The 1935 Commonwealth Constitution holds great significance in Philippine history, as it

laid the foundation for the country's governance during a crucial period. The constitution

incorporated aspects of the Malolos Constitution as well as American constitutional concepts.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the significance of the 1935 Constitution, taking into

account the overwhelming American influence, the traces of the Malolos Constitution, and

whether it truly reflects the views of the Filipino people at the time. We can obtain insights into

the socioeconomic and political dynamics that shaped the constitution through the lens of social

science perspectives.

The American Perspective: The overwhelming impact of American constitutionalism on

the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution originates from the Philippines' historical setting as a

former US colony. The American experience with democratic governance had a considerable

impact on the constitution's framework. Individual liberty, representative democracy, and the

separation of powers were all important to Americans, as the 1935 Constitution demonstrates.

This influence can be examined through the lens of modernization theory in social science.

Modernization theorists argue that societies progress and develop by adopting Western values

and institutions. The American Constitution's impact on establishing a democratic framework in

the Philippines sought, through western ideals of modernity and progress, to overhaul a society

into one in line with contemporaneous visions of an enlightened nation.

While American influence is evident, the 1935 Constitution also bears remnants of the

Malolos Constitution, which was drafted during the First Philippine Republic in 1898. The

Malolos Constitution embodied the Filipino people's desire for independence and self-

determination. The Malolos Constitution has elements such as the declaration of individual

rights, the foundation of a democratic government, and the acknowledgement of Filipino as the
national language. From a social science perspective, this connection between the 1935

Constitution and the Malolos Constitution can be analyzed through the lens of nationalism.

Nationalism emphasizes the collective identity and aspirations of a nation. The desire of

Filipinos for autonomy and safeguarding their distinctive heritage was articulated through the

enshrining of provisions from the revolutionary Malolos Constitution into the 1935 charter that

established democratic self-rule.

Reflecting the Filipino People's Sentiments: Given the prevalence of American influence

in the 1935 Constitution as well as its absorption of parts from the Malolos Constitution, the

question of whether it truly reflects the sentiments of the Filipino people at the time emerges.

While the constitution sought to achieve a compromise between American ideas and Filipino

ambitions, its development and adoption were not wholly inclusive or participatory. The 1935

Constitution, dominated by an elite clique, limited the representation of Filipino society's diverse

views and interests, potentially limiting the constitution's ability to embody collective

perspectives and ambitions.

The Commonwealth Constitution of 1935 was crucial in creating Philippine governance

during a critical moment of change. It represented the dominating influence of American

constitutionalism while also containing features from the Malolos Constitution, aiming to

balance democratic governance with national identity goals. The formulation and approval of the

constitution, however, were not without restrictions, as they lacked broad participation and

representation. Perspectives from social science, such as modernization theory, nationalism, and

political sociology, can help us appreciate the value and limitations of the 1935 Constitution in

expressing the views of the Filipino people at the time.

References

Coronel, S. (2010). The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress.

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.”Kasarinlan” Retrieved from

https://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/kasarinlan/article/view/484

Ocampo, A. (2018). A Short History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to Filipinos. Anvil

Publishing.”Goodreads” Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/7869640

Quirino, C. (1995). The 1935 Constitution and Commonwealth Government of the Philippines.

Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1935-constitution/

Zialcita, F. R. (2012). Authentic Though not Exotic: Essays on Filipino Identity. Ateneo de

Manila University Press.Retrieved from https://archium.ateneo.edu/sa-faculty-pubs/41/