Quezon, Manuel Luis, 1878-1944.
Project in Reading And Writing
(Article No#6)
speech of Hon. Manuel L. Quezon of the Philippines in the House of Representatives, Thursday, March 2, 1911.
Quezon, Manuel Luis, 1878-1944.
. ndre" carfler0.' 582945 -PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE -SPEECH OF HON. MANUEL L. UEZON OF THE PHILIPPINES IN TSR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1911 The day has now arrved when it is absoutely essenta to.the happiness, welfare, and tranquillit of'the Filipino people that a decdaration regarding their inde. pendence be at once made by Congress. WASHINGTON r". 1911. /... tctitc *;?....~ "... _.-:X ~"* ' - '. "1. -.,. ~..?.,;m; - '.,. - *;:/ — """ -.- '. '-s 'rrl _,i ~.. ~~ - -i - —.........,..' -.^\..,'. t., )M
Page 2t r o
Page 3SPEECH HON. MANUEL L. QUEZON. The House having under consideration the bill (8. 9674) for the relief of James Henry PayneMr. QUEZON said: Mr. SPEAKER: The gentleman from the Philippines [Mr. LEGABDA] joins me in requesting the House to give proper consideration to the following cablegram from the secretary of the Philippine Assembly: Assembly adopted February 3, 1911, the following resolution: "Resolved, That the assembly do, and hereby does, petition the Congress of the United States for the immediate recognition of the independence of the Philippine Islands In the manner set forth in the memorial of the Nacionallsta Party dated September 1, 1910: and "Resolved further, That the assembly adopts each and all of the conclusions and propositions contained in said memorial; and "Resolved finally, That this resolution be cabled to the Congress of the United States and to the Resident Commissioners for the Philippine Islands, suggesting that they present and supportthe same in Congress before the adjournment of the present session thereof." - DIOKNO, Secretary Philippine Assembly. The memorial referred to in this cablegram is one addressed and delivered to the Secretary of War on his visit to the Philippines last year, which reads as follows: LETTER OF THE NACIONALISTA PARTY (AS TRANSLATED AND PRINTED BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT). MANILA, September 1, 1910. Mr. SECRETARY: The Nacionalista Party believing that it interprets the feelings of all its members honors itself In directing to you this statement of facts to call your attention to the true general aspiration of the people of these islands, whose interests, well-being, and happiness the United States has assumed control of in e tablishing its sovereignty over the Philippine Archipelago. I The Naclonalista Party was organized in the year 1906, and promptly obtained popular favor. It has committees established in almost all the towns of the archipelago and represents approximately 81 per cent of the popular suffrage. At present of 81 members of the Philippine Assembly, it has 66, and of 31 proval ovincial ernors, it has 23. This party aspires to the immediate independence of the country, because it belietes the Filipino people endowed with those conditions necessary to establish and maintain a stable government of hw and order, is has been proven by the existence of what was the government of the Filipino republic in the years 1898 and 1899. The period of experiment which has passed-during the American sovereignty is ample to demonstrate that the Filipinos know how to make use of civil and political liberty, and to comply with and to force compliance with the laws, to avoid disorders, prevent abuses, and live in accordance with the practices of civilized communities. It is for this reason that we believe that the transfer of political control to the Filipinos an not signify any sort of disturbance within the country, or danger to the life, property, or liberty of residents therein, but on the contrary the maintenance and preservation of the essential principles for.which are established governments, law and order, and guaranties of liberty and justice for everybody.. The independence of the Philippine people will be a due satisfaction for the efforts and sacrifices made by Filipinos in acquiring cultivation 84780-9790
Page 44 and western clvilization, and a compliance with the sacred principtes of equality nnd liberty ot the people consecrated in the Declaration of Independence of the United Stateo of North America. The Indefinite retention of the Philippine Islands lends to produce racist antogonism, miosuderstsnding, and reciprocal jeal-ousy among a people -witose interests in ithe extreme Orient should be allied, mahes didicolt the rapid development of the nationol aptitude of the Filipinos In the manacentent and defence of their own interests, and sacrifices the fotore of a yocng people dec.iroos of followinc the examples of the oldest in their fruitful sorb for the good of progress and of the life of humanity. In this brief exposition in witich we will review the accomplisltments and facts whkh itave revealed lthe apltittde of Filipinos for independent self-governocent, and s-ill consider tome quoestions which.