READPHILHIST
22 or 23, 1864 in Talaga, Tanauwan,
The Start of American Era
AGUINALDO'S VERSION OF THE STORY
• He had a private meeting with
American Consul Spencer Pratt.
• On the same day, Pratt sent a telegraph
to Commodore George Dewey, who
then was waiting for instructions to
attack Manila Bay.
• Philippine independence was
recognized under the protection of the
US Navy
• Aguinaldo asked for a formality but
Pratt assured him that the Consul and
Commodore's words are equal to the
words of the US government.
SPENCER PRATT AND GEORGE DEWEY'S DENIAL
• Pratt denied any dealings with
Aguinaldo when a Congress inquiry was
made; US Government did not give any
authority for them to negotiate or
promise the Philippines anything
• Dewey seconded Pratt's denial, he did
not promise anything regarding the
independence of the Philippines. He
made use of the help that the Filipino
insurgents could give while he was
waiting for his troops to arrive from the
US.
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE PROCLAIMED
• Independence proclaimed on June
12,1898 in Aguinaldo's house in Cavite
El Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite).
• The “Philippine Declaration of
Independence” was written by Mr.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish
and was read by Gen. Aguinaldo.
• On June 18, a decree was issued
establishing a dictatorial government
(with Aguinaldo as the dictator).
• On June 23, another decree was issued
replacing the dictatorial with a
revolutionary government. Aguinaldo
named himself President.
APOLINARIO MABINI Y MARANAN
• born 2nd out of eight children on July
Batangas
• Father (Inosencio) was a farmer while
mother (Dionisia) was a local market
vendor
• Won a partial scholarship in Colegio De
San Juan De Letran when he was 17
• Had to work while studying; taught
Latin to younger students from
different schools
• Finished his law degree in 6 years
because he had to work as law clerk
and court transcriptionist
• He wrote on April 1898 a manifesto on
the Spanish-American War where he
warned Philippine revolutionists to
continue the fight for independence
since Spain would give the Philippines
to the Americans if it loses in the war.
• After his exile in Hongkong, Aguinaldo
returned to the Philippines (In Cavite)
where he ordered to bring Mabini to
him.
• Mabini was brought to the mountains
of Cavite in a hammock.
• Mabini had strong persuasion powers
over Aguinaldo that he was made a
primary adviser of the revolutionary
government.
• His detractors called him “The Dark
Chamber of the President” while those
who admired him called him “The
Sublime Paralytic”.
• His detractors even spread rumors of
the cause of his disability which was
syphilis and not polio. He did not take
notice of these, but continued to work
hard for the country.
MARCELA MARINO-AGONCILLO
• Principal seamstress of the first and
official flag of the Philippines; MOTHER
OF THE PHILIPPINE FLAG
• Came from a rich family in Taal,
Batangas; finished studies at Santa
Catalina College; acquired music and
feminine crafts learnings
 • Married lawyer and jurist Don Felipe
Agoncillo at the age of 30. He was
about to be deported but Don Felipe
went to Hongkong and joined the exiled
group.
• Marcela and the rest of the family
followed Don Felipe after 22 months
• Aguinaldo visited them and requested
Marcela to handsew a flag that would
embody the aspirations of all Filipinos.
• Lorenza, Marcela's eldest daughter, and
Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Jose
Rizal's niece, helped her
• Prolonged work sessions caused their
eyes and hands to suffer. The flag was
embroidered in gold and contained
stripes of blue and red and and a white
triangle with the sun and 3 stars in it. It
was finished in 5 days. It was delivered
on May 17, 1898.
JULIAN FELIPE
• Born in Cavite, a Music teacher and
composer; he was appointed by
Aguinaldo as Director of the National
Band of the First Philippine Republic
• He joined fellow Cavitenos in the fight
against the Spaniards. He was arrested
and jailed at Fort San Felipe in Cavite.
When he was freed, he joined
Aguinaldo's forces.
• He was asked to compose a
nationalistic song to inspire compatriots
• His composition “Marcha Nacional
Filipinas” was played by the San
Francisco de Malabon as the Philippine
flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898.
• The composition was adopted as the
Philippine National Anthem on
September 5, 1938.
