VIII.

THE PHILIPPINE
COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT
TMF
COOPER ACT (ORGANIC ACT 1902)
• Also known as “The Philippine Bill of 1902”

• This is the first US congressional act concerning the

government of the Philippines
COOPER ACT (ORGANIC ACT 1902)
The bill provides:
• The extension of the Bill of Rights to the Filipino people, except the
right of jury trial
• The appointment of two Filipino resident commissioners to
Washington
• The establishment of an elective Philippine Assembly after the
proclamation of complete peace and two years after the publication of
a census
• The retention of the Philippine Commission as the upper house of the
legislature, with Philippine Assembly acting as the lower house and
• The conservation of the natural resources of the Philippines for the
Filipinos
COOPER ACT (ORGANIC ACT 1902)
• July 1906: In order to keep alive, the independence sentiment of the
people and to counteract the pro-American activities of the Federal
Party, Governor Henry Clay Ide lifted the ban against pro-
independence political parties
• Radical Nationalists founded the Partido Independista Immediatista
(Immediate Independence Party)
• The Conservative nationalists organized the Union Nacionalista
(Nationalist Union)
• The two nationalist parties united under the name PARTIDO
NACIONALISTA (Nationalist Party) to defeat the well
organized Partido Nacional Progresista (National Progressive
Party), formerly the pro-American Federal Party
COOPER ACT (ORGANIC ACT 1902)
• July 30, 1907: The two political parties, PARTIDO
NACIONALISTA and PARTIDO NACIONAL PROGRESISTA
clashed for the first time in the election for the seat in the First
Philippine Assembly
• The issue was immediate independence.