-affect tite problem of the reloaicots between Ameriea and the Philippine Islands, lt will be neceessary to separate all lice mattero into various chapters with the.folloo-ing headinfgs I. Capcacity deaonstrated by the Filipinos In the organization of a popular self-covernomeat. Ii. Trhe capacity of the Filipinos demonstrated during American cant rol. Ill. Alleged obstacles to independence: their econsideration. IN'. Obctacles to the indefittite retention at the Pitilippine Islands preparatcry to their independence. I. CAPACITY DcmocccnTtATFD at rtc Ftltrticos IN THE ORG&vIZATIO'N Or A POPULAS SELF-GOVEANSirNT. It is important to set tactic some historic facts which hear on the aspiration of the Filipinos for fndeicendence, and mahes patent the apiiittdes of ithe leospile in sustaining a popular Independent government. The Philippine islands were under the domination of Spain from Ike 10th of Mlav. 1571, when tLegaspi loch possession of them in the name of Phtilip II. The laws approved in the beginning for the adminlstratiist of insular affairs n-crc beneficent and protective in an extreme degree for tise natisea of tite colonies. Tite Spanish people in the greatness of Ito then poser felt Itself imicelled to carry the light of Chcrisfinally and of civilization to tice inbabitants of the darkest places of the eartit. It bcelieved, honestly, that it s-as called by Providence to govern foreignc peoiple, even isy toeasn of violence, avith the object of making theas halsiy, bringinc to item knowledge of the true God and to administer their interests paternaily. The Philippine Islands were governed in accordattce s-ilt this aliruistic sentinment, and the Filipinos were effectively converted is Christianity and educated In what progress anod Etiropean civilizstion meonc. The Fili '~nos at the end of 7100 years constituted a homogeneous pecp7 e, swith national aspirations, political ideals, and love of progress and liberty. Nevertheless, the paternal rfgime continued as at. the beginning, based on the false Idea that the people was a child whose u-ill and opinion should not be taken Into account to determine matters bearing on its own interest. Tile people understood on the other side titot tice colonial rfgime in force did not favor its rapid progress to place it at the height of the civilized people of the earth, The doctrines relating to the right of man and citizenship had advanced in tite conscience of the Filipinos, and as such rights were sot recognized under the colonial regime, they were —consequently demanded. The people by public aubscription and is other ways paid fer the sendIng of various Filipinos to Msadrid to bgncsayrfrsi the insular administration. The Idea that theFlpn epesol have the same political and Ovili rights us the Saihpolansmevoice is thte administrotion sl its own affairs wstelmtothcapaign Intrusted to the Filipinos sent to Spain. The denial by the Spanish authorities of the petitions of the people began to produce discontent among the Filipinos, and the Idea that they were an object of political abuse was readily E~ccepted. The distance from thep lace s-here this colony was governed, the intrigues of the insular offcials to create the belief in the governing authority of the metropolis of die inadvisability of reforming the policy sad- insular administration, and the suspicions ~of which those Filipinos who bagged reforms were the object were so many causes to present am appreciation of the justice of the popular demands and contributed to maintain and increase the general discontent and provohed hatred towsrd that r~ime. The hatred at what was considered political tyranny culminated In 1896, when Andrfs Bonitaclo, a man cumIng. from the working masss started an insurrectional movement against Spain which acquired greet 84780-9790O
Page 55 proportion, and ended in the so-called treaty of "Biak-4a-bato." In virtue of this treaty the leaders of the insurrection promnsed to accept the program of reforms which, as they were made to understand, would be brought about if they laid down their armbut as nothing was subsequently done, the insurrection continued, and on the opening of the Spanish-American War in April, 1898, the Filipinos believed there had arrived an opportunity of fighting determinedly for independence, expecting to count for this purpose on American aid. The American naval forces destroyed the Spanish fleet, occupied the Bay of Manila and the port of Cavite, while the Filipinos under the orders of Aguinaldo organized an army and took all the provinces of the archipelago from the power of the Spanish. This ended practically the Spanish sovereignty In the islands. TYPE OF POPULAR GOVERNMENT. There was immediately organized a Philippine government in all the occupied places. The government was dictatorial at the beginning, but this condition only lasted a month, or that is the absolutely necessary time that Aguinaldo employed in exciting the spirits of his compatriots in favor of Philippine independence. During this time Aguinaldo, "understanding that the first duty of all government- is to interpret faithfully the popular aspirations," and understanding further "the present necessity of establishing in each town a solid and robust organization, the firmest bulwark of public security and only measure of assuring union and discipline indispensable for the implantation of the republic, or, that is, the government of the people for the people," published a decree giving instructions to the people that were liberated from the Spanish control to change the form of government in their respective localities. The before-mentioned instructions outlined a type ~ of popular government simple and suitable to those moments of transition. It was provided that "so soon as the town is free from the Spanish domination those residents most distinguished by their learning. social position, and honorable conduct, as well in the center of the towns as in the barrios, should unite in a general meeting and elect by majority votes a chief of