THE 1943 CONSTITUTION

(1943-1945)
 The 1943 constitution was drafted by a appointed by the
Philippine executive commission,

The body establish by the Japanese to administer the

Philippines in lieu of the commonwealth of the Philippines
which had established a government-in-exile. In mid1942
Japanese PRIMIER HIDEKI TOJO had promised the Filipinos
“the honor of independence “ which meant the commission
would be supplanted by a formal republic.
  The preparatory for the Philippine Independence tasked with
drafting a new constitution was composed of members of the prewar
National Assembly and of individuals with experience as delegates to
the convention that had drafted the 1935 Constitution. Their draft for
the republic to be establish under the Japanese Occupation would be
limited in duration, provide for direct legislative elections, and a
stronger executive branch.
 1943

 Upon approval of the draft by the Committee, The new

character was ratified by an assembly of appointed provincial
representatives of the Kalibapi, the organizationestablish by the
Japanese to supplant all previous political parties.
 1943-1945

 Upon ratification by the Kalibapi, the second republic was

formally proclaimed. Jose P. Laurel was appointed as President by
the National Assembly and inaugurated into office in October
1943. Laurel was highly regarded by the Japanese for having
openly criticized the US for the way they ran the Philippines and
because he had a degree from Tokyo International University.
 1943 CONSTITUTION
 The 1943 Constitution remained in force in Japanese-controlled areas of the
Philippines but was never recognized as legitimate or binding by the
governments of the United States or of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
and guerilla organizations loyal to them. In late 1944, President Laurel declared
a state of war existed with the United States and the British Empire and
proclaimed martial law, essentially ruling by decree. His government in turn
went into exile in December 1944, first to Taiwan and then Japan. After the
announcement of Japan's surrender, Laurel formally dissolved the Second
Republic.
 1943 CONSTITUTION

 The 1943 Constitution provided strong executive powers.

The Legislature consisted of a unicameral National
Assembly and only those considered to be anti-US could
stand for election, although in practice most legislators
were appointed rather than elected.
 1960S

 Until the 1960s, the Second Republic and its officers, were not
viewed as a legitimate Philippine government or as having any
standing, with the exception of the Supreme Court, whose
decisions, limited to reviews of criminal and commercial cases as
part of a policy of discretion by Chief Justice Jose Yulo continued
to be part of the official records.
 Rhis was made easier by the commonwealth government-in-
exile never constituting a Supreme Court, and the formal vacancy
in the position of Chief Justice for the Commonwealth with the
execution of José Abad Santos by the Japanese). It was only
during the Macapagal administration that a partial political
rehabilitation of the Japanese-era republic took place, with the
official recognition of Laurel as a former president and the
addition of his cabinet and other officials to the roster of past
government officials. However, the 1943 Constitution was not
taught in schools, and the laws of the 1943-44 National Assembly
never recognized as valid or relevant.