Simone Lawson
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history, reflecting the country's evolving political landscape. The first constitution, known as the Constitución Provisional de la República de Filipinas, was drafted in 1897 during the Tejeros Convention, a revolutionary gathering that also witnessed the nation's first presidential and vice-presidential elections. This was followed by the 1935 Constitution, which was ratified by the Filipino people through a national plebiscite and remained in effect until the declaration of martial law in 1972. A significant amendment to the 1935 Constitution occurred in 1947, granting US citizens equal rights with Filipino citizens in developing natural resources and operating public utilities. During World War II, the Japanese-sponsored government nullified the 1935 Constitution and introduced the 1943 Constitution, which was used by the Second Republic under President Jose P. Laurel. The 1935 Constitution was reinstated in 1945, and the most recent constitution, the 1987 Constitution, is currently in effect.
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What You'll Learn
The 1935 Constitution
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history. The 1935 Constitution, also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, was written, approved, and adopted in 1934 by the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1946) and later used by the Third Republic (1946-1972). It was drafted to meet the requirements set out in the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which granted the Philippines independence after a 10-year transition period. The 1935 Constitution established the current presidential system of government in the Philippines and served as the legal basis for the Commonwealth Government, which was considered a transitional government before the country gained its independence.
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The 1943 Constitution
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history. During the period when the Philippines was a United States Territory, from 1898 to 1934, two acts of the United States Congress defined the fundamental political principles and established the structure of the Philippine government: the Philippine Organic Act of 1902 and an act in 1916 that provided for the creation of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The country also had a provisional constitution in 1897, and the current constitution was ratified in 1987. However, one of the most notable constitutions in the country's history is the 1943 Constitution.
Despite the official recognition of Laurel as a former president during the Macapagal administration, the 1943 Constitution was not taught in schools, and the laws of the 1943-1944 National Assembly were never recognised as valid.
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The 1947 Amendment
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history. The country was a United States Territory from 1898 to 1934 and so fell under the jurisdiction of the US Federal Government. Two acts passed by the US Congress during this time are considered to be Philippine constitutions: the Philippine Organic Act of 1902 (also known as the "Philippine Bill of 1902" or the "Cooper Act") and an act passed in 1935. The Philippines also had a Provisional Constitution in 1897, which was drafted by Isabelo Artacho and Félix Ferrer and was based on the first Cuban Constitution. It was written in Spanish and Tagalog.
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The 1987 Constitution
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history. The country was a United States Territory from 1898 to 1934, during which time two acts of the US Congress defined the fundamental political principles and structure of the Philippine government. These can be considered the country's first constitutions. The Philippine Organic Act of 1902, or the Cooper Act, was the country's first organic law enacted by the US Congress.
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The US Congress Acts
The Philippines has had several constitutions throughout its history, and two acts of the US Congress during the period when the Philippines was a US territory can be considered Philippine constitutions.
The first of these is the Philippine Organic Act of 1902, also known as the "Philippine Bill of 1902" or the "Cooper Act". This act was the first organic law for the Philippine Islands enacted by the US Congress. It provided for a popularly elected Philippine Assembly and a bicameral legislature composed of the Philippine Commission (upper house) and the Philippine Assembly (lower house).
The second is the Philippine Independence Act of 1934, which set the parameters for the creation of a constitution for the Philippines. This act mandated the Philippine Legislature to call for an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention to draft a constitution for the Philippines. The 1934 Constitutional Convention finished its work on February 8, 1935, and the resulting constitution was submitted to the US President for certification on March 25, 1935. It was ratified by the Filipino people through a national plebiscite on May 14, 1935, and came into full force and effect on November 15, 1935, with the inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
The 1935 Constitution was amended in 1940 to provide for a bicameral legislature, and it remained in effect until the Japanese-sponsored government nullified it during World War II. The 1935 Constitution was reinstated upon the liberation of the Philippines in 1945 but was amended again in 1947 through Commonwealth Act No. 733.
Prior to these, the Philippines also had a provisional constitution in 1897, known as the "Constitución Provisional de la República de Filipinas", which established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several constitutions in the history of the Philippines. The most notable ones are the 1935 Constitution, the 1943 Constitution, and the 1987 Constitution, which is the most recent and currently in force.
The 1935 Constitution was the first official constitution of the Philippines, ratified by the Filipino people through a national plebiscite on May 14, 1935. It provided for a bicameral legislature composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with the President and Vice President elected to a four-year term with one re-election.
The 1943 Constitution was enacted during World War II by the Japanese-sponsored government, which nullified the 1935 Constitution. The 1943 Constitution was used by the Second Republic with Jose P. Laurel as President. Upon the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, the 1935 Constitution was reinstated.
