Readings in Philippine History Important Provisions
Reviewer for the Final Exam
Topics:
Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 (Jones Law of 1916)
1. Historical Background
2. Important Provisions
Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 (Jones Law of 1916)
Historical Background
After about fourteen years of operation, the Cooper Act was
replaced by another basic law now more popularly known as the Jones
Law of 1916. The passage of this law was in part the product of resident
commissioner Manuel L. Quezon and Francis Burton Harrison’s help
(Harrison was the Governor-General of the Philippines from 1913-
1921). However, the credit for its authorship goes to Congressman
William Henry Atkinson Jones of the US Congress. The bill
introduced by Jones on 1915 was ultimately passed on August 19,
1916. This law was instrumental in giving more autonomy to the
Filipinos in governing themselves, especially with regards to the
legislative arm of the government. This law allowed full Filipino
control of the legislative branch. Through the preamble of this law, the
Americans conveyed their commitment to grant independence to the
Philippines once a stable government has been established in the
archipelago.
The following are the most important provisions contained in this
organic act/basic law:
1. The executive power was vested in the American Governor-General
to be appointed by the American President. He was to be assisted by
the executive secretaries of the executive department. In addition, a
Vice-Governor, who was to be chosen by the American President,
would act as the Secretary of Public Instruction (tantamount to the
DepEd Secretary today).
2. Under the Jones Law, the Philippine Legislature was reorganized.
The Philippine Commission was abolished and replaced by the
Senate of the Philippines. On the other hand, the Philippine
Assembly was renamed to become the House of Representatives.
These two houses served as the upper and lower house respectively.
According to the law, there was to be 24 members of the senate each
serving for six years for each term. The lower house was composed
of 93 members who were to sit for three years for each term. The
majority of these legislators are to be elected except for those who
were to be appointed by the Governor-General to represent the non-
Christian Filipinos (two in the upper house and nine in the lower
house).
3. The judicial power was vested in the Supreme Court and the lower
courts created by law. The Supreme Court was composed of a chief
justice (a Filipino) and associate justices (Filipinos and Americans).
They were to be appointed by the American President with the
consent of the U.S. Senate.
4. The law also provided a Bill of Rights for the Filipinos.
5. The Philippines continued to have two resident commissioners in the
U.S. House of Representatives.
 Prepared by:
Julius E. Aquino, LPT
Part-time Faculty, CNU-CCAS

References (Chicago Manual of Style)

1. Agoncillo, Teodoro. Introduction to Filipino History. Quezon City,
Philippines: Garotech Publishing, 1974
2. Corpuz, Ronald M., Tabotabo, Claudio V., and Mellejor, Lorna W.
Philippine History with Politics and Governance. Manila,
Philippines: Mindshapers Co., Inc., 2012.
3. Halili, Maria Christine N. Philippine History. 2nd ed. Manila,
Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2010.
4. Official Gazette. The Jones Law of 1916. Official Gazette. Accessed
December 06, 2023.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-jones-law-of-
1916/