24 THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES NEITHER THE MATERIAL and cultural progress which the Philip- pines enjoyed under the American flag nor the gloomy prophecies made by American imperialists concerning the future of a free Philip. pines deterred the Filipino people in their aspiration for indepen. dence. From 1919 to 1934 they campaigned for independence and sent twelve independence missions to America. As a result of their cam. paign, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was finally established in 1935. This was a preparatory step to the establishment of the Third Philippine Republic on July 4, 1946. Independence Aspiration of the Filipinos. Freedom was the unfading dream of the Filipinos. It was an ever-living ideal watered with their blood and tears for over three centuries, from Mactan to Bataan. In itsname, they fought more than 100 revolts, one national revolution against Spain, and one war against America, and partici- pated in the two global wars—the First and the Second World Wars. It was realized for a brief time with the establishment of the First Philippine Republic (1899-1901), only to be lost in a war against the Americans. Defeated in war, the people accepted American rule, trained inthe presence of democracy, assimilated American political and cultural legacies. But they never ceased to aspire for freedom. Failing to obtain it by force of arms, they determined to continue their libertarian struggle by force of reason and justice. Every year since 1907 the Philippine Assembly and later the Philippine Legislature passed resolutions expressing the Filipino desire for independence. The Nacionalista Party won every election because of its stirring battle cry: “Immediate Complete, and Absolute Independence!” All Filipino resident commissioners in Washingto™ D.C. crusaded for Filipino liberty. First Philippine Independence Mission (1919). During the Fist World War the Filipinos temporarily stopped their independe™313 i nd supported the Uni cal fiey resumed their independ States ay wach 17, 1919, the Philippine ee ration of Purposes”, which stated cor ple to be freeand sovereign. A Co, : meted to study ways and means of att: o mmission recommended the sendin, ie United States. ee eRe After the iv ith greater vigor. On Rn eee the famous “ ane le desire of the Filipi ae ion of Independence was ar ig the liberation ideal. This an independence mission to he Fey SermtePres the First Philippine Ind sions pet Pea President Quezon, left Manil Soe pie sreonsisted © prominent Filipinos representi ja for Washington.’ cational, and economic elements of the count pores political, edu- ived by Secretary of War Baker, who ee s unis were em the cour- i merican nation. ey present Fi case before ~ of the American nation. Th ; esented the Filipino tes congress and them returned home. president Wilson, in his farewell addi ress to Cor 2, 1920, recommended the granting of Philippine SoS 2 nately, the Republican Party then controlled Congress tents recommendation of the outgoing Democratic president was ee heeded. Other Independence Missions. The failure of the First Ind yndence Mission did not discourage the Filipino people. In tes quent years other independence missions were sent across the Pacific. quem yond mission was sent in 1922, the third in 1923, the fourth in 1924, the fifth in 1925, the sixth in 1927, the seventh in 1928, the eight in 1930, the ninth (OSROX Mission) in 1931, the tenth (one-man mmission consisting of Benigno Aquino) in 1932, the eleventh in 1933, and the twelfth in November 1933. The enormous funds needed to defray the expenses of these missions were first provided by legislative enactments. Later, Insular Auditor Ben Wright ruled that the use of public funds for the inde- pendence campaign was illegal. Voluntary contributions were soli- cited. The Filipino people patriotically responded with generous donations to the independence chest. The OSROX Mission. After 1930 the independence drive ‘werful American dairy farm gathered momentum. By this time the po) i Bee aera pved the granting of PRIPPEY independ because they wanted to close ‘America’s door to Filipino coe exports and laborers that were competing with American 220. thus Products and labor. Their support of the Filipino cause wa!1¢ OF THE PHILIPPINES v ory oF THE RE 314 ; | jderation. Taking advantage of th, selfish consider mmiselon was rushed to Annet A issi ica was the ninth mission, popularly cay. in TmMfier its leader, Senate President Pro.’ d House Speaker Manuel A. Roxas. Pore sndence bills submitted to ¢ independence bi it -ONBTess 4 Hare-Hawes-Cutting, Bill was favored giekommca Mision . Pat commonly known as the HHC Bill, was sponsored by Repres, ill, Senator Harry B. Hawes, and Senator Bronson ive Butler B. Hare, crea was passed by Congress 0n December 30, 1932, vetoed 13, 1933, and repassed President Herbert Hoover on January 'd Over the Presidential veto on January 17, 19337 Thus the HHC Bill bacan alaw? ‘The Pros Versus the Antis. The HHC Act proved to bea disry tive factor in Philippine politics because it divided the people into two opposing, camps — the Antis and the Pros. The Antis, led by Senate President Quezon, opposed the Act because of its objectionable features. The Pros, headed by Senator Osmenia and Speaker Roxas, upheld it on the ground that it was the best independence measure that could be obtained from Congress. of events December 1931. “OSROX Mission Sergio Osmefia an Of the numerous ! Before the final passage of the HHC Act, Senate President Quezon, who was in Manila, expressed his objections to the pending independence legislation. In December 1932, he sent a one-man mis- sion (Aquino) to Washington with “definite instructions” regardinghis objections. Aquino, however, was won over by Osmefia and Roxas to their side. : The following year Quezon left Manila at the head of the eleventh mission. The home-bound OSROX Mission met the Quezon Missioni® Paris. The two missions failed to come to an understanding, Wit straincd relations, they returned together to Manila. : Shortly after their arrival itippi ye A , the Philippines was convulsed by * Political war between the Antis and the Pros. It eclipsed the fama Naconaigee on, ioe in 1921, which split for the first time 1 - ‘0 warri i i me Wing) and the Colectivistas Gs {actions — the unipersonalisas re ne Quezon-controlled Philippine Leon WinB)- _On October 17, following month, Quezon ee eBislature Tejected the HHC Act a hing ton to secure a better independe ae ne twelfth mission to Was