JOSE PALMA Y VELASQUEZ
• Born on June 3, 1876; was a poet and
soldier
• a staff of La Independencia; wrote a
patriotic poem in Spanish, Filipinas in
the house of Dona Romana G. vda de
Favis at Sitio Estacion at Barrio Nibaliw.
• The poem fit the instrumental tune of
Marcha Nacional Filipinas, and has been
since the basis for every translation of
the Philippine National Anthem.
• Filipinas was published in the first
anniversary issue of La Independencia
on Sept. 3, 1899.
TREATY OF PARIS - A BETRAYAL OF ALLIANCE
• Commissioners from the US and Spain
met in Paris on October 1898 to
produce a treaty that would bring an
end to the war after 6 months of
hostilities.
• William Day, Cushman David, William
Frye, George Gray, Whitelaw Reid -
American Peace Commission
• Eugenio Montero Rios, Jules Cambon
(French diplomat) -Spanish side
• It was a hostile atmosphere because all
of Europe was sympathetic to Spain;
only England was not on Spain's side
TREATY OF PARIS
• The Conference discussed Cuba and
debt questions
• Commodore Dewey's victory marked
the entrance of the US in the Pacific.
Although Spain argued that the Filipinos
already surrendered after the battle,
that it must not be demanded as a war
conquest, they eventually yielded.
• US paid Spain 20 million dollars for the
possession of the Philippines.
• Guam and Puerto Rico were also placed
under American control. Spain dropped
its claim to Cuba.
MALOLOS CONGRESS
• This was an attempt to establish a
formal government that aimed for
recognition by the American
government even after the Treaty of
Paris was signed
• A revolutionary congress in Malolos, the
Malolos Congress, also known as the
National Assembly, was the constituent
assembly of the First Philippine
Republic, held in Barasoain Church in
Malolos, Bulacan
• It was a show of force to the foreign
correspondents that Filipinos were
 civilized; the Church itself was the seat
of Government
• Election of Malolos Congress was held
between June 23 and September 10,
1898
• The revolutionary congress convened
on Sept. 15, 1898 in Barasoain Church.
President was Pedro Paterno, Gregorio
Araneta was VP
• The Delaration of Philippine
Independence was ratified on Sept. 29.
• Drafting of a Constitution was then
opposed by Apolinario Mabini.
MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
• was ratified on Nov. 29, 1898
• signed into law on Dec. 23, 1898
• approved on Jan. 20, 1899
• sanctioned by Aguinaldo in Jan. 21,
1899
• promulgated on Jan. 22, 1899
• The people had exclusive sovereignty;
stated basic civil rights; separated state
and church; called for a creation of a
National Assembly to act as legislature
• also called for a parliamentary form of
government
START OF THE PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN WAR
• Private William Grayson of the
American sentry Volunteer Infantry
Rgiment was at the corner of Sociego
and Silencio Streets near the San Juan
River Bridge in Sta.Mesa. He saw
Filipino soldiers and ordered them to
stop. When the Filipino soldiers didn't
stop, he killed a Filipino Lieutenant and
another Filipino soldier.
• Pres. Aguinaldo tried to stop the
conflict by sending Gen. Isidoro Torres
and deliver a message to Gen Otis of
the American Army. But the effort was
rejected by Gen. Elwell Otis saying that
the fighting has started and must come
to a grim end.
• First Filipino fatality was Corporal
Anastacio Felix
• Gen, Artemio Ricarte led Filipino troops
who were around Manila. They were at
a disadvantage but it still took the
Americans three years to defeat and
conquer the Filipinos.
• March 31, 1900, American forces
occupied Malolos
• Aguinaldo and his revolutionary
government moved to San Isidro, Nueva
Ecija
• Aguinaldo was captured on March 23,
1901 in Palanan, Isabela.
GEN. ANTONIO LUNA
• An Ilocano born on October 29, 1866 in
Manila
• The fiercest Filipino general of his time;
succeeded Artemio Ricarte as Chief of
the AFP
• Had a background in military science; a
sniper who organized professional
guerilla soldiers known as LUNA
SHARPSHOOTERS and the BLACK
GUARD
• LUNA DEFENSE was his famous three-
tier defense which gave the American
troops a hard operations to the
provinces north of Manila
• His temper caused some to hate him;
called HENERAL ARTIKULO UNO
• Awarded the Philippine Republic Medal
in 1899
• Was a member of the Malolos Congress
• Also studied pharmacy, chemistry, and
literature
• Died in the hands of his fellow Filipino
soldiers
EMILIO AGUINALDO’S CAPTURE
• His conventional forces shattered,
Aguinaldo shifted to GUERILLA
WARFARE, an unpredictable warfare
method
• This method impeded the defeat of the
Filipinos, thus, Americans felt that only
the capture of their leader would
weaken their forces
• On February 1901, Brigadier Gen.
