The development of Philippine politics

318 THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE POLITICS

(1) A Philippine bill of rights enacted by the people
themselves.
(2) Extension of legislative powers, such as authority to enact naturalization laws.
(3) Separation of powers and the establishment of
an independent judiciary.
(4) An elective senate.
(5) Extension of popular legislative power throughout the archipelago. (1)
(6) Establishment of impeachment so as to require
responsibility from the high officials of the government.
(7) The continuation of Chinese exclusion.
(8) Sale of public lands and friar lands.
(9) Filipinization of the public service.(2)
On December 5, 1910, the Philippine Assembly, with the
support of both parties, passed a joint resolution requesting the Congress of the United States to authorize the Filipino people to prepare and adopt a constitution of its own.
This resolution was laid on the table by the Commission
almost by unanimous vote.(3)
</ Another serious conflict at this time between the assembly and the commission was the election of resident
commissioners in 1911. The first commissioners elected in
1907 were Pablo Ocampo on the part of the Assembly and
Benito Legarda on the the part of the Commission. In
(1) It may be remembered that at the time the Philippine Commission controlled
by the Americans had exclusive legislative power over the non-Christian tribes.
(2) Besides this joint memorial or memorandum, on the same date, the Nacionalista
Party, through its President, Sergio Osmefia, submitted to Secretary of War
Dickinson, an extensive memorial on immediate independence. It covered the
following points:
(1) Capacity shown by the Filipinos in the organization of popular selfgovernment, especially the revolutionary government.
(2) Capacity shown by the Filipinos during American administration.
(3) Consideration of the reasons alleged against the granting of Independence.
(4) Difficulties and obstacles of indefinite retention to the independence
of the Philippines.
(See Memorial Poltico del Partido Nacionalista v Memorandum conjunto
de los Partidos Nacionlista y Progresista, Documentos Nos. 4581 and 4581-a-,
Second Philippine Legislature, first period of session, Manila, 1911, Imprenta de
I. R. Morales).
(8) Report Philippine Comnmisson 1911, p. 17. For explanation of the votes in
the Commission see Commission Journal, Secnd Philippine Legislature, Special
Session, 1910, pp. 341-347.