the municipality and three delegates, one of police and interior order, another of justice and civil register, and another of taxes and property, and a chief or head of each barrio," all of whom will form the popular junta. " The chiefs of the municipalities after having obtained the views of their respective juntas will unite and will elect by majority votes a chief of the province and three councilors for the three departments above named." These officials with the chief of the provincial capital will form the provincial council. There was no difficulty in the application of these Instructions, and the towns and provinces which were under the jurisdiction of the dictatorial government worked in conformity therewith. On June 23, 1898, Aguinaldo resigned his dictatorial powers in the revolutionary government, "whose object is to struggle for the independence of the Philippine Islands until the free nations, including Spain, recognized it ixpressly, and to prepare the country for the implantation of a true republic." The evident object of Aguinaldo in resigning his dictatorship was to give promptly to the people guaranties of a civil government as most conformable to the character of the new institutions implanted. The revolutionary government preserved the popular form of provincial and municipal governments under conditions heretofore stated. The central government was organized with the president as chief of the government and executive power, assisted by four department secretaries, namely, foreign relations, marine and commerce; war and public works; police and interior order; treasury, agriculture, and industry, with a revolutionary congress as the legislative power. whose members were to be elected in the same manner prescribed for the election of the provincial officials. To this revolutionary congress was given true independence, since "the president of the government may not prevent in any way whatever a reunion of congress. nor interfere with sessions thereof," and with a commission of the congress presided over by the vice president, and assisted by one of the secretaries of the same, as supreme court to take cognizance on appeal of criminal matters passed on by the provincial councils. The popular juntas and provincial councils were at the same time competent tribunals to take cognizance of civil and criminal matters, with their respective jurisdictions well defined. It is important to take note of these details to understand properly what was the object of the government that thek I'ilipinos by themselves, without aid or council of anyone, proposed t, adopt, having in mind their conditions and political views. The fac; that the Filipinos had.efused to reestablish the old institutions. and that they had created others-new ones-made it clear that the Filipinos not only had their 84780-9790
Page 66 own political ideas, but likewise that their ideals are the most advanced that the pro'gress of time has shown. The revolutionary government was. as has )aeen seen. in its essence popular. In all the governmental divisions the,eople were represented by officials elected by them. This is especially ihown if we refer to the organization of the judicial power which was from top to bottom officered by elected officials. THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED. The authority of the revolutionary government was extended In a few months to all the islands composing the archipelago by express recognition of their inhabitants. It was questioned in no part of Luzon. of the Visayas, or of Mindanao after the people were delivered from tile Spaniards. The chiefs of the various non-Christian tribes of the north of.uzon who never submitted to Spanish domination sent messages acknhow-ldring( thle government then established. Prominent Mohammlnedan chiefs of the island of Mindanao gave their spontaneous and sincere adhesion. The ditTiff-nt grades of civilization. the accidental differenccs of relirion. habits. and dialects, which are always exaggerat(ed by those who are interested in presenting the Filipinos as incapable of in-titnting gh indlendent self-government, were no obstacle to smake diflicult in any way the establishment of said Philippine governmenat or the normal exercise of its authority over all the islands. T'he Filipinos on displayling their national unity under that government consecrated likewise its legitimacy under the principle that the power of the governtmnt comes from the consent of the governed. THE PHILIPPINE CONS-TITUTION. In September. 1898. the revolutionary congress opened its sessions. All the provinces of the archipelago were represented therein. After the work of organization. congrress idevoted all its time to drawing up a constitution. )n the 20thll of January, lS!), the Filipino constitution was appI)roved and Iplac-d in force inlmmedi;tely thereafter. If tlhe spirit and letter of this constitution be considered, it will be seen that its provisions contain all the principles of law, order, and liberty contained in the modern constitutions of the world. Title I defines the 'hililppine replublic. and declares that the sovereignty resides exclusiv(el in the people. Title II establishes the form of popular representative 'government, alternative and responsible,. with three distinct and indel)endent powers. Title III recognizes tlis separation of the church and state and the liberty and equality of all religions. Title IV contains the declaration of individual rights to life. propl(rty, freedom of thought, reunion and