Frederick Funston made Aguinaldo’s
office in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija as his
headquarters. The house was owned by
Crispulo Sideco or “Kapitang Pulong.”
 Aguinaldo then has transferred to
Palanan to evade arrest by the enemies.
• The town mayor, Francisco Villajuan,
had convinced revolutionary forces, led
by Cecilio Segismundo, to give up since
their town has been taken over by the
Americans.
• Cecilio Segismundo, Gen. Aguinaldo’s
messenger, was forced to identify the
whereabouts of Aguinaldo plus the
number or men that he was with. He
was bringing coded messages made by
Aguinaldo under the alias of PASTOR
and COLON DE MAGDALO.
• Lazaro Segovia, a former Spanish army
officer who defected to the Philippine
army then shifted allegiance to the
Americans, decoded the messages.
• The most important message was the
order to Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo to
send reinforcement troops to Palanan,
Isabela
• 78 Macabebe scouts were disguised as
the reinforcements asked by Aguinaldo;
Gen. Funston and 4 other Americans
disguised themselves as prisoners of
war
• The Macabebe scouts were issued
Mausers, Remingtons, and Krag-
Jorgensens. These were the rifles used
by Aguinaldo’s soldiers. Some were
given rayadillo uniform of the Philippine
army.
• Hilario Placido, Lazaro Segovia, Dionisio
Bato, & Gregorio Cadhit went with the
disguised troops. They knew Aguinaldo
personally.
• Gen. Funston also had with him the
Official Seal of Gen. Urbano Lacuna and
some official letters with the signature
of Aguinaldo.
• Two forged letters were made,
addressed to Aguinaldo. One was a war
progress report and the other one was
form Gen. Baldomero, recommending
Hilario Placido and the 80 men with him
as the reinforcement he requested.
• Roman Roque, a native from San Isidro
and a former officer of the Philippine
army, copied the signature of Gen.
Lacuna; was later employed by the US
army as interpreter and clerk
• The plan was executed at 3pm, when
Placido and Segovia were able to
convince Aguinaldo of the authenticity
of the two letters. Macabebe scouts
started to shoot.
• Aguinaldo and his men were declared
POW’s (prisoner of war); they took a
10km walk to the shoreline of Palanan
and boarded USS Vicksburg to Manila.
• Aguinaldo was presented to Gen.
Arthur MacArthur; was treated as a
guest on March 28,1901.
• On April 1, 1901, he swore allegiance to
the USA.
GREGORIO DEL PILAR
• Born on November 14, 1875 in Bulacan,
Bulacan
• His parents were Fernando Del Pilar and
Felipa Sempio
• Nephew of Marcelo H. Del Pilar
• Goyong, at the age of 20, joined the
insurgency when it was under the
leadership of Andres Bonifacio; was a
field commander fighting Spanish
garrisons in Bulacan
• He participated in the attack of
Kakarong de Silipandi, Bulacan, a town
which was not friendly to the Katipunan
• Spanish recaptured the town on Jan. 1,
1897; got injured in the forehead
• Started as a Lieutenant; was promoted
to Captain in August 1897.
• He met and proposed to Emilio
Aguinaldo a plan to attack a Spanish
garrison in Paombong, Bulacan. The
plan was approved; he successfully
captured 14 Mauser rifles; was
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
• When they returned to the Philippines
after their exile in Hongkong, he
accepted the surrender of Spanish
soldiers in his hometown; he was
 promoted to the rank of Brigadier
General.
• On Dec. 2, 1899, the Texas Regiment of
the US Army was after Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo. Goyong, leading 60 Filipino
soldiers, made a delaying action to
cover Aguinaldo and let him escape.
• The five-hour fire fight led to his death,
a shot to his neck.
• His body was desecrated and robbed by
American soldiers; unburied and
exposed for several days.
• Lt. Dennis Quinlan, an American officer
who reviewed the trail, gave his body a
traditional US military burial. On his
tombstone was inscribed “An Officer
and a Gentleman.”
