The document discusses the history of American governance in the Philippines from 1898 to 1935. It describes how the US established military rule after defeating Spain in 1898, with three successive military governors, before inaugurating civilian rule in 1901 headed by a civil governor. In 1905, the title was changed to Governor-General, who had legislative powers. The document then outlines the establishment of the Philippine Commission and Assembly as the legislature, as well as representation in the US Congress, before discussing the transition to a self-governing Commonwealth in 1935 in the lead up to full independence in 1946.

2. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• ON APRIL 14, 1898 THE AMERICAN MILITARY RULE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
• THE THREE AMERICAN MILITARY GOVERNORS WERE: GEN. WESLEY MERITT, GE. ELWELL OTIS
AND THE LAST WAS GEN. ARTHUR MCARTHUR.
• ON JULY 4, 1901, A CIVIL GOVERNMENT WAS INAUGURATED HEADED BY A CIVIL GOVERNOR.
• ON FEBRUARY 6, 1905, THE TITLE WAS CHANGED TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL WHO EXERCISED
LEGISLATIVE POWERS.

3. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ACTED AS THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WITH
THE PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY SERVING AS THE LOWER HOUSE.
• IN 1916, WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE JONES LAW, THE TWO BODIES GAVE WAY TO THE
PHILIPPINE LEGISLATURE.
• THE PHILIPPINES WAS REPRESENTED IN THE UNITED STATES BY TWO RESIDENT COMMISSIONERS
WHO WERE ELECTED BY THE PHILIPPINE LEGISLATURE.

4. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• THE FIRST CIVIL GOVERNOR WAS JUDGE WILLIAM H. TAFT (1901-1903). FOLLOWED BY LUKE F.
WRIGHT (1904- 1906) WHO WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN TO ENJOY THE TITLE OF GOVERNOR-
GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES.
• THE LAST GOVERNOR-GENERAL WAS FRANK MURPHY (1933-1935) WHO WAS ALSO THE FIRST
HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE PHILIPPINES UPON THE INAUGURATION
OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

5. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES WAS PURSUANT TO AN ACT OF THE
UNITED STATES CONGRESS ON MARCH 24, 1934, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE TYDINGS-
MCDUFFIE LAW.
• THE LAW PROVIDED FOR A TRANSITION PERIOD OF TEN YEARS DURING WHICH THE PHILIPPINE
COMMONWEALTH WOULD OPERATE UNTIL JULY 4, 1946, WHEREIN THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE
PHILIPPINES WOULD BE PROCLAIMED AND ESTABLISHED.

6. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES WAS INAUGURATED ON NOVEMBER 15, 1935
FOLLOWING THE FIRST NATIONAL ELECTION UNDER THE 1935 CONSTITUTION HELD ON
SEPTEMBER 12, 1935 WITH MANUEL L. QUEZON AND SERGIO OSMENA AS PRESIDENT AND VICE
PRESIDENT RESPECTIVELY.
• THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH WAS AUTONOMOUS IN NATURE.

7. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
• THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT WAS PUT TO EXILE IN WASHINGTON FROM MAY 13 1942
TO OCTOBER 3 1944. IT WAS REESTABLISHED IN MANILA ON FEBRUARY 27, 1945 WHEN
DOUGLAS MCARTHUR TURNED OVER TO PRESIDENT OSMENA THE FULL POWERS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT UNDER THE 1935 CONSTITUTION.

8. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
• ON JANUARY 3, 1942 THE JAPANESE MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR WAS ESTABLISHED IN MANILA.
• A CIVIL GOVERNMENT KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED
WITH JORGE B. VARGAS AS ITS CHAIRMAN.
• ON OCTOBER 14, 1943, THE SO-CALLED JAPANESE SPONSORED REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
WAS INAUGURATED WITH JOSE P. LAUREL AS PRESIDENT.
• ON AUGUST 17, 1945, PRESIDENT LAUREL DISSOLVED THE REPUBLIC.

