U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Philippine Independence Act (Tydings–McDuffie Act), establishing a 10-year transition via a Philippine Commonwealth and setting a path to full independence.
The Philippine Legislature accepted the Tydings–McDuffie Act by concurrent resolution, a required step before organizing a constitutional convention and proceeding toward Commonwealth government.
Voters elected delegates to the 1934 Constitutional Convention as authorized by the Tydings–McDuffie Act, initiating the formal drafting process for a new fundamental law.
The Constitutional Convention first met in Manila to draft the constitution required for the Commonwealth; delegates elected Claro M. Recto as convention president at the opening session.
After revisions by a style committee, the convention gave final approval to the recast draft constitution—clearing the way for submission to the U.S. President as required by the independence act.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the proposed Philippine Constitution in Washington, D.C., a prerequisite for putting it to a plebiscite in the Philippines.
A nationwide plebiscite ratified the 1935 Constitution (with its appended ordinance), establishing the constitutional framework for the Philippine Commonwealth.
The first national elections under the new constitutional framework chose a president and vice president for the coming Commonwealth government, marking a major shift toward Filipino self-government.
In a formal proclamation, President Roosevelt announced and proclaimed the officers elected for the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines pursuant to the Tydings–McDuffie Act.
The Commonwealth government was inaugurated in Manila, with Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña inducted as the first President and Vice President of the Commonwealth—launching the planned transition toward independence.
Establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth and the 1935 Constitution (1934-1935)
