Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence

The Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence or the PCPI was the drafting body of the 1943 Philippine Constitution during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines during World War II. The constitution was signed and unanimously approved on September 4, 1943 by its members and was then ratified by a popular convention of the KALIBAPI in Manila on September 7, 1943.

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Background

In mid-1942, Japanese Premier Hideki Tōjō had promised the Filipinos "the honor of independence" which meant that the committee would be supplanted by a formal republic. The PCPI was welcomed by some, especially by Filipino nationalists who had long-awaited of a "Genuine Asiatic independence"

The PCPI was composed, in large part, of members of the prewar Philippine National Assembly and of individuals with experience as delegates to the convention that had drafted the 1935 Philippine Constitution. The 1943 draft constitution was limited in duration; provided for indirect election of the legislature; and a stronger executive branch.

Leadership

Presidents
  • José P. Laurel
  • Elpidio R. Quirino

Vice Presidents
  • Benigno Aquino, Sr.
  • Ramon Avanceña

Other members

Drafting
1943 Constitution
DraftingJuly 9 to September 4, 1943
Approval and SigningSeptember 4, 1943
RatificationSeptember 7, 1943

Further reading
  • Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library
  • The Presidents of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines. ISBN 971-8832-24-6.
  • Pobre, Cesar P. Philippine Legislature 100 Years. ISBN 971-92245-0-9.
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