9. THIRD PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
• ON JULY 4, 1946, THE THIRD PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC WAS INAUGURATED WHEN THE PHILIPPINES
WAS FINALLY LIBERATED FROM THE HANDS OF THE JAPANESE.
• MANUEL A. ROXAS ACTED AS THE PRESIDENT AND ELPIDIO QUIRINO AS VICE PRESIDENT.
• ON APRI16, 1948 ROXAS DIED PAVING THE WAY FOR THE QUIRINO PRESIDENCY WHICH LASTED
UNTIL 1953.

10. THIRD PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
• QUIRINO WAS FOLLOWED BY RAMON MAGSAYSAY WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO FINISH HIS TERM
WHEN HE DIED IN A PLANE CRASH ON MARCH 17, 1957.
• CARLOS P. GARCIA FOLLOWED MAGSAYSAY.
• GARCIA WAS FOLLOWED BY DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL WHO SERVED THE COUNTRY FOR ONLY
ONE TERM.
• MACAPAGAL WAS DEFEATED BY FERDINAND MARCOS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1965.

12. CONSTITUTION
• WRITTEN INSTRUMENT BY WHICH THE FUNDAMENTAL POWERS OF GOVERNMENT ARE
ESTABLISHED, LIMITED AND DEFINED, AND BY WHICH THE POWERS ARE DISTRIBUTED AMONG
SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR SAFE AND USEFUL EXERCISE FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE
BODY POLITICS.

13. TYPES OF CONSTITUTION:
• WRITTEN CONSTITUTION – PROVISIONS ARE ALL CONTAINED IN A SINGLE DOCUMENT.
• UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION – PROVISIONS ARE NOT CONTAINED IN A SINGLE DOCUMENT BUT
RATHER IN DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE FUNDAMENTAL
LAW OF THE LAND

14. TYPES OF CONSTITUTION:
• CONVENTIONAL OR ENACTED CONSTITUTION – FORMULATED BY A CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION THAT IS CALLED TO DRAFT THE CONSTITUTION
• CUMULATIVE OR EVOLVED CONSTITUTION – NOT DRAFTED BY A POSITIVE ACT OF THE STATE
BUT IT DEVELOPED AS A PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE NATION

15. TYPES OF CONSTITUTION:
• RIGID OR INELASTIC CONSTITUTION – CANNOT BE EASILY AMENDED UNLESS SUCH AMENDMENT
IS PROVIDED FOR BY THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF
• FLEXIBLE OR ELASTIC CONSTITUTION – CAN BE EASILY CHANGED ANYTIME

16. PARTS OF A CONSTITUTION:
• CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT – REFERS TO THOSE PROVISIONS WHICH SET UP THE
GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE SPECIFICALLY ARTICLES VI, VII, VIII, IX AND X OF THE 1987
CONSTITUTION

17. PARTS OF A CONSTITUTION:
• CONSTITUTION OF LIBERTY – PROVISIONS WHICH GUARANTEE INDIVIDUAL FUNDAMENTAL
LIBERTIES AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL ABUSE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN ARTICLES III, IV, V, XII,
XIII, XIV AND XV OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

18. PARTS OF A CONSTITUTION:
• CONSTITUTION OF SOVEREIGNTY – REFERS TO THE PROVISIONS WHICH OUTLINE THE PROCESS
WHEREBY THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE MAY CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. PROVIDED IN ARTICLES
XVII AND II SECTION 1 OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION.

19. FORMER CONSTITUTIONS OF THE
PHILIPPINES:
• THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION: APPROVED BY THE MALOLOS CONGRESS ON NOVEMBER
29, 1898, DRAFT RETURNED BY PRESIDENT AGUINALDO ON DECEMBER 1, 1898 FOR
AMENDMENTS, WHICH THE CONGRESS REFUSED; APPROVED BY PRESIDENT AGUINALDO ON
DECEMBER 23, 1898; FORMALLY ADOPTED BY THE MALOLOS CONGRESS ON JANUARY 20, 1899,
PROMULGATED BY PRESIDENT EMILIO AGUINALDO ON JANUARY 21, 1899.

