PHILIPPINE

ORGANIC ACT
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Table of Content

1. Colonial Period Recap

2. Historical Context
3. Primary Source
Table of Content

1. Colonial Period Recap

2. Historical Context
3. Primary Source
Timeