The period from 1919 to 1934 showed the evolution of American policy on Philippinr independence and the various

forces and circumstances. In 1916 the Filipinos received the promise of independence as soon as a stable government can be established

But by the end of the War in 1918, the Filipinos felt that they had established the stable government required by the Jones Law and that it was time for the United States to redeem its promise of independence to the Philippines Encouraged by the Jones Law, the Filipino Leaders concluded that independence from the United States could be ultimately obtained through increased political pressure and an active campaign in favor of their cause.

Demand for independence had been voiced by means of formal resolutions of the Philippine Assembly delivered to the American Congress through the Resident Commissioners in Washington, of which Manuel Luis Quezon was probably the most impressive. After 1918, a more sustained effort to terminate American rule would be undertaken, with the appeal for freedom taken directly by the Filipinos to Washington through the parliamentary missions or legislative committees sent by the Commission of Indpendence.

The leaders who involved themselves in this campaign had been on the Philippine political scene from 1907 all members of the educated elite and all products of American tutelage

Created in November 1918 Its purpose was to study all matters related to the negotiation and organization of the independence of the Philippines. It was given full power and jurisdiction to act for the Philippine Legislature and represent it in all respects during the recess of said Legislature.

In March 1919, the Legislature approved a Declaration of Purposes for the guidance of the Commission. this declaration laid down the task of the commission, which was urged to work for early independence to relieve the anxiety of our people which two decades of occupation have only served to accentuate

It was composed of: 11 senators 40 congressmen Independence Missions were sent largely through the initiative of the Nacionalista leaders in the legislature, with occasional Democrata participation to give the campaign resemblance of national unity.

Manuel Luis Quezon Senate President

Sergio S. Osmea Senate President Pro-tempore

Manuel A. Roxas Speaker of the House of Representatives

Benigno S. Aquino Sr. Senate Majority Floor Leader

Jose Abad Santos Secretary of Justice

Camilo Osias Member, Senate of The Philippines

Elpidio Quirino Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Claro M. Recto Member, House of Representatives

Emilio Tria Tirona

Juan Sumulong Member, Senate of The Philippines

Pedro Gil Member, House of Representatives

Ruperto Montinola Member, Senate of The Philippines

1st Parliamentary Mission Sent to US in 1919 Sent during the term of Pres. Woodrow Wilson This mission was led by: Senate Pres. Manuel L. Quezon Senator Rafael Palma

1st Parliamentary Mission Consisted of: 40 Filipinos Democratas Nacionalistas wrong timing because it was sent after the war and granting independence to the Philippines was not a priority

1921 Quezon went back to Washington to find out the policy of the new President, Warren G. Harding Harding assured that there will be no change in the request of the Filipinos despite change of administration

2nd Parliamentary Mission Sent to US in April 1922 This mission was led by: Senate Pres. Manuel L. Quezon Speaker Sergio S. Osmea

2nd Parliamentary Mission Its purpose was to present the Filipino view point on the report of the Wood-Forbes Mission But more importantly is to get a definitive statement on how and when the Filipinos aspirations might be fulfilled. Harding once again asured the Mission that no backward step is contemplated
Leonard Wood
William Cameron Forbes

2nd Parliamentary Mission: The Return Sent to US in November 1923 This mission was led by: Speaker Manuel A. Roxas To protest the alleged illegal arbitrary acts of Gov. Wood and specifically ask for Woods relief or fro Philippines Independence.

2nd Parliamentary Mission: The Return Reply was sent by President Calvin Coolidge in February 21, 1924 The Presidents stand shattered the hopes of the Filipino Mission that the American government would take measures in the near future to grant the Filipinos their Independence.

Looking at the whole situation fairly and

impartially, one cannot but feel that if the Filipino people cannot cooperate in the support and encouragement of so good an administration as has been afforded under Governor General Wood, their future will be rather a testimony of unpreparedness for the full obligations of citizenship than an evidence of patriotic eagerness to advance their country.
President John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. United States of America

Fairfield Bill 1924 A precursor to the Hare-Hawes Cutting Act Proposed a 30-year period of autonomy in which the Philippines have control of insular affairs Elective Governor General for the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Fairfield Bill After negotiation, absolute independence for the Philippines in 1944, a 20-year Commonwealth Period.

3rd Parliamentary Mission Sent to US in May 1924 This mission was led by: Senate Pres. Manuel L. Quezon Speaker Sergio S. Osmea Claro M. Recto (Democrata)

3rd Parliamentary Mission Considered one of the most distinguished of all missions Shortly after the return of the delegation, a bitter struggle between Nacionalistas and Democratas over the Fairfield Bill.

