 He helped secure the passage of the Bell Trade Act and the Parity Rights Amendment to the Constitution, allowing American citizens and corporations equal access to Philippine minerals, forests and other natural resources.He defended the exercise of President Quirino of emergency powers granted to the President after the end of World War II.When Quirino grew increasingly unpopular, Pérez rejected pleas from fellow Members of Congress to challenge the incumbent President for the Liberal Party nomination in the 1953 presidential elections.