• The Partido Nacionalista electrified the country with its stirring

slogan immediate, absolute and complete independence and won by a
landslide majority.
THE GABALDON LAW
• The first bill passed by the Philippine Assembly was the
GABALDON LAW
• Which appropriated one million pesos for the building of barrio
schools
• Pursuant to the Philippine Bill of 1902, the Filipino were represented
in the American Congress by two resident commissioners.
• The resident commissioners were defenders of Filipino interests in
America.
THE GABALDON LAW
• They took part in the debates in the house of Representatives of the
US Congress
• But they could not vote.
• November 1912: the Democratic Party, which was sympathetic to the
Filipino aspiration for independence, came into power in the US
• The liberal-minded Francis Burton Harrison became the new
Governor General of the Philippines
• The Filipino people came to enjoy more autonomy.
THE GABALDON LAW
• President Woodrow Wilson appointed five Filipinos to the
Commission.
• Hence, Filipino obtained control of the Philippine Commission
• 1902: Congress gave discount of 25% on the regular American tariff
in favor of Philippine exports.
• 1909: The PAYNE-ALDRICH ACT was promulgated
• Establishing partial free trade between US and the Philippines
THE GABALDON LAW
• Full free trade was established with the passage of the
UNDERWOOD-SIMMONS ACT 1913
• This made the Philippines economically dependent on the US
• Agricultural development was neglected in favor of producing
products that were needed for export such sugar, copra, abaca
and coffee
THE GABALDON LAW
• Gov Gen Harrison was an ardent champion of Filipino rights and
liberties
• He adopted the policy of Filipinizing the Philippine government
• Replacing the American officials and employees with Filipino
• Then the JONES LAW OF 1916 was passed
THE JONES LAW PREAMBLE
• America promised that independence would be granted to the
Philippines as soon as a stable government shall be established therein.
EDUCATION DURING THE
AMERCAN COLONIAL RULE
• Education during the American colonial rule was no longer the
privilege of a few rich families
• It had become the right of all people, rich and poor, to be educated.
• The educational system emphasized the democratic traditions and the
practical applications of law and principles.
• Coeducation was established
• The growth of education was shown by the unprecedented increase in
number of schools, teachers, and students.
• It propagated the English language.
• As a result, there was an increase percentage in Filipino literacy
The recognition of the Supreme
Court during the Early American
Period
• Cayetano Arellano, who was a former member of the Consultative
Assembly during the Spanish period and who never supported the
Philippine Revolution, turned Janus-faced during that period of
history.
• He helped in the drafting of the Constitution of the Philippine
Republic
• But also supported the Americans in establishing the US Government
in the islands
The recognition of the Supreme
Court during the Early American
Period
• General Wesley Merritt: First act, United States Military Governor of
the Philippines was to declare that existing municipal, civil and
criminal laws to be enforced.
• However, on conditions that these laws did not counter the purpose of
the American Colonial Government in the islands.
• The American, therefore needed an expert in Spanish laws to help
them establish their colonial government.
• They found Cayetano Arellano as the man who could do the job.
• Cayetano accepted the invitation of Merritt
The recognition of the Supreme
Court during the Early American
Period
CAYETANO ARELLANO
• Was born in Orion, Bataan
• March 2, 1847
• His parents were Servando Arellano a Spanish overseer of the friar's
estate and an official of the Tobacco Monopoly and Crisfora Lonzon a
Filipino
• As a working student, he finished his primary and secondary grades at
the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
• He obtained his Bachelor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Theology (1862),
Bachelor of Laws (1876) degrees in the University of Santo Tomas
The recognition of the Supreme
Court during the Early American
Period
• During the Spanish regime, Arellano held various public office s such
as special judge in recalling the politico-military governor of Tarlac
(1878)
• As a Magistrato Suplente of the Audiencia Territorial de Manila
(1886 and 1891)
• Member of the City Council of Manila (887-1889)
• He served as member of the provincial convention to discuss
provision of the Maura Law (18evolutionary Government in late 1898
• He took his oath of office on October 1, 1898, but was so keen in
planning the newly proclaimed Republic.
COMMONWEALTH
• The Old English word for a political community established for
common good
• It is also a synonymous to REPUBLIC
• November 15, 1935: Inauguration of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines
• MANUEL L QUEZON: was elected president of the Commonwealth
Period and known as the FATHER OF THE PHILIPPINE
LANGUAGE
COMMONWEALTH
• Policies adopted during the Commonwealth period:
• Policy of social justice (for the common “tao)
• Establishment of Court of Industrial Relations
• The National Defense Act
• SERGIO OSMENA: became the president after President Manuel
Quezon passed away in New York because of Tuberculosis
Pre-Commonwealth Period
• Claro M Recto was one of the four (4) Democratas elected to
the House in 1919.
• The Nacionalistas on the other hand won 78 out of 82 seats.
• The early 1900’s economic development helped the
Nationalista party to become popular
• By 1919,the economic condition of most countries in the world
were in bad shape.
• The price of rice went up and the Manila Railroad also suffered
losses because of the rains and floods.
Pre-Commonwealth Period
• In the election of 1922, the Democratas were able to increase
their representation in the legislature to 26
• Manuel L Quezon had decided to separate from Sergio
Osmena on the issue of personal leadership and there were
three (3) candidates for speakership:
• Claro M Recto for the Democratas
• Manuel Roxas for the Colectivitas
• Mariano Cuenco for the Unipersonalistas
Pre-Commonwealth Period
• Eventually, Osmena gave his support to the Colectivitas and
Roxas won the speakership.
• Many interest groups, especially in business had prospered
from the special economic relations between the United States
of America and Philippines.
• Hence, the independence remained an issue but it was desired
with less urgency because most of the members of the political
parties were preoccupied by their personal interests and strong
desire for party supremacy
The Fairfield Bill
• Finding that Congressional opinion continued to favor
immediate independence despite all arguments against it from
the Executive, the administration resurrected a bill prepared by
the Bureau of Insular Affair in 1922
• Fairfield Bill a compromise measure which provided for a long
transition period and many reservations of power for the United
States
• Gen McIntyre claimed he had prepared the original draft to this
bill at the instance of Osmena and Quezon who were the
chairmen of Parliamentary Mission at that time
• Among the supporters of the Fairfield Bill were American
financiers with businesses in the Philippine Island
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• 1930: the election in the US had brought the Democratas and
the American economists into ab agreement of protecting their
products against their Filipino counterparts by granting the
Philippine Independence.
• The US Congress passed the HARE-HAWES-CUTTING BILL.
• As expected, the dilemma with this Bill was the political
supremacy among Filipino politicians.
• It was Osmena and Roxas who got the credit being the
heads of the OSROX mission that safeguarded the said
BILL.
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• Quezon had predicted that the passing of Hare-Hawe-Cutting
Bill will affect his political career.
• Quezon ordered the two leaders to return home before the bill
was finally approved.
• October 17, 1933: the legislature, through a concurrent
resolution, rejected the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Bill.
• Vice Senator Elpidio Quirino left with Quezon for Washington
DC on another independence mission.
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• Claro M Recto was named acting floor leader of the new
majority in the Senate.
• March 1934: The US Congress passed TYDINGS-MCDUFFY
ACT.
• This act explained the reason for his objection to Hare-
Hawes-Cutting Bill in his open letter to Quezon…
• Because it would have been unfair that others should be the
ones to bring home what in reality was the fruit of your labors,
what you had long and doggedly fought for in the halls of
American Congress…(Recto)
THE TYDINGS-MCDUFFY ACT
• AN ACT To provide for the complete independence of the
Philippine Islands, to provide for the adoption of a constitution
and a form of government for the Philippine Islands, and for
other purposes.