Recto, himself charged Quezon, Osmea and Roxas with double-dealign and insincerity to the Fairfield Bill.

Special Envoy Sent to US in August 1925 This mission was completed by Speaker Sergio S. Osmea

Osmea found out that Washington was generally hostile to any movement towards increased Philippine Autonomy or Independence

Bacon Bill November 1923 Initiated by the American Chamber of Commerce of Mindanao Separation of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan from the jurisdiction of the Philippine Government

Supreme National Council

Began in 1926 while Osmea is in US Launched by Quezon to unite all political parties and all segments of Filipino society for a more effective fight for Philippine Independence. But they felt that Quezons motive was to strengthen his sold on local affairs and give him full control

Supreme National Council: Objectives 1. Attraction of substantial Filipinos not heretofore prominent in the independence campaign, with the seeming subordination of the politico element which thus far had dominated it; 2. The decentralization of the campaign so that the provinces might take an active part, heretofore played only by Manila; and

Supreme National Council: Objectives 3. An attempt at the gradual and peaceful us of the political authority vested in the American Governor General and the Philippine Legislature.

Supreme National Council An Independence Commission under a different name: Non-politicos playing the role of politicos This is to show a unanimous effort The council was dissolved in 1928

March October 1929

Manuel A. Roxas and Sergio S. Osmea To present the Philippine case on the threatened legislation affecting the free entry of Philippine products into the U.S.

December 1929 Headed by Manuel A. Roxas Accompanied by House Majority Floor Leader Manuel C. Briones and 2 Democratic Leaders: Pedro Gil and Juan Sumulong Sent because of an anticipation of the discussion on Philippine Independence in the forthcoming Congress session Returned in September 1930

August 1930 Made by Manuel L. Quezon But he didnt make it due to illness until May 1931 March 1933 Mixed Mission led by Manuel L. Quezon November 1933 Joint Legislative Committee headed by Manuel L. Quezon

Sent to Washington in December 1931 The 9th Independence Mission Completed by: Senate President Pro-tempore Sergio Suico Osmea House Speaker Manuel Acua Roxas
Out of the numerous bills submitted to congress the OsRox Mission favored the Hare-HawesCutting Bill

Sponsored by: South Carolina Representative Butler B. Hare Missouri Senator Harry Bartow Hawes New Mexico Senator Bronson Murray Cutting

The HHC Law proved to be disruptive factor in the Philippine politics because it divided the people into two opposing camps the Antis and Pros. The Antis, led by Senate President Quezon, opposed because of the objectionable features. The Pros, headed by Senator Osmea and Speaker Roxas, upheld it on the ground that it was the best independence measure that could be obtained from Congress.

Its was passed by the Congress on December 30, 1933, vetoed by President Herbert Hoover on January 13, 1933 and re-passed over the Presidential veto on January 17, 1933. Thus, the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Bill became a Law.

Before the final passage of the HHC Act, Senate President Quezon sent a one-man mission through Senate Majority Floor Leader Benigno Simeon Quiambao Aquino Sr. to Washington with definite instructions regarding his objections. Aquino, however was won over by Osmea and Roxas to their side.

The following year Quezon left Manila at the head of the 11th mission (March 1933) The home-bound OsRox Mission met the Quezon Mission in Paris. The two missions failed to come to an understanding. With the strained relations, they returned together to Manila.

On October 17, 1933, the Quezon-controlled Philippine Legislature rejected the HHC Act. The following month, Quezon himself led the 12th mission to Washington to secure a better independence act (November 1933) Faced with embarrassment, Quezon worked with Senator Millard E. Tydings and Representative John McDuffie to have the HHC Law re-enacted with minor changes. This was done and resulted to the Tydings-McDuffie Law

This is HHC Law with minor changes. It was unanimously accepted by the Philippine Legislature on May 1, 1934 It was signed into law on March 24, 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt This Law made the Filipinos thankful to Manuel Quezon

The TML provided for the framing of a constitution for the Commonwealth government. In accordance with this provision, the election to the constitutional convention was held on July 10, 1934. 202 delegates were elected. The constitutional convention was inaugurated on July 30, 1934 with Claro M. Recto as President.

On February 8, 1935, the convention approved the Constitution. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after reading the Constitution and seeing that there was no objectionable provisions in it, approved it on March 23, 1935. On May 14, 1935, the Filipino people approved the constitution as a plebiscite. On June 16, 1935, an election was held. Quezon and Osmea ran as a team and won as President and Vice-President, respectively.

On November 15, 1935, the Commonwealth was inaugurated in front of the Legislature Building.