20. FORMER CONSTITUTIONS OF THE
PHILIPPINES:
• THE PHILIPPINE ORGANIC ACT OF 1902: ENACTED INTO LAW BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
ON JULY 1, 1902
• THE JONES LAW OF 1916: ENACTED INTO LAW BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS ON AUGUST
29, 1916.
• THE 1935 CONSTITUTION: AS APPROVED BY THE 1934 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ON
FEBRUARY 8, 1935, CERTIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON MARCH 25, 1935,
AND RATIFIED BY PLEBISCITE ON MAY 14, 1935.

21. FORMER CONSTITUTIONS OF THE
PHILIPPINES:
• THE 1935 CONSTITUTION: AS AMENDED ON JUNE 18, 1940, AND ON MARCH 11, 1947.
• THE 1943 CONSTITUTION: AS APPROVED BY THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE ON PHILIPPINE
INDEPENDENCE, SEPTEMBER 4, 1943 AND RATIFIED BY THE KALIBAPI CONVENTION, SEPTEMBER
7, 1943.

22. FORMER CONSTITUTIONS OF THE
PHILIPPINES:
• THE 1973 CONSTITUTION: AS AMENDED IN OCTOBER 16-17, 1976, ON JANUARY 30, 1980, AND
APRIL 7, 1981.
• THE 1973 CONSTITUTION: DRAFT PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT MARCOS BY THE 1971
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ON DECEMBER 1, 1972; DEEMED RATIFIED BY CITIZENS’
ASSEMBLIES HELD FROM JANUARY 10 TO 15, 1973, PROCLAIMED IN FORCE BY PROCLAMATION
BY PRESIDENT MARCOS, JANUARY 17, 1973.
• THE 1986 FREEDOM CONSTITUTION: PROMULGATED BY PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION, MARCH
25, 1986.

23. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT (THE 1987
CONSTITUTION)
• RECOGNITION OF THE AID OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD
• SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE
• RENUNCIATION OF WAR AS AN INSTRUMENT OF NATIONAL POLICY.
• SUPREMACY OF CIVILIAN AUTHORITY OVER THE MILITARY

24. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT (THE 1987
CONSTITUTION)
• SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
• RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY AS A BASIC SOCIAL INSTITUTION AND OF
THE VITAL ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN NATION BUILDING
• GUARANTEE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
• GOVERNMENT THROUGH SUFFRAGE

25. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT (THE 1987
CONSTITUTION)
• SEPARATION OF POWERS
• INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
• GUARANTEE OF LOCAL AUTONOMY
• HIGH SENSE OF PUBLIC SERVICE MORALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

26. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT (THE 1987
CONSTITUTION)
• NATIONALIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CERTAIN PRIVATE ENTERPRISES AFFECTED
WITH PUBLIC INTEREST
• NON-SUITABILITY OF THE STATE
• RULE OF THE MAJORITY
• GOVERNMENT OF LAWS AND NOT OF MEN

29. HOW THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT IS
ORGANIZED
• THE PHILIPPINES IS A REPUBLIC WITH A PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT DIVIDED INTO
THREE BRANCHES: EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL.

30. THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
• THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH CARRIES OUT AND ENFORCES LAWS.
• IT INCLUDES THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, THE CABINET, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, INDEPENDENT AGENCIES,
AND OTHER BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES.

31. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PRESIDENT
• THE PRESIDENT LEADS THE COUNTRY. HE/SHE IS THE HEAD OF STATE, LEADER OF THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT, AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF ALL ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.
• THE PRESIDENT SERVES A SIX-YEAR TERM AND CANNOT BE RE-ELECTED PURSUANT TO THE 1987
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION. HIS TERMS START ON THE 30TH DAY OF JUNE AFTER ELECTION.

32. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.
• SUBMIT FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUCH MATTERS, POLICIES AND
MEASURES HE RECOMMENDS AS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES AND PROVISIONS
OF THIS DECREE;
• EXECUTE AND ADMINISTER THE POLICIES, MEASURES AND DIRECTIVES APPROVED BY THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS;

33. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.
• DIRECT AND SUPERVISE THE OPERATIONS AND INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE
CORPORATION;
• DELEGATE ANY ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION AS
HE MAY DEEM PROPER AND NECESSARY;
• EXERCISE SUCH OTHER POWERS AS MAY BE VESTED IN HIM BY THE BOARD.

34. VICE PRESIDENT
• THE VICE PRESIDENT SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT AND IF THE PRESIDENT IS UNABLE TO SERVE,
THE VICE PRESIDENT BECOMES PRESIDENT. HE/SHE SERVES A SIX-YEAR TERM.

35. THE CABINET
• CABINET MEMBERS SERVE AS ADVISORS TO THE PRESIDENT. THEY INCLUDE THE VICE PRESIDENT
AND THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. CABINET MEMBERS ARE NOMINATED BY THE
PRESIDENT AND MUST BE CONFIRMED BY THE COMMISSION OF APPOINTMENTS.

36. EACH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT CAN CHANGE ACTS
OF THE OTHER BRANCHES AS FOLLOWS:
• THE PRESIDENT CAN VETO LAWS PASSED BY CONGRESS.
• CONGRESS CONFIRMS OR REJECTS THE PRESIDENT'S APPOINTMENTS AND CAN REMOVE THE
PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
• THE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, WHO CAN OVERTURN UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWS, ARE
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

37. THE LEGISLATIVE
• THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE LAWS, ALTER, AND REPEAL THEM THROUGH
THE POWER VESTED IN THE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS. THIS INSTITUTION IS DIVIDED INTO THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

38. THE LEGISLATIVE
• THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ENACTS LEGISLATION, CONFIRMS OR REJECTS PRESIDENTIAL
APPOINTMENTS, AND HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DECLARE WAR. THIS BRANCH INCLUDES
CONGRESS (THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) AND SEVERAL AGENCIES THAT
PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO CONGRESS.

39. THE LEGISLATIVE
• SENATE – THE SENATE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF TWENTY-FOUR SENATORS WHO SHALL BE
ELECTED AT LARGE BY THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY
LAW.

40. THE LEGISLATIVE
• HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE COMPOSED OF NOT
MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MEMBERS, UNLESS OTHERWISE FIXED BY LAW.

41. JUDICIAL BRANCH
• THE JUDICIAL BRANCH EVALUATES LAWS. IT HOLDS THE POWER TO SETTLE CONTROVERSIES
INVOLVING RIGHTS THAT ARE LEGALLY DEMANDABLE AND ENFORCEABLE. THIS BRANCH
DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT THERE HAS BEEN A GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION AMOUNTING
TO LACK OR EXCESS OF JURISDICTION ON THE PART AND INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE
GOVERNMENT. IT IS MADE UP OF A SUPREME COURT AND LOWER COURTS.

42. JUDICIAL BRANCH
• JUDICIAL POWER INCLUDES THE DUTY OF THE COURTS OF JUSTICE TO SETTLE ACTUAL
CONTROVERSIES INVOLVING RIGHTS WHICH ARE LEGALLY DEMANDABLE AND ENFORCEABLE,
AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE HAS BEEN A GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION
AMOUNTING TO LACK OR EXCESS OF JURISDICTION ON THE PART OF ANY BRANCH OR
INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
• THE JUDICIAL BRANCH INTERPRETS THE MEANING OF LAWS, APPLIES LAWS TO INDIVIDUAL
CASES, AND DECIDES IF LAWS VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION.

43. JUDICIAL BRANCH
• THE JUDICIAL BRANCH INTERPRETS THE MEANING OF LAWS, APPLIES LAWS TO INDIVIDUAL
CASES, AND DECIDES IF LAWS VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION. THE JUDICIAL POWER SHALL BE
VESTED IN ONE SUPREME COURT AND IN SUCH LOWER COURTS AS MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY
LAW.