MACARIO SAKAY
• Born along Tabora St., Tondo, Manila,
Macario was a worker in a kalesa
manufacturing shop. He was also a
tailor and a stage actor.
• Principe Baldovino, Doce Pares de
Francia and Amante de la Corona were
some of the plays he performed in.
• He was one of the original members of
the Katipunan; fought alongside Andres
Bonifacio
• He was jailed for seditious activities
during the Philippine-American War; he
was later released as part of American
humanitarian amnesty.
• He was one of the founders of the
Partido Nacionalista tat aimed to gain
independence through legal means.
• Made an appeal to the Philippine
Commission (composed of Americans)
but this was futile since the Commission
passed the Sedition Law, which
prohibited any form of propaganda
advocating independence for the
country.
• Macario was forced to take up arms
against the Americans. He continued
fighting even after the capture and
pledge of allegiance of Aguinaldo to the
American government.
• After the surrender of Aguinaldo,
Macario held the leadership of the
revolution and declared himself
SUPREME PRESIDENT OF THE TAGALOG
REPUBLIC that included all islands from
Luzon to Mindanao.
• He wrote a Constitution where
TRAITORS were to be punished with
EXILE, IMPRISONMENT or DEATH.
• His republic was established
somewhere in the mountains of Rizal.
He issued military circulars to affirm the
formation of an organized army
(KABOHANS, AMILLEROS, COMPANIAS,
and BATALIONS).
• To maximize the ability of his army and
at the same time gain weapons for their
struggle, he bargained the rank in his
military. Ranks would be determined
according to the number of firearms
seized from the opponents:
• 1. Lieutenant 10-15 firearms
• 2. Captain 16-25 firearms
• 3. Major 26-36 firearms
• 4. Colonel 40-50 firearms
• Dominador Gomez, a Filipino who was
given authority by the American Gov.
Gen Henry Clay Ide to negotiate for the
surrender of Macario and his men
• Macario agreed to end his resistance on
the conditions that they will be granted
amnesty and will be allowed to carry
firearms and leave the country. He was
assured of these conditions through
Macario’s emissary Gen. Leon
Villafuerte.
• He believed that his struggle has shifted
to constitutional and legal means.
• He surrendered on July 20, 1906, went
down from the mountains, travelled to
Manila with Gen. Villafuerte and his
men. They were welcomed and invited
to a reception/feast. IT WAS A TRAP.
Macario and his men were disarmed
and arrested during the feast.
• He was put on trial, charged of
bandolerismo under the Brigandage Act
 of Nov. 12, 1902. Armed resistance is
considered BANDITRY.
• He was sentenced to death and hanged
on Sept. 13, 1907.
MIGUEL MALVAR
• He was born in Santo Tomas, Batangas
on Sept. 27, 1865
• Classmate of Apolinario Mabini but he
transferred to Bauan, Cavite; decided to
become a farmer and helped his more
studious brother, Potenciano in his
study of medicine in Spain.
• Miguel’s family were friends with the
family of Jose Rizal
• He was an original member of the
Katipunan; from a leader of a 70-man
army he became a military commander
of Batangas. He coordinated offensives
with Gen. Aguinaldo and Gen. Paciano
Rizal.
• He fought alongside with Gen. Edilberto
Evangelista at the Battle of Zapote
Bridge on Feb. 17, 1897. Gen.
Evangelista died and he succeeded the
generalship.
• He set up his own headquarters in
Indang, Cavite
• After the Tejeros Convention, he
decided to side with Andres Bonifacio.
Andres gave this group assistance in
their battles.
• Aguinaldo used his jurisdiction over
Batangas to force Malvar to side with
him and break ties with Andres. He was
also threatened with punishment.
• January 1902, Gen. Franklin Bell began
to practice burned earth tactics in
Batangas. This took a heavy toll on both
the guerilla forces and civilians.
• Miguel escaped American patrols
through disguises. But the Americans
released an exact description of his
physical features.
• Due to the desertion of his top officers
and to end the sufferings of his
countrymen, he surrendered to Gen.
Bell on April 13, 1902.
