COMMONWEALTH

The creation of the Commonwealth was

envisioned under the Philippine
Independence Act, popularly known as the
Tydings-McDuffie Act.

a ten-year transitional government in
preparation for full Philippine independence
and sovereignty

Inaugurated in November 15, 1935


A Constitutional Convention was convened in
Manila on July 30, 1934

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines was signed on March 23, 1935.

In September 1935, presidential elections were
held. And Nacionalista Party , Manuel L. Quezon
and Sergio Osmea, won over Emilio Aguinaldo
and Gregorio Aglipay.

self-governing
but still, foreign policy and military affairs
would be under the responsibility of the
United States, and certain legislation
required the approval of the American
president
a very strong executive, a unicameral
National Assembly
a Supreme Court, all composed entirely of
Filipinos
American High Commissioner, American
Military Advisor, and Field Marshall were
present
In 1939-40,
- unicameral -> bicameral Congress
- National Assembly -> Senate
-> House of Representatives
Policies
an agrarian reform program was initiated
by the Commonwealth
1936, Executive Order 23 which contained
the specifications of the national flag.

The Commonwealth created a Surian ng
Wikang Pambansa (National Language
Institute)
Tagalog was selected as the basis for the
"national language" to be called "Pilipino"
Commonwealth Act 570
- allowing Pilipino to become an official
language upon independence

Achievements

1. Reorganization of the government by
creating new offices

2. Granting of woman suffrage, after a
special national plebiscite in which 447,725
women voted in favor of woman suffrage and
44,397 against.

Achievements
3. Creation of new chartered cities
4. The adoption of the National Language,
based on Tagalog.
5. Promotion of social justice
-Eight Hour Labor Act enacted by the
National Assembly
-appointment of the public defenders (
government lawyers )

Achievements
6. Compulsory military training of able-
bodied Filipino youths (C.A.T. and R.O.T.C.),
by General Douglas MacArthur.
7. Taking of the 1939 official census of the
Philippines.
8. The improvement of the Philippine
economy, as revealed by the growth of
agriculture, commerce and industries.
Achievements
9. JPCPA ( Joint Preparatory Committee on
Philippine Affairs )
(1) the granting of Philippine independence
on July 4, 1946
(2) the extension of Philippine-American
preferential trade to December 31, 1960.
Achievements
10. 3 amendments to the 1935 Constitution
(1) President and Vice-President - four years
with reelection for another term;
(2) establishment of a bicameral Congress of
the Philippines
(3) creation of an independent Commission on
Elections composed of three members to
supervise all elections



"I would rather have a
government run like hell by
Filipinos than a government run
like heaven by Americans.