Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1934, the Constitutional Convention, a convention of elected 202 Filipino delegates tasked to draft the 1935 Constitution, convenes for the 1st time at the House Session Hall in the Old Legislative Building #Manila #PH. (THREAD)

When the Philippine-American War formally ended in 1902, many Filipino leaders surrendered to the Americans but did not give up the fight for independence. What they fought for in the battlefield, they continued to push via a rigorous political campaign.

Several Independence Missions were mounted to campaign for #PH independence in the U.S. Congress beginning in 1919. Finally the missions succeeded w/ the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Law setting the stage for a 10-yr transition to independence.

The Tydings-McDuffie Law mandated the #PH Legislature to call for an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention tasked to draft the #PH Constitution. Elections for the delegates was held on 10 July 1934. Each rep district in Senate & House voted for 2 delegates.

What was unique in the composition of the 1934 Con-Con was the ideal distribution of representation of the #PH archipelago. Provinces in Mindanao , Sulu, sub-provinces in Mountain Province, each elected 2 delegates. Before, the reps of these provinces were only appointed.

The convention, led by its president, Claro M. Recto, finished its work on 8 February 1935. According to some experts, it is still one of the best iterations of the #PH constitution. It was ratified via a national plebiscite.

Under Spanish period, Filipinos were given a very limited capacity to elect leaders. In the 1st #PH Republic, democracy was the chosen form of gov, as it gave people charge of their own destiny by electing their leaders. Election is a civic right & duty fought for at great cost.

Photos:

- First session of the 1934 Constitutional Convention, 30 July 1934, from Presidential Museum and Library
- Editorial cartoon, The Tribune, July 1934