, Osmena returned to the Philippines and oversaw the country's reconstruction. The Philippines had been devastated by the war, and Osmena faced many challenges in rebuilding the economy and infrastructure. He also had to deal with the rise of the Hukbalahap Rebellion, a communist-led insurgency that threatened to overthrow the government.
Political Opposition
Osmena faced strong political opposition from both within his own party and from other parties. He was accused of being too close to the United States and of not doing enough to protect Philippine sovereignty. He also faced criticism for his handling of the Hukbalahap Rebellion.
Economic Problems
The Philippines faced many economic problems during Osmena's presidency. The economy had been devastated by the war, and the country was struggling to rebuild. Osmena also had to deal with inflation and a high unemployment rate.
Corruption
Corruption was a major problem in the Philippines during Osmena's presidency. Osmena himself was accused of corruption, and his government was widely seen as being corrupt. This undermined public confidence in the government and made it difficult for Osmena to implement his policies.
Health Issues
Osmena suffered from poor health during his presidency. He had a stroke in 1944, and he was forced to resign from office in 1946 due to ill health.