The Commonwealth Period

Reporter: Noelene Dacee A. Delos Reyes

Chapter 12

The Commonwealth Period

Economic Condition of the Philippines

during Commonwealth Period

- In 1940, the creation of a dictionary and grammar book for the language was authorized by the Commonwealth.

The most important sector:

• Agriculture

Agricultural Products:

• Rice, coconut, sugar, abaca and tobacco

Source of Employment:

• 65% of the labor force

Source of National Income:

• 40% of the national income

Income from Exports:

• 75% from the value of exports

Major Import and Export Partner:

• United States of America

- Commonwealth Act 570 was passed, declaring Tagalog as the official language of the Philippines effective upon the declaration of the Philippine Independence.

- In 1971, the official language became 'Filipino'.

American Influences to the

Filipinos

Pre-Commonwealth Government

• Religious Freedom
• System of Public Education
• Higher Education
• English
• Advance System on Public Health and Sanitation
• Trading System, Commerce and Industries
• Government Affairs through Free and Open Elections

Lingua Franca

- Claro M. Recto, one of the 4 Democratas, elected to the House in 1919.

- 1936, The Commonwealth created a Surian ng Wikang Pambansa(National Language Institute).

- 1937, Tagalog was selected as the basis for the "national language" to be called "Pilipino".

- The Nacionalistas won 78 out of 82 seats.

The party leaders participated in a collaborative leadership with the United States.

- Manuel L. Quezon had decided to separate from Sergio Osmeña on the issue of personal leadership.

- 3 candidates for speakership:

+ Claro Recto (Democrats)

+ Manuel Roxas (Colectivistas)

+ Mariano Cuenco (Unipersonalistas)

- In 1919, government expenditures exceeded income - P7,000,000.

A year after, the Philippine National Bank lost P38,000,000.

The Fairfield Bill

Thank You for Listening! xD

- A compromise measure which provided for a long transition period and many reservations of power for the United States.

- General McIntyre claimed to be the creator of this bill.

- Its main supporters are the American businessmen who have their investments in the country.

The Commonwealth Period

Terms

Department of Education

- Rafael Palma – appointed as chairman of National Council of Education in 1936.

Hare - Hawes - Cutting Bill

- The US passed Hare-Hawes-Cutting bill as a means of granting Philippine independence – A product of the OSROX mission (Osmena-Roxas).

- The law promised Philippine independence after 10 years, but

reserved several military and naval bases for the United States,

as well as imposing tariffs and quotas on Philippine exports.

- V.P. Sergio Osmena – head of the Department of Education, the first time a Filipino assumed this position.

Tydings - McDuffie Act

- It was authored by Maryland Senator Millard E. Tydings and

Alabama Representative John McDuffie, and signed into law by

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, all Democrats.

- On October 17, 1933 the legislature, through the concurrent resolution rejected the Hare-Hawes- Cutting Bill Philippine History with Philippine Constitution.

- In March, 1934, the US passed the Tydings-Mcduffie Act. – This time it was Quezon and Quirino who went to US to clamor for Philippine independence. – Approved on May 1, 1934.

Commonwealth Act No. 1

- 1,961,861 were enrolled.

- The goal of educating the Filipino children was a failure:

- Less than 50% were enrolled in public schools.

- 1/2 of the population over 10 years of age were functionally illiterate.

The Supporters and Critiques of the

1935 Constitution

- The National Defense Act

- Requiring all 21 year old able-bodied male citizens to render 5 and ½ months of military service through regular military force or through reserve force Philippine History with Philippine Constitution

- Critics of the 1934 Constitutional Convention particularly Jose P. Laurel claimed that the 1935 constitution is invalid for we don’t need any other country’s approval for our own constitution

Sakdalista Uprising

- The 1935 constitution was approved by then President of America, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Philippine History with Philippine Constitution.

- In May 1935 approximately 65,000 Filipino peasants headed by Benigno Ramos surrounded Manila to dramatize their demands for genuine agrarian reform, abolition of unfair taxes, government policy against land grabbing and total independence from Americans.

Social Justice Program of President Quezon

- Manuel L. Quezon – the Father of Social Justice

- His administration was committed in the promotion of genuine reconciliation through genuine social justice.

- The minimum wage law and 8-hr labor law were seriously implemented.