• the U.S. statute that provided for Philippine independence, to

take effect on July 4, 1946, after a 10-year transitional period of
Commonwealth government. The bill was signed by U.S. Pres.
Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 24, 1934, and was sent to the
Philippine Senate for approval. Although that body had
previously rejected the similar Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act, it
approved the Tydings-McDuffie Act on May 1.
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• May 1, 1934: the Philippine legislature accepted the Tydings-
McDuffy Act.
• In the same year, a constitutional convention was convened,
with Claro M Recto as its chairman.
• During the visit if Senator Millard Tydings, while the
constitutional convention was in session, Recto as presiding
chairman of the convention gave the following remarks:
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• Recto as presiding chairman of the convention gave the
following remarks:
We welcome member of the Congressional Mission as our friend. You who have been
our conquerors could have become ruthless and followed a policy of imperialism.
However, everyone knows that the policy of the United States towards the Philippines
has always been one of benevolence and disinterestedness. The relation between the
United States and the Philippine Islands have been based on mutuality and friendship.
For this reason, I am in hopes that the future relationship shall be also on the same basis.

I realize that the Tydings-McDuffy Law has been inspired by the good will of the United
States to the Filipino people. We should therefore appreciate the sending here of a new
mission of friendship in order to give us the opportunity to demonstrate what the
imperfections and inequalities of the new law are. But I am confident that by common
council, we will arrive upon a happy solution of the problems of both nations…
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• Furthermore, he acknowledge the American influence with
these word:

…this Constitution is the creation of the people themselves, exactly as we wished it

to be at the very outset of our labors and also as the sincere friends of the
Philippines wished it to be. Among these friends, it is my pleasure to name, is the
last representative in this country of the American colonial regime - Governor
General Frank Murphy
COMMONWEALTH PERIOD
• The 1934 ConCon approved a resolution expressing these
words as its final act:

