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THE 1943
CONSTITUTION
What is the 1943 Constitution?
What contribution did it make to the Philippines and its people?

1 2 3 4 5
1
 THE 1943
CONSTITUTION
• The Preparatory Comission for Independence led by Laurel appointed by the Philippine
executive commission drafted the 1943 constitution. The Japanese-established
administration of the Philippines in place of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, which
had established a government-in-exile. In mid-1942, Japanese PRIME MINISTER
HIDEKI TOJO promised Filipinos "the honor of independence," implying that the
commission would be replaced by a formal republic.

• The committee tasked with drafting a new constitution for the Philippine Independence
was made up of members of the prewar National Assembly as well as individuals who
had served as delegates to the convention that drafted the 1935 Constitution. Their
proposal for a republic to be established during the Japanese occupation would have a
limited duration, direct legislative elections, and a stronger executive branch.
 THE 1943
CONSTITUTION
• Following the Committee's approval of the draft, the new character was ratified by an
assembly of appointed provincial representatives of the Kalibapi, the organization
founded by the Japanese to replace all previous political parties.

• Upon ratification by the Kalibapi, the second republic was formally proclaimed. Jose P.
Laurel was appointed as President by the National Assembly and inaugurated into office
in October 1943. Laurel was highly regarded by the Japanese for having openly criticized
the US for the way they ran the Philippines and because he had a degree from Tokyo
International University.
 THE 1943
CONSTITUTION
• The 1943 Constitution remained in effect in Japanese-controlled areas of the Philippines,
but it was never recognized as legitimate or binding by the governments of the United
States or the Commonwealth of the Philippines, as well as guerilla organizations loyal to
them. President Laurel declared a state of war with the United States and the British
Empire in late 1944 and declared martial law, effectively ruling by decree. In turn, his
government went into exile in December 1944, first to Taiwan and then to Japan. Laurel
formally dissolved the Second Republic following the announcement of Japan's
surrender.
• The 1943 Constitution granted the president broad executive powers. The legislature was
a unicameral National Assembly, and only those considered anti-US could run for office,
though most legislators were appointed rather than elected.
 THE 1943
CONSTITUTION
• Until the 1960s, the Second Republic and its officers were not regarded as a legitimate
Philippine government or as having any standing, with the exception of the Supreme
Court, whose decisions, limited to reviews of criminal and commercial cases as part of
Chief Justice Jose Yulo's discretionary policy, remained part of the official records.

• The Commonwealth government-in-exile never established a Supreme Court, and there

was a formal vacancy in the position of Commonwealth Chief Justice following the
Japanese execution of José Abad Santos. Only during the Macapagal administration was
the Japanese-era republic partially politically rehabilitated, with the official recognition of
Laurel as a former president and the addition of his cabinet and other officials to the list of
former government officials. In contrast, the 1943 Constitution was never taught in
schools, and the laws passed by the 1943-44 National Assembly were never recognized
as valid or relevant.
1943 SEPTEMBER 4,1943 OCTOBER 14,1943

JUNE 16,1943 SEPTEMBER 7,1943

2
Content of the
Constitution
The 1943 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,
composed of a preamble and twelve articles, creates a
Republican state with a powerful executive branch and
subordinate legislative and judicial branches.
It enumerates the duties and rights of the citizens, requires
the government to develop Tagalog as the national language,
and stipulates that one year after the termination of the Great
East Asia War or the World War II; a new constitution shall be
formulated and adopted to replace this Constitution.
 ARTICLE I
The Philippines is a Republican state. And shall
be known as the Republic of the Philippines.

ARTICLE
The executive power is vested in the President, who is to be elected by the members

II
of the National Assembly from among themselves. The President is the head of
government, and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
The powers of the President are: to veto any bill of the Assembly, to promulgate
regulations when the Assembly is not in session and in times of war or national
emergency, to declare martial law, to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus, and to appoint the members of the Council of State and officials of the local
government.
 ARTICLE
A limited legislative power is exercised by the unicameral National Assembly

III
whose members, like the President, are not directly elected by the people.
Rather, the Assembly is to be composed of representatives from each
province elected in Kalibapi conventions throughout the country with
appointed governors and mayors as ex-officio members.

ARTICLE
IV
The judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court whose justices,
together with judges of lower courts, are to be appointed by the
President.
 ARTICLE
V
The President and the Justices of the Supreme Court shall be removed from office on
impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason,
bribery, or other high crimes. The Supreme Court shall have the sole power to try all
impeachments.

ARTICLE
This includes the citizens who are naturally-born Filipino and is still alive in the

VI
time of the adoption in the Constitution and the following descendants. In
Section 2, it talks about the person’s citizenship that can be lost or it can be
reacquired in the manner that was provided by the law.
 ARTICLE An important point it states is that all agricultural, timber, and mineral lands of

VIII the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils,
all sources of potential energy, and other natural resources of the Philippines
belong to the State, and their disposition, exploitation, development, or
utilization shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines.

ARTICLE
In this article, it promotes the general provisions specifically in the color of our flag,

IX
promotion of Tagalog as our national language and proper auditing of our
government’s budget. In addition to that, article IX also prohibited all public officers
and employees to have other profession that might affect their function in the
government’s office.
 ARTICLE In article XI it talks about the laws, proclamations, orders, decrees,

XI instructions and acts promulgated shall remain operative unless inconsistent

with this Constitution, until amended, altered, modified or repealed by the
National Assembly.

ARTICLE
In this article, it talks about forming a new constitution after an election is provided by

XII
the National Assembly and should be effective after the approval of the people. After
such approval, the National Assembly should provide and election of the officers
under the new constitution.
Reporters:
Almosara, Marie Judybelle G.
Olaviaga, Jade Andrei D. Sign in
Kallos, Jermine Joy M.

Subject:
Readings in the Philippine History
Teacher: Sign out
Mr. Nhoy Bob C. Balberan
 3
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