• He was offered positions but he
refused; he died on Oct. 13, 1911 in
Manila
SCHURMAN COMMISSION-1st Philippine
Commission
• US Pres. William McKinley appointed
Dr. Jacob Gould Schurman on Jan. 20,
1899, to chair/head a commission with
Dean Worcester, Charles Denby,
Admiral Dewey, and Gen. Otis as
members.
• They were to investigate in the
Philippines and make
recommendations. Gen. Otis looked
upon the commission as a violation of
his authority in the Philippines.
• Pres. McKinley removed Spanish and
ordered the use of Philippine languages
as well as English for instructional
purposes.
• Findings of Colonel Charles McReeve,
commander of the 13t Minnesota
Volunteer Infantry: “the war was awful,
unjustifiable and contrary to American
principles. The misunderstanding could
have been suppressed if peace making
resolutions were passed and
implemented.”
• Colonel Manuel Arguelles,
representative of Aguinaldo, persuaded
the Schurman Commission that Filipinos
would like to know what specific roles
will they be allowed in the new
government.
• Pres. McKinley authorized a
government that consists of:
1. a Gov. Gen. appointed by the US
President
2. a cabinet appointed by the Gov. Gen.
3. a general advisory council elected by
the people
• He also promised the largest measure
of local self-government consistent with
peace and good order. But he warned
that the US Congress would need to
make specific rules and regulations.
• Aguinaldo convened his revolutionary
congress; asked for a ceasefire and
 accepted the peace proposal of
McKinley; was convinced upon the
advice of Pedro Paterno and Felipe
Buencamino.
• Aguinaldo made changes in his cabinet,
replacing Mabini as head. Paterno was
his replacement. Aguinaldo created a
delegation to
• Gen. Antonio Luna disliked what
happened and ordered the arrest of
Pedro Paterno and most of his cabinet.
Aguinaldo realized this and withdrew
his support to the peace cabinet.
Mabini was once again appointed as
head of his cabinet.
• Dr. Jacob Schurman reported the failure
of their plan; McKinley informed
Schurman that he wanted peace
preferably by kindness and
pacification.” But this was
supplemented by a threat that forces
will be sent to suppress the rebellion if
resistance continued.
• The report of Dr. Jacob Gould Schurman
and the other commissioners contains
that:
• Filipino aspirations for independence is
acknowledged, however, the Filipinos
were not ready for independence.
• It was recommended that civilian
control over Manila be established
especially in areas declared as
“pacified.” This includes the
establishment of a bicameral
legislature, autonomous provincial and
municipal governments, and a system
of free public elementary schools.
TAFT COMMISSION – 2nd Philippine Commission
• Pres. McKinley appointed the 2nd
Philippine Commission, headed by
William Howard Taft on March 15,
1900.
• Taft was granted legislative and limited
executive powers. The Taft Commission
established a civil service, a judicial
system that included a Supreme Court,
and to replace obsolete Spanish
ordinances, a legal code was drawn up.
• Philippine Organic Act approved Pres.
McKinley’s executive order. A
legislature composed ofa popularly
elected lower house (the Philippine
Assembly) and an upper house (the
Philippine Commission).
• On July 2, 1902, a telegraph was sent by
the US Secretary of War due to the end
of the insurrection against the US
government; provincial governments
have been established all over the
archipelago; and that the office of the
military governor has been terminated.
• Pres. McKinley was assassinated;
replaced by Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt proclaimed full and complete
amnesty to all; declared July 4 as the
end of the Philippine-American War.
TAFT ADMINISTRATION- 1901 to 1935
• William H. Taft became the first
American civilian governor in the
Philippines. The civil administration was
called the Insular Government. He
made reforms by uplifting ad
developing Filipinos to be more
civilized.
• He was a federal circuit judge before he
went to the Philippines. He was one
among those who opposed annexation
of colonies.
• His administration promulgated 157
laws, majority were on Local
Government and Reorganization of
Government Agencies
TAFT ADMINISTRATION- Land Reform
• Philippine Bill of 1902 was issued; set
the ceiling (maximum) on the hectares
of land that private individuals (16
hectares) and corporations (1024
hectares)may acquire
• Land Registration Act of 1902 –
provided for a comprehensive
registration of land titles under the
Torrens system. The Torrens system is a
land registration invented by Sir Robert
Torrens in which the government is the
keeper of all land and title records; a
land title serves as a certificate of full
 and valid ownership. This did not solve
the problem due to either ignorance of
the law or the survey cost and other
fees that they could not pay for.