…on it sown behalf and in the name of the Filipino people, its profound gratitude
and appreciation to the government and the people of the United States, to all
those aided the cause of freedom of the Filipino people for the opportunity to write
its own Constitution and to become an independent nation,
The Supporters and Critiques of the
1935 Constitution
• The chairman of the 1934 ConCon was convinced that the
proposed Constitution will be approved by the US President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt:
• There is nothing in the draft we believe, that can be sufficient reason for
the President to decline to sanction it. We have approved a constitution
which is substantially in accordance with the philosophy of government of
the American people, and with our wishes and desires.
The Supporters and Critiques of the
1935 Constitution
• On the other hand, Jose P. Laurel criticized the Constitution
with these words:
• …no other constitution of a free and sovereign nation in the world
today…has had be written and adopted by mandate of another
power and passed upon and approved by the highest official of
that power.
• That it has many wise provisions in beside the point: that it is
among the best-written charters of nations in the world
today…should not blind the Filipinos of today to the obvious
imperfections of the Constitution, to its tenor subservience to a
foreign power, and to its numerous provisions.
The Supporters and Critiques of the
1935 Constitution
• July 1958: Jose P. Laurel addressed the Senate and House
Committee on Constitution Amendments:
• This need is for thorough revision of our entire Constitution to be
accomplished… by means of a Constitutional Convention, duly elected for
the purpose by a universal suffrage of free Filipinos
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO 1
• Part of President Quezon’s blueprint on national defense to
ensure that the country during Commonwealth period will be
protected from any insurgency , internal rebellion, and foreign
attacks was the establishment of regular and reserve military
forces.
• The National Assembly enacted Commonwealth Act No 1 – The
Nation Defense Act, requiring all 21-year-old able-bodied male
citizen to render 5 ½ months of military service through regular
military force or through reserve force.
• President Manuel Quezon sought the services of then retired
Chief of Staff of the US Army, General Douglas McArthur.
SAKDALISTA UPRISING
• In May 1935, approximately 65,000 Filipino peasants headed
by Benigno Ramos surrounded Manila to dramatize their
demands for genuine agrarian reform, abolition of unfair taxes,
government policy against land grabbing and total
independence from the Americans.
• The Sakdalista uprising was a classic example of Filipinos
discontentment, and it was a wake-up call to the administration
of President Manuel L. Quezon
Social Justice Program of President
Quezon
• President Manuel L. Quezon has received the title of being The
Father of Social Justice because his administration was
committed in the promotion of genuine reconciliation through
genuine social justice.
• His administration was equated with fair labor practices.
• The minimum wage law and eight-hour labor law were seriously
implemented.
Department of Education
• The government of Quezon was also aware that the best way to
combat poverty is through education.
• Like Rizal, Quezon believed that education is still the best
weapon to liberate the Filipinos from their oppressive ignorance.
• He advocated the UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION to
break the bondage of poverty among Filipino families – making
education accessible to all Filipino children through free
elementary and secondary education.
Department of Education
• Rafael Palma was appointed as chairman of National Council of
Education in 1936
• Vice President Sergio Osmena as head of the Department of
Education.
• The first time a Filipino assumed this position.
• In the early years of Commonwealth period, the Filipino put so much
weight on elementary and adult education
Department of Education
• At the later part of 1930’s, the goal of education the Filipino
children was a failure
• 1,961,861 were enrolled, but less than 50% of children of
school age were enrolled in public schools and one-half of the
population over ten-year of age were functionally illiterate.
LINGUA FRANCA
• The farmers of the 1935 Constitution were aware of the
importance of National language
• As a unifying factor for a young nation like Philippines
• Article II of the 1935 Constitution states that:
• Take steps toward the development and adaptation of a common
language based on one existing native language…
• A year after the adaptation of the 1935 Constitution, the
National Assembly enacted Commonwealth Act No 184
establishing the Institute of National Language (INL)
commissioned to study the different language.
LINGUA FRANCA
• 1937: The institute recommended the adaptation of Tagalog as
the basis of national language.
• The National Assembly adopted the recommendation of the INL
through Commonwealth Act No 570
• Commonwealth Act No 570 – declaring Tagalog as the official
language of the Philippines effective upon declaration of
Philippine Independence from the Americans on July 4, 1946
• Its is worth to note that the 1987 Constitution Section 6, Article
XIV states that Filipino is the official language of the Philippines.
Economic condition of the Philippines
during the Commonwealth
The most im Agricultural Source of Source of Income from Major Import
portant Products Employment National Exports and Export
sector Income Partner

Agriculture Rice, coconut, 65% of the lab 40% of the nat 75% from the United States
sugar, abaca or force ional income value of of America
and tobacco exports

The Tydings-McDuffy Act of 1934 has its natural consequences in the Philippine
economy where the Principal exports of the Philippines entered the American markets
were particularly free and limited only by congressionally set quotas and fairly small
processing tax which was returned to the Philippine government.
American influences on the Filipinos
• The American left their remarkable contributions in the different
institutions of the Filipino society.
• The system of public education was introduced where the
American soldiers became the first public school teachers and
later on substituted by the Thomasites.
• Higher education was set-up like the state-supported University
of the Philippines in 1908
• Co-education was allowed to be practiced
American influences on the Filipinos
• English became the language of instruction which made the
Philippines the third largest English-speaking country in the
world.
• Due to these innovations in the educational institutions, the
literacy rate of the Filipinos increases.
• An advance systems on public health and sanitation was
introduced resulting to a decrease in the mortality rate of the
Filipinos
• Improvements were also made on the country’s trading system,
commerce and industries which led to an enhanced economic
condition of the Philippines
American influences on the Filipinos
• The utmost legacy of the Americans was democracy in which
the Filipinos were given a chance to participate in government
affairs through free and open elections.
• People enjoyed more human rights; political parties were
formed; and there was the emancipation of women
• On the other hand, there were several American influences
which produced negative effects in the Filipino lives.
• Colonial Mentality was intensified.
• Filipinos became economically dependent to the Americans and\there was
a partial loss of the Filipino culture
 END OF THE LESSON 8

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