Governments During the Japanese Era

When the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II, they set up their own forms of government to replace the Commonwealth. The first was the Japanese Military Administration, established in Manila on January 3, 1942, just one day after Japanese forces entered the city. This administration placed authority in the hands of the Japanese Military Governor, who acted under the Japanese High Command. The Philippines was declared part of the Japanese empire’s jurisdiction. Soon after, a civilian government was organized under the Philippine Executive Commission, chaired by Jorge B. Vargas. This Commission was composed of Filipinos, but it operated under close supervision of the Japanese military authorities. It exercised both executive and legislative powers, while judicial authority was also subject to Japanese approval. Although the Commission appeared to have local authority, in practice it functioned in the same way as the Commonwealth — except that it was under Japanese, not American, oversight. Later, the Japanese sponsored the creation of the Second Republic of the Philippines, which was inaugurated on October 14, 1943. This government was headed by Jose P. Laurel as President. Although called a republic, it was not independent in the real sense, since its authority, like the Executive Commission before it, came from the Japanese military. It essentially had the same nature as its predecessor, though outwardly framed as a sovereign state. The Second Republic lasted until August 17, 1945, when President Laurel issued a proclamation formally dissolving the government, following Japan’s defeat in the war. With this dissolution, the Japanese-sponsored regime in the Philippines came to an end, and preparations began for the restoration of the legitimate Commonwealth Government.

The Japanese Military Administration was established in Manila on January 3, 1942.

When and where was the Japanese Military Administration established?

The Japanese Military Governor exercised authority under the Japanese High Command.

Who held authority during the Japanese Military Administration?

The Philippines was declared under Japanese sovereignty during the Military Administration.

What did Japan declare about the Philippines under the Military Administration?

The Philippine Executive Commission was organized as a civilian government under Japanese rule.

What civilian government replaced the Military Administration?

Jorge B. Vargas served as Chairman of the Philippine Executive Commission.

Who was the Chairman of the Philippine Executive Commission?

The Philippine Executive Commission was composed of Filipinos but controlled by the Japanese military.

Who composed the Philippine Executive Commission and who supervised it?

The Philippine Executive Commission exercised both executive and legislative powers.

What powers did the Philippine Executive Commission hold?

Judicial power under the Philippine Executive Commission was subject to Japanese approval.

How was judicial power exercised under the Philippine Executive Commission?

The Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on October 14, 1943.

When was the Japanese-sponsored Republic inaugurated?

Jose P. Laurel became President of the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines.

Who was the President of the Japanese-sponsored Republic?

The Japanese-sponsored Republic had the same nature as the Philippine Executive Commission, with authority ultimately from the Japanese military.

What was the true nature of the Japanese-sponsored Republic?

The Japanese-sponsored Republic lasted until August 17, 1945 when it was dissolved by President Laurel.

When and by whom was the Japanese-sponsored Republic dissolved?