Why Jose p laurel called the puppet president?

José P. Laurel, the President of the Philippines from 1943 to 1945 during the Japanese occupation, was referred to as the "puppet president" because his government was seen as a puppet regime controlled by the Japanese military. Despite being a lawyer and a respected politician, his administration lacked genuine sovereignty, operating under the auspices of Japanese authority. Critics viewed his leadership as compromised, as he had to align policies with Japanese interests rather than those of the Filipino people. This perception has largely defined his legacy in Philippine history.