Chapter 10
Chapter 10: The Suppression of Filipino Nationalism and the Filipinization of the Government
1. Introduction
- Following the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), the US colonial government in the Philippines sought to consolidate its control and suppress Filipino nationalist sentiments.
- This chapter explores the period of suppressed nationalism, marked by repressive American policies and actions aimed at extinguishing Filipino aspirations for independence.
- It also examines the gradual process of Filipinization, where Filipinos were increasingly granted opportunities to participate in governance, ultimately leading to the eventual granting of independence.
2. The Era of Suppressed Nationalism
- The American colonial government, through the Philippine Commission, enacted a series of laws designed to stifle Filipino nationalism:
- Libel Law (1901): This law prohibited malicious defamation in writing, printing, or public theatrical exhibitions, effectively silencing criticism of American rule.
- Sedition Law (1901): This law prohibited Filipinos from advocating for independence or political separation from the US, criminalizing any form of resistance, including speeches, publications, and literature.
- Brigandage Law (1902): This law outlawed highway robbery or brigandage, effectively labeling all acts of Filipino resistance as criminal acts, thus undermining the legitimacy of the struggle for independence.
- Flag Law (1907): This law prohibited the display of flags, banners, or emblems associated with the Katipunan or Filipino resistance, further suppressing nationalist symbols.
- These laws were used to silence dissent, punish Filipino activists, and maintain American control over the archipelago.
3. The Filipinization of Government
- Despite the efforts to suppress Filipino nationalism, the US government also implemented policies aimed at gradually increasing Filipino participation in governance, a process known as Filipinization.
- Philippine Organic Act (1902), also known as the Cooper Act:
- This act established a Philippine Assembly composed of elected Filipino representatives, granting Filipinos a limited role in the legislative process.
- It also provided for the appointment of two non-voting Resident Commissioners to the US Congress, allowing Filipinos a voice in US affairs.
- Philippine Autonomy Act (1916), also known as the Jones Law:
- This act further expanded Filipino participation in the government by creating a bicameral legislature with both houses composed of Filipino lawmakers.
- It also included a Bill of Rights that guaranteed basic freedoms for Filipinos.
4. The Tydings-McDuffie Act
- The Tydings-McDuffie Act, passed in 1934, marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the US and the Philippines.
- It officially set the conditions for Philippine independence, which was to take place after a ten-year transition period.
- The Act also called for the drafting of a new Philippine Constitution, which was ratified in 1935.
5. The 1935 Philippine Constitution
- The 1935 Philippine Constitution established a republican state with a unicameral legislature, a president, and a Supreme Court.
- It included a Bill of Rights that guaranteed basic freedoms for Filipinos.
- However, the Constitution also contained provisions that retained US control over the Philippines, such as the right of the US to intervene in Philippine affairs and to maintain military bases in the country.
6. The Commonwealth Period
- The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established as a transitional government under the 1935 Constitution, with Manuel L. Quezon as its first president.
- The Commonwealth period was a time of significant political and economic development in the Philippines, as Filipinos gained more control over their own affairs.
- However, the US retained significant power and influence over the Philippines during this period.
7. World War II and the Japanese Occupation
- The Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II (1942-1945) disrupted the progress towards independence.
- The Japanese established a puppet republic headed by Jose P. Laurel, but Filipino resistance to the occupation continued.
- The war devastated the Philippines, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
8. The Liberation of the Philippines
- American forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, liberated the Philippines from Japanese occupation in 1944-1945.
- MacArthur’s return to the Philippines, fulfilling his promise of “I shall return,” boosted Filipino morale and symbolized the hope for liberation.
9. The Third Philippine Republic
- The Philippines was finally declared independent from the US on July 4, 1946, following the ratification of the Treaty of Manila.
- This marked the beginning of the Third Philippine Republic, with Manuel Roxas as its first president.
10. The Bell Trade Act and the 1947 Military Bases Agreement
- The Bell Trade Act (1946) established a special trade relationship between the US and the Philippines, which some considered to be a form of economic dependence.
- The 1947 Military Bases Agreement allowed the US to maintain military bases in the Philippines, further complicating the issue of Philippine independence.
11. The Collaboration Issue
- The issue of collaboration with the Japanese during the occupation was a highly sensitive one.
- Filipinos who had collaborated with the Japanese were charged with treason, but President Manuel Roxas granted amnesty to most of these individuals in 1948.