THE 1935 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

To prepare for independence and

Commonwealth, Filipinos wrote a new
constitution. The Filipino people, imploring
the aid of Divine Providence, in order to
establish a government that shall
em-body their ideals, conserve and
develop the patrimony of the nation,
promote the general welfare, and secure
to themselves and their posterity the
(The opening of the Constitutional Convention in blessings of independence under a
the House session hall Legislative Building in régime of justice, liberty, and democracy,
1934.) do ordain and promulgate this
Constitution. On July 10, 1934, 202
delegates were elected to a constitutional convention.
The convention delegates met for the first time at the Philippine Legislature on July 30,
1934. And Claro M. Recto was elected as Commonwealth president. The Constitutional
Convention of 1934 was responsible for framing. On the other hand, the 1935 Constitution
provided for unicameral National Assembly and the President was elected to a six-year
term without re-election.
Some of the Elected Delegates:
President: Claro M. Recto
Recto was born in Tiáong, Tayabas (now known as
Quezon province), Philippines, of educated, upper middle
class parents, Claro Recto, Sr. of Rosario, Batangas, and
Micaela Mayo of Lipa, Batangas. He studied Latin at
Instituto de Rizal in Lipa, Batangas, from 1900 to 1901. He
continued his education at Colegio del Sagrado Corazón
of Don Sebastián Virrey. He moved to Manila to study at
Ateneo de Manila where he consistently obtained
outstanding scholastic grades, graduating with a Bachelor
of Arts degree maxima cum laude. He received a Masters
of Laws degree from University of Santo Tomás. He later received his Doctor of Laws
(Honoris Causa) honorary degree from Central Philippine University in 1969.
1st Vice-President: Ruperto Montinola

2nd Vice-President:

Secretary: Narciso Pimentel was born in 1911 and was born in Manila, Philippines.
Timekeeper: Hilario Moncado was born on November 4, 1898, in Pondol, Balamban,
Cebu, Philippines. His father was a Spanish friar, Fermin Moncado Del Prado and his
mother was Celia Camino. His father sponsored his schooling and boarding in India for
his mystical studies at the age of six.
The Constitution was amended in 1940 to have a bicameral Congress composed of a
Senate and House of Representatives, as well the creation of an independent electoral
commission. The amendment also granted the President a four-year term with a
maximum of two consecutive terms in office.
The delegates begun to drain the new constitution. On February 8, 1935, the new
constitution was approved by the majority of the delegates.
But the Filipino constitution had to be approved by the United States because we were
still a colony then. So, on March 23, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the
constitution. The 1935 Philippine Constitution was also ratified (approved) by Filipino
people and plebiscite on May 4, 1935. This constitution served the commonwealth The
Commonwealth of the Philippines and the third republic.