association. foundation of schools, and petition to authorities, the exercise of profession or industry, and prescribes the guaranties of these rights. Authorizes the samte rights and guaranties to foreigners and permits the latter to acquire 'Philippine citizenship by naturalization papers and residence during two years in any territory of the republic. Establishes obligatory military service, popular gratuitous and obligatory instruction, civil trial for all crimes, prohibits institution of primogeniture and the entailing of property, the accepting and authorizing decorations and titles of nobility. Title V establishes -a representarive assembly in which resides the legislative power. Representatives will be such of the nation. and may not receive any imperative mandate from their electors. They may not be molested for their opinions or votes nor imprisoned without authority of the assembly. The. assembly may try tile highest officials of'-the government for crimes against the state. Title VI constitutes a permanent commission of the assembly during the closing of the sessions toeGeclde on certain specific matters. Title VII declares the president of the republic chief of the executive power which he exercises through his secretaries. Questions relating to private interests of the municipalities correspond to the provincial and popular assermblies and to the central administration on the base of the amplest decentralization and economy. Title VIII provides the election of the president of the republic by means of a constituent assembly by absolute majority of votes. The term is for four years with reelectlon. The president may initiate laws and is obliged to promulgate those which have been approved. Title IX provides for a council of government composed of a president and seven secretaries, who are collectively responsible before tlie assembly for the general policy of the nation, and individually for their personal acts. Title X declares that tile judicial power rests in the supreme court and other tribunals provided by law. empowering any citizen to bring action against the individuals of the judicill power for crimes committed in the exercise of tlleir offices. Title XI provides that the organization and powsers of tlhe provincial andl populllar assemblies will be fixed by 84780-O-9790
Page 77 law under certain conditions. Title XII regulat't-he administration of state. Title XIII provides methods and form lof amending the constitution. Title XIV provides that all officials irust swear to support the constitution. Adopts as official language the Spanish. Temporarily places in force the Spanish laws and regulations as to the exercise of civil rights of citizens. I There can be no doubt that this constitution not only represents the grade of cultivation of men that drew itp, but that it shows likewise that the Filipinos considered a system of popular givernment as that most suited to their conditions and the experiences of the country. They did not think of copying and imitating the institutions with which they were most familiar. On the contrary, they constructed a system radically contrary to that which had been in force herel for several centuries. In some of the lines of this constitution is observed a tendency to maintain any sort of oligarchy, but'in all of them are imprinted democratic principles more accentuated, perhaps, than in many of the republican constitutions of the day. The Philippine constitution, as it was drawn up by representatives of the revolutionary congress, portrays with fidelity more than any other act of the Filipinos of that time the aspirations and political ideals sf the people of the islands. CONDITIONS WHICH PREVAILED UNDER THAT GOVERNMENT. In the conditions of order, tranquillity, and progress which prevailed under the authority of the revolutionary government there was clearly displayed the good dispositions of these people for the direction of their own affairs. A decree of Aguinaldo abolishing all gambling privileges and cockfighting taxes, "because they tend only to ruin the people, with slight advantage to the public treasury," was sufficient that the people should give up completely their ancient favorite practices. Crimes and ordinary misdemeanors diminished notably in number. There were enjoyed as in no time entire security, well-being, and content. The parties of bandits which from the most remote periods were accustomed to disturb the order voluntarily disappeared. The spirit of cooperation of the people in the measures of the government for good order and progress was evidenced by the- liberal treatment of the Spanish prisoners, the respect to foreigners, the attendance. at school, and the return to customary field work in those places in which the revolutionary condition had ceased. The government on its part, without neglecting provisions fbr war, consecrated itself to organize the most important and urgent public services. The corps of civil physicians to watch over sanitary conditions, hygiene, and urbanization of the provinces was established. There was created a civil register in all the municipalities. The chiefs of the municipalities were authorized to act provisionally as notaries in the authentication of documents and extrajudicial acts. There was founded a university to teach law, medicine, pharmacy, and notaryship, and the institution" Burgos" for studies of the general high-school class, and there was ordered the reopening of all the municipal primary-szoolas All the provincial councils and popular juntas were