• TAFT ADMINISTRATION- Still on
Reforms Public Land Act 0f 1903 –
introduced the farm system
• Tenancy Act of 1933 – regulated
relationships between landowners and
tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and
sugar cane lands
• In relation to the Philippine Organic Act
of 1902, the American government
bought the friar lands in various places
so these could be sold in small holdings
to the present tenants. Gov. Taft had to
travel to Rome and meet Pope Leo XIII
to propose to buy the friar lands. He
was not given an immediate response.
• Pope Leo XIII extended his support for
the American Reconciliation Program
when, on Nov. 18, 1902, Papal
representative Jean Baptiste Guidi
arrived in Manila to negotiate the sale
of the lands. A total of 166,000 hectares
were bought in the amount of
$7,239,784.66 by the Insular
Government of Taft. The lands were
resold to Filipino tenants but majority
to the estate owners. This was the first
program of modern land reform in the
country.
TAFT ADMINISTRATION- Other Reforms
• Civil Service Act – Act. No. 5; first major
legislation passed on Sept. 19, 1900.
This act allowed the increase of the
number of Filipinos and Americans
applying to serve the government.
• Education Act of 1901 – Act. No. 74,
established the Department of Public
Instruction. Primary education is free of
charge and open to all Filipinos. It also
reduced the student-teacher ratio (it
was 4,179:1) by importing 1000
teachers from the US. They were known
as the Thomasites.
THE BALANGIGA MASSACRE
• Balangiga is a place in Eastern Samar
where an incident happened between
Filipino militants and the 9th US Infantry
Regiment.
• At the Company C, while having
breakfast, American soldiers got
confused when the bell of the Balangiga
Church was sounded. It was a signal for
the Filipino militants to attack. 48
members of the infantry and 25
Filipinos were killed in the attack.
• Filipino militants took the rifles and
ammunitions of the infantry.
• Gen. Jacob Smith retaliated, ordered all
Filipino males above 10 years of age;
capable of bearing guns, be shot.
• The church was also burned and they
robbed the three church bells, brought
them to America as their war trophy.
• Gen. Smith and Major Littleton Waller
were court-martialed for illegal
vengeance. Major Waller was acquitted
but Gen. Smith was found guilty,
cautioned and retired from service. But
charges, later on, were dropped and he
was hailed a war hero.
RETRIEVING THE BALANGIGA BELLS
• Fidel V. Ramos initiated the efforts to
recover the bells from Clinton’s
administration. But US government
claims that they are US property. An Act
of Congress is needed.
• In 2002, Senate Resolution 393,
authored by the late Aquilino Pimentel
Jr, urged Pres. Arroyo to undertake
formal negotiations with the US.
• In 2005, the Bishop of Samar wrote an
open letter to Pres. Bush, US Congress,
and the Helsinki Commission,
requesting them to facilitate the return
of the bells.
• The Wyoming Veterans Commission
favored the return but was opposed by
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
• On Jan. 13, 2005, US Congressman Bob
Filner introduced House Resolution 313,
urging the president to authorize the
 transfer of ownership of one of the
bells
• Sept. 26, 2006–another resolution
urged the US president to return the
bells but the resolution died on Jan. 3,
2009
• Oct. 25, 2007:Sen. Manny Villar filed
Resolution No. 177
• In 2013-town people of Balangiga asked
US soldiers who were giving relief then
to return the bells
• July 24, 2017-Pres. Duterte, in his
SONA, demanded the return of the bells
THE PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT
 The Philippine Commonwealth
Government was a 10-year transitional
period in the country from 1935-1945.
The transition period was in
preparation for the independence from
the US.
 It was a realization of the efforts to
manage their own country and plan the
destiny of their own people.
 Among its provisions was the election in
1934 of a Constitutional Convention.
The task of this is to draft the
constitution. CLARO M. RECTO presided
over 202 elected Filipino delegates who
decided that the constitution would
cover not only the transitional
Commonwealth but the entire Republic
as well.
 The convention was able to finish its
work on Feb. 8, 1935; submitted it to
the US President for certification (its
provisions must comply with the
Philippine Independence Act).
 On March 25, 1935 it was certified and
ratified by the Filipino people on May
14, 1935.
 Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña
took their oath on Nov. 15, 1935, the
inauguration of the Philippine
Commonwealth.
