#OnThisDay June 16, 1936, the National Assembly opened its first regular session. President Manuel L. Quezon delivered his first State of the Nation Address before the First National Assembly. His SONA was themed, quite pragmatically, “On the Country’s Conditions and Problems.” (The first formal State of the Nation Address in the Philippines was delivered by President Manuel L. Quezon on June 16, 1936 at the Legislative Building in Manila, now National Museum of Fine Arts.)
Quezon said: “Seven months ago, this Commonwealth was inaugurated amidst the general rejoicing of our people, and with misgivings on the part of some timorous individuals. Today, the Government of the Commonwealth counts with the confidence and respect of all. True, there are still a few prophets of disaster, but these need not seriously disturb us, for it is evident that it is only their wish that is father to their forebodings.”
Neither the material and cultural progress which the Philippines enjoyed under the American flag nor the gloomy prophecies made by American imperialists concerning the future of a free Philippines deterred the Filipino people in their aspiration for independence. From 1919 to 1934, they campaigned for independence and sent twelve independence missions to America. As a result of their campaign, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was finally established in 1935. This was a preparatory step to the establishment of the Third Philippine Republic on July 4, 1946.
Freedom was the unfading dream of the Filipinos. It was an ever-living ideal watered with their blood and tears for over three centuries, from Mactan to Bataan. In its name, they fought more than 100 revolts, one national revolution against Spain, one war against America, and participated in the two global wars – the First and Second World Wars. It was realized for a brief time with the establishment of the First Philippine Republic (1899–1901), only to be lost in a war against the Americans.
Defeating in war, the people accepted American rule, trained in the precepts of democracy, and assimilated American political and cultural legacies. But they never ceased to aspire for freedom. Failing to obtain it by force of arms, they determined to continue their libertarian struggle by force of reason and justice.
Every year since 1907, the Philippine Assembly and later the Philippine Legislature passed resolutions expressing the Filipino desire for independence. Its stirring battle cry: “Immediate, Complete, and Absolute Independence!”
The 1935 Constitution was one of the noblest documents written by Filipinos. It embodied the ideals of liberty and democracy which Filipinos had aspired for, and an American-type of government which they had been trained in. The Bill of Rights and the structure of the new government were modelled after the American Constitution. In one respect, the Philippine Constitution was superior to the American Constitution, because the preamble of the first invoked the aid of Divine Providence.
As a preparatory step towards the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the first national election under the Constitution was held on September 17, 1935. By an overwhelming majority vote, the Filipino people elected Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña of the Coalition/Nationalista Party as President and Vice-President respectively, of the Philippines. The majority of the elected members of the National Assembly likewise belonged to this party.
On the beautiful morning of November 15, 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated amidst colorful ceremonies held on the steps of the Legislative Building in Manila (now National Museum of Fine Arts). The historic event was witnessed by a crowd of around 300,000 people.
The invocation prayer was read by Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes of Cebu. After the prayer, Secretary of War George H. Dern, as the personal and official representative of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered an address in which he extolled the progress of democracy in the Philippines. He was followed by Governor-General Frank Murphy, who read the proclamation of the President of the United States. The oath of office was then administered to President-elect Quezon, Vice-President-elect Osmeña, and the Members-elect of the National Assembly by Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña of the Philippine Supreme Court. After the oath-taking ceremony, Secretary of War Dern, on behalf of the President of the United States, proclaimed the termination of the Government under the Jones Law and the birth of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Thereupon, President Quezon delivered his inaugural address. A long parade ended the inaugural ceremonies.
Immediately upon assuming the presidency of the Philippine Commonwealth, Quezon undertook the task of laying the foundations of the future Philippine Republic. According to President Quezon, “I would rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by Americans.”
Sources and References:
1. Gregorio F. Zaide, Sonia M. Zaide, History of the Republic of the Philippines, Metro Manila, 1983, 1987, pp. 314, 321–322
2. Manuel D. Duldulao, A Century of Philippine Legislature, Experience Philippines, Quezon City, Vol. I, p. 271
3. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
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