D4
THE PHILIPPINES
GOVERNMENT ..
ing for the complete independence of the Philippines Unit only called 'the
On March 24th, 1934 an Act of the Congress of the United States provid-
the
Tydings-McDuffie Act) came into force. Under this law the Philippine Legis- lature was authorised to arrange for the drafting of a Constitution, which, after approval by the President of the United States, was to be submitted to a plebiscite of the Filipino people. Thereafter an election of Officers of the new government was to be held, and, upon proclamation by the President of the United States, they were to take over the duties and functions of the existing government. The sovereignty of the United States was to continue until July 4th following the expiration of a period of ten years from the date of the in- auguration of the new government.
A Constitutional Convention was elected and on February 8th, 1935 adopted a Constitution, which in due course was approved by the President of the United States and accepted by the people, Elections were held on September 17th, 1935, when Mr. Manuel L. Quezon was elected President, and Mr. Sergio Osmena, Vice-President of the Philippines. At the same time were chosen the 98 members of the unicameral National Assembly which was to replace the existing bicameral Legislature. The inauguration of the Commonwealth Gov- ernment took place on November 15th, 1935 by proclamation of the President of the United States.
The Constitution provides for a republican form of government, and con- tains a Bill of Rights, setting forth certain fundamental safeguards of indivi- dual liberty, which show the influence of Anglo-Saxon ideas. Suffrage is ac- corded to all literate male and female citizens over 21 years of age. Legisla- tive power is vested in a National Assembly of not more than 120 members (initially 98) to be chosen every three years, by popular election. The heads of the executive departments are not members, but they may, either upon their own initiative or upon request by the Assembly, appear before and be heard by that body, on any matter pertaining to their departments. The executive power is vested in a President, chosen by direct election for a term of six years, who may not be re-elected for the following term. He has control of all the departments of the administration and appoints their heads with the con- sent of the Commission on Appointments of the
on Appointments of the National Assembly. He is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and possesses the power to grant re prieves and pardons.
and judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices, a Court of Appeals composed of the Presid- ing Justice and fourteen Associate Justices and in Courts of First Instance established in the various judicial districts.
The Tyding-McDuffie Act provides that during the Commonwealth period all citizens of the Philippines shall owe allegiance to the United States and all officers of the government shall make an oath of allegiance to the United States. During the same period foreign affairs are under the direct supervision and control of the United States, and acts of the National Assembly relating to currency, coinage, imports, exports and immigration must receive the approval of the President of the United States. The President of the United States is represented by a United States High Commissioner, who has access to all government records, and may obtain from the Chief Executive of the Philip- pines any information which he shall request. The Act provides for the inter- vention of the High Commissioner in the financial affairs of the country under certain circumstances, and directs that he shall make an annual report, and any other reports which may be required, to the President and Congress of the United States. Other duties and functions may be delegated to him, in accord- ance with the Act, by the President of the United States. The Philippine Government is empowered to appoint a Resident Commissioner to the United States, who shall have a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States, with the right of debate but without the right of voting.
3