ordered to proceed to the repair and preservation of roads, bridges, and -public buildings, because "the ways'of communication were one of the causes which contribute to material and moral progress of every country." There was created~an institute for vaccination to prepare and distribute vaccine to all the provinces. There was established a bureau of census and statistics. There was organized a corps of communications to regulate the sending of correspondence and telegraphic dispatches between the towns and provinces. The government not only organized practically all the public services which existed under the Spanish Government, but likewise adopted various provisions which showed its good desire to watch over the general interest, prohibiting the sale of copra which is not thoroughly dry "as prejudicial to the credit of commercial articles," and the slaughtering of carabao useful for agricultural purposes " because they might be better used in the fields." THE OPENING OF HOSTILITIES. On the 23d of January, 1899, in accordance with the constitution. proclamation of the Philippine republic was made in the town of Mlolos; Aguinaldo was proclaimed chief of said republic. Hut shortly thereafter, that is, on the 4th of February, occurred the opening of hostilities between Americans and Filipinos. This outbreak was a surprise for the Filipinos. But the moral union of the people and Philipine Government was displayed during the new condition of war. Aguinaldo published a proclamation ordering the war, and his order was obeyed in all sections. The American forces encountered open resistance wherever they were, and had to forcibly capture or force the 84780-9790
Page 88 Philippine forces to surrender by superiority of resources. The spirit of resistance terminated toward the end of 1901, and the Filipinos, through the efforts made by some of their compatriots, agreed to recognize American domination. II. THE CAPACITY OF THE FILIPINOS DEMONSTBATED DURINa AMERICAN CONTROL. Nothing can indicate better the capacity of the people for independent government than the spontaneous adhesion that the same people is giving to the essential democratic principles which inspire the present government and its cooperation in the many steps that have been taken for the betterment of the intellectual, moral, social, and material conditions of the people. If this people should be lacking in those conditions necessary for progress, doubtless any effort in that direction undertaken by the American Government would have been fruitless. It would not be true to affirm that all the progress realized in the Philippine Islands has been due to the energy and talent of the Government, since without the cooperation of the people, without the practical sense indispensable to appreciate good, no beneficient work would have been carried successfully to a termination. A resume setting forth the manner in which the Filipinos have conducted themselves in the exercise of the powers conferred on them under the present government will show us that the conception and application by the Filipinos of a popular government are entirely satisfactory. PUBLIC ORDER. The satisfactory state of public order in the islands has been brought about with the ajd and efforts of the Philippine people. The work of the American Army doubtless has been a factor in finishing the war and establishing peace, but the maintenance of order and tranquillity after the period of the war is due to the determined attitude and to the decided interest of the people to pursue in peace the struggle for their political ideals and to consecrate themselves to the cause of progress and prosperity destroyed by six years of disturbance. This attitude reveals nothing but good, practical sense-the good disposition which this people has of considering existing conditions in the determination of its national convenience. Public order is maintained in the municipalities and provinces by Filipino officials and agerts with the exception of some chiefs and officers of the constabulary. 'The agricultural work and the operations of commerce. are effected with the greatest tranquillity and security for all. The violations of order and the local disturbances occasioned by misdemeanors are not numerous, so that the Philippine people may sustain In this matter a favorable comparison with any of the most civilized countries of the world. The good disposition of the-people toward the maintenance of order and the discipline of the law is evidenced most pathetically, taking int, consideration that there has passed bat a short time since the period of war with the subsequent disturbance and that there has not disappeared from the mind of the people many of the motives and prejudices which originated in the war and provoked from time to time discontent with the present situation. There is no little argument 'in faror of the orderly and disciplined spirit of the people in the fact that the exercise and practice of civil ahd political rights completely new to the inhabitants of these islands, such as liberty of religion and direct suffrage, have not occasioned long and bloody struggles which they have produced in nations of longer history than ours. THE LOVE FOR AND PROGRESS IN PUBLIC INSTBUCTION. The great interest which the Filipino people has shown for education is quite evident. One of the causes frequently cited and which contributed to the discontent of the Filipinos with the Spanish regime was the monopoly exercised in instruction by the religious corporations, which showed no great desire for the instruction of the masses of the country. In reality, during that regime primary or elemental instruction received little attention. The instruction in the secondary grade and in superior and university grades was deficient and sectarian. But in the midst of such a vicious system the zeal for study and the interest of families in sending their children to the schools and colleges established in the Philippines or to Europe to acquire a more extended education were very marked. Poor families imposed on themselves all classes of sacrifices that their children might study. In many cases they begged of the rich families or their friends that they should acept their children in domestic service so as to permit them some free hours to dedicate themselves to study., 84780-9790
