The New Philippine Constitution

Abstract

ON MAY i4th, 1935, the Philippine electorate in a plebiscite held for the purpose accepted the new Constitution prepared by a popularly elected Constitutional Convention. The total number of electors in favor was i,213,934, or 96.6 per cent, against 42,690, or 3.4 per cent, in opposition. The favorable vote could not have been more overwhelming. That plebiscite was a decisive step in the series of acts provided for by Public Act No. 127 of the Congress of the United States, approved March 24th, 1934, looking to the granting of Philippine independence after a transition period of ten years under a Commonwealth Government. The life history of the Convention dates from July ioth, 1934, when 202 delegates were elected by the qualified voters. On July 30th the Convention was opened and Senator Claro M. Recto elected as President. The organization of committees and the general discussion of constitutional trends and problems was followed by the appointment, on October 9th, of a special committee of seven to draft a Constitution. The final draft prepared by it was submitted on October 20th. On January 31st, 1935, the Convention approved the draft as amended in open sessions; a special committee on style completed the revision, and on February 8th the Convention approved the final draft, which was signed by the members on February i9th. On March 23rd, President Roosevelt certified that the Constitution conformed substantially with the Independence Law, and it was expected that, after the election of constitutional officers in due course, the new Commonwealth of the Philippines would be inaugurated on November i5th. The salient features of the new Philippine Constitution may be described as follows: It is among the shortest constitutions prepared in modern times, consisting of 17 articles and an ordinance covering the provisions