 The primary concerns of the transition
period were National Security and
Defense, Social Justice, Education,
Language, and Economic Development.
MANUEL LUIS QUEZON
 Born on August 19, 1878, a statesman,
soldier, and politician. He was the first
Filipino to head a government of the
entire Philippines.
 Considered to be the second president
of the Philippines after Emilio
Aguinaldo.
 Became a governor of Tayabas province
before being elected representative in
the Philippine Assembly in 1907
 Was appointed Resident Commissioner
in 1909; fought for a speedy grant of
independence by the US
 Died on August 1, 1944
HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
 Reorganization of the government:
created offices like the Dept. of
National Defense, Institute of National
Language, and National Council of
Education
 Filipinization of the judiciary- from
Supreme Court to municipal courts
 Granting of women suffrage
 Creation of new chartered cities-Cebu,
Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Zamboanga, San
Pablo, Quezon City, Cavite, and
Tagaytay
 Adoption of a national language,
TAGALOG
 Promotion of social justice (Eight Hour
Labor Act and appointment of public
defenders)
 Compulsory military training of able-
bodied youths
 1939 Official Census of the Philippines
 Improvement of the economy:
Agriculture, Commerce, Industries
 Passing of three amendments of the
1935 Constitution
SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIONS ENACTED
 1935 CONSTITUTION – promotion of
social justice to ensure the well-being
and economic security of all people
should be the concern of the State
  Commonwealth Act No. 178 – provided
for certain control in the landlord-
tenant relationships
 National Rice and Corn Corporation
(NARIC), 1936 – established the price of
rice and corn thereby help the poor
tenants and consumers
 Commonwealth Act No. 461, 1937 –
Specified reasons for the dismissal of
tenants and only upon the approval of
the Tenancy Division of the DOJ.
 Rural Program Administration – created
on March 2, 1939 which provided the
purchase and lease of haciendas and
their sale and lease to tenants
 Commonwealth Act No. 441 – created
the National Settlement Administration
with a capital stock of P20,000,000
CLARO M. RECTO
 Born in Tiaong on Feb. 8, 1890
 He was a statesman and leader of the
FILIPINO-FIRST movement
 Attacked US neo-colonialism in the
Philippines
 A laywer who graduated from UST in
1913
 Was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1919; served for
three terms as a minority floor leader
 Became a Senator in 1931; switched
allegiance to the Nacionalista Party
 Was a member of the Quezon led
mission to Washington
 Appointed as president of the
Constitutional Convention
THE SECOND COMMONWEALTH
 The sad news of Manuel L. Quezon
passing away in New York on August 1
reached the Philippines in the midst of
the Filipino-American War
 Sergio Osmeña took his oath of office as
President of the Philippine
Commonwealth to Justice Robert
Jackson of the US Supreme Court in the
office of Secretary Harold Ickes,
Department of Interior, Washington,
D.C.
SERGIO OSMEÑA
 \ Born on Sept. 9, 1878; served as the
third president of the Philippines from
1944 to 1946
 First became governor of Cebu in 1906
 Became member and Speaker of the
House of Representative from 1907
to1922
 Served as Senator and as Senate Pro-
Tempore before he won vice president
 Before, he was the oldest to hold the
office of the President (65 years old)
 First Visayan to become the President
of the Philippines
 Died on October 19, 1961
PREPARATION FOR THE PHILIPPINE
COMMONWEALTH
PHILIPPINE ORGANIC ACT of 1902 – COOPER
ACT
 The COOPER ACT or the Philippine
Organic Act of 1902 – It is also known as
the Philippine Bill of 1902. The following
conditions were met:
 Cessation(End) of the existing
insurrection in the country
 Completion and publication of a
census
 Two years of continued peace
and recognition of the authority
of the USA after the publication
of the census
 Legislative Power In the Bicameral
Legislature- Philippine Commission and
Philippine Assembly
 Bureau of Insular Affairs of the
Department of War- assigned the
supervision of the islands
CENSUS IN THE PHILIPPINES
 The first census was in 1591; based on
the tribute collected. This generated
around 666,712 people in the islands.
 In 1799, population was estimated at
1,502,574.