Page 99 The general movement noted under American control in favor of education is not, therefore, new in the history of this country. The Filipino people appreciates the advantages given by education and information of life. It recognizes its necessity and has a sympathy and aptitude for all sorts of education. This explains the fact that the number of children attending the schools has crowded in many cases the capacity of said schools and that at times there was necessity of denying admission to pupils. This explains likewise the fact that there has not been lacking pupils in the industrial schools or others of special branches of education little or not at all known in past periods. It is a source of congratulation to be able to say that in all experiments which have taken place to prove the love of instruction or the measure of the intellectual capacity of the people the proof in our favor has been decisive. Two years ago effort was made to open courses for nurses. This was an instruction completely unknown in the country. The education given to woman in former times-not to be for a long time absent from home, not to know or to comply with other obligations than those purely domestic, not to require of her severe and difficult labor which was considered proper only for men-appeared to give little hope for a successful outcome of the new experiment, but, in view of the results obtained, there can be no doubt that the effort has been a complete success, which speaks in favor of the aptitude of the Filipino woman for the evolution of modern civilized life. The constant increase of schools and of the attendance of children of the school age since American occupation are phenomena generally observed in all the provinces. The following statement of attendance taken from the last report of the secretary of public instruction proves this assertion: Pu blic Monthly schools, attendance. 1903......................................................... 2,000 150,000 1904........................................................ 2,233 227,600 1905.................................................. 2,727 311,843 1906......................................................... 3,166 375,534 1907......................................................... 3,436 335,106 1908......................................................... 3,701 359, 738 1909.............................................. 4,194 437,735 There has been observed on many occasions a tendency to suppress or postpone the payment of land tax by the municipal or provincial governments, while at the same time they have tried to continue in force that part of said tax destined to the schools, and when this has not been successful the consideration of closing the schools in case of failure to pay said tax has exercised such influence in the provincial and municipal governments that there have continued in full effect the provisions of the law. In view of the foregoing demonstration, there can be no fear that the Filipino people will maintain itself in ignorance. A people that shows the live interest in being instructed, such as the Filipino has shown before and now, can not constitute a danger for a regular and orderly maintenance of a popular government. THE EXERCISE OF SUFFRAGE. One of the fears of those who considered the Filipinos incapable of popular self-government is that they would not have sufficient discretion to elect to those offices which must be filled by election the best people in the community. i The exercise of suffrage by the Filipinos has shown, nevertheless, that they know how to make good use of this privilege. Up to the present the electors have been abe to confide public offices to persons who could duly perform their duties as officials. In the majority of cases they are persons of intelligence and responsibility who have known how to justify their election and bring about during their official terms the betterment of their respective towns. An excellent proof of this fact is that with rare exceptions there has not been suspended or deprived of his office any provincial elective Filipino dfficial since American domination. Nor is the percentage of municipal officials suspended or deprived of office greater than that in independent nations, especially if it is considered that not all the suspensions or deprivations of office are the result of grave faults which affect the morality and capacity of certain officials.
----------------------------------------------
Autor of this page:
Roseanne Joy Gatmaitan
Jhon Carlo L. Carbonel
Mark Anthony Sacueza
Section 11- AQUINAS
----------------------------------------------
Autor of this page:
Roseanne Joy Gatmaitan
Section 11- AQUINAS
No comments:
Post a Comment