#TodayinHistory in 1940, the #PH National Assembly began tabulating the results of the national plebiscite amending the 1935 Constitution. The results favored the proposed amendments, giving Quezon a 2nd term, restoring a bicameral legislature, & forming COMELEC. (THREAD) 
Context: The drafting of what was to be the 1935 #PH #Constitution provided for a 6 year term for President & VP w/ no reelection, & unicameral legislature (one chamber legislative body) called the National Assembly. This constitution came into effect beginning 15 November 1935.
This no reelection stipulation was influenced by Quezon, who believed that extension of presidential term was the main reason for revolt in Latin American republics. However, a caucus was held in the Assembly pushing for the amendment of the Constitution in 1939.
Speaker Jose Yulo persuaded Quezon: "Six years is too long for a bad president and too short for a good one." The idea was formed that the presidential term be shortened to 4 years, with a chance of reelection.
The National Assembly preferred the amendment via plebiscite rather than via constitutional convention, for "reasons of economy and to avoid too much political agitation." Maintaining the present order, w/ Quezon at the helm, was a priority given the Japanese expansionism in Asia
...but not to the point of curtailing the people's elective power to choose after Quezon's 6-year term. To regulate elections and ensure impartiality, it was deemed necessary to form an independent administrative body to do this. Hence, Commission on Elections was established.
Furthermore, the restoration of the #PH Senate was also put forward, but no longer to be elected via senatorial district as was in 1916-1935, but nationally elected, due to block voting system—that is, the voters write the party-name on the ballot instead of individual names.
The plebiscite was held on 18 June 1940, favoring the amendments. In the 1941 elections, Quezon & Osmeña were reelected as President & Vice President, but as per consti limitations, would not serve full 4 years since both were in office since 1935. Their term would end in 1943.
With the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific, and the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Quezon & Osmeña's terms were extended from 1943 onwards by virtue of U.S. Joint Resolution (U.S. Public Law 186) until such time that #PH is liberated. officialgazette.gov.ph/1943/11/12/joi…
Photo credits:
- LIFE Magazine
- Presidential Museum & Library 2010-2016
- Philippine Electoral Almanac Revised & Expanded (archive.org/details/philip…)
- LIFE Magazine
- Presidential Museum & Library 2010-2016
- Philippine Electoral Almanac Revised & Expanded (archive.org/details/philip…)