 The first official census was done by the
Spanish government as per a royal
decree calling for the counting of
persons still living as of December 31,
1877. The count recorded was -----------.
  The US military forces conducted their
first census in 1903 to fulfill Public Act
467. A total of 7,635,426 were recorded
as inhabitants of the islands
JONES LAW
 Authored by Congressman William
Jones; also known as the Philippine
Autonomy Act of 1916
 Replaced the Philippine Organic Act but
it is another organic act passed by the
US Congress that acted as a constitution
of the Philippines from its enactment
 Created the first fully elected Philippine
legislature; it was a framework for a
more autonomous government but
with certain privileges reserved to the
US to protect its sovereign rights, in
preparation for the grant of
independence by the US.
 Changed the legislature into a more
autonomous one. Elections were held
on Oct. 3, 1916 to the Philippine
Senate. Elections in the Assembly had
been done on June 6, 1916, elected
officially become members of the
House of Representatives.
HARE-HAWES CUTTING LAW
 This was enacted on January 17, 1933.
The first US law that passed a set of
process and a date for the country to
gain independence from the US
government.
 It was authored by Butler Hare, Senator
Harry Bartow Hawes and Senator
Bronson Cutting. It was passed in
December 1932 but was vetoed by US
Pres. Hoover. Congress overrode the
veto on Jan. 17.
 This was a result of Sergio Osmeña and
Manuel Roxas’ mission (OSROX Mission)
to the US. The law stated the following
 Independence will be given
after 10 years
 Several military and naval bases
will be established by the US
 Tariffs and quotas will be
imposed on Philippine imports
RESIDENT COMMISSIONERS
 BENITO LEGARDA and PABLO OCAMPO
were the first two Filipino Resident
Commissioners sent to Washington,
D.C.
 Others who became Resident
Commissioners were Manuel Quezon,
Jaime de Veyra, Teodoro Yangco, Isaro
Gabaldon, and Camilo Osias.
 They were entitled to speak but
prohibited to vote.
TYDINGS-McDUFFIE LAW
 The Philippine Independence Act was
enacted on March 24, 1934; authored
by 2 Democrats- Senator Millard
Tydings and Rep. John McDuffie and
signed by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt. It
mandated the following:
 Recognition of Philippine independence
as a separate and self-governing nation
after the 10-year transition period
 Reclassified all Filipinos; including those
who were living in the US as aliens;
quota of 50 immigrants per year was
established
 Filipinos can be classified as US citizens,
naturalization rights were granted
 1935 Constitution was drafted and
became law, establishing the
Commonwealth with an elected
executive, the President of the
Philippines
1935 Philippine Election for the Commonwealth
Government
 A Philippine general election in 1935
was the first general election of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines
 Also the first direct election of the
President and Vice-President of the
Philippines; these were positions
created in accordance to the 1935
Constitution
 Members of the National Assembly of
the Philippines were elected. The
Assembly replaced the Philippine
Legislature
NACIONALISTA PARTY
  Had a dilemma as to who would be the
party’s standard bearer for the
Presidency and Vice Presidency
 Manuel L. Quezon was the Senate
President from Tayabas and Sergio
Osmeña was the Senate Pro-Tempore
from Cebu
 On June 15, 1935, the party named
Manuel Quezon as their candidate for
presidency while Sergio Osmeña was
for the vice presidency. Osmeña
accepted the party’s decision
 Gen. Aguinaldo founded this party in
1934. Aguinaldo announced his
candidacy for president on June 2, 1935
with Raymundo Melliza, a former
governor of Iloilo, as his running mate.
 Their candidacy was supported by
Veteranos de la Revolucion, which was
formed during Gov. Gen. Leonard
Wood’s administration.
REPUBLICAN PARTY
 Bishop Gregorio Aglipay announced his
candidacy for Presidency on June 19,
1935. He revived this party only
because he wanted to run for
president.
 This political party was organized since
1904 but collapsed in 1907.
 His running mate was Roberto Nabong
from Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
 Pascual Racuyal, a mechanic, was a
weird aspirant for the presidency.
 There were questions as to his mental
stability.
 He promised to construct roads out of
plastic to prevent deterioration.
 In the 1953 election, he invited Arsenio
Lacson, Manila Mayor, to be his running
mate.
 He also filed his candidacy in 1986 but
was disqualified, declaring him a
nuisance candidate.
RESULTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
FOR PRESIDENT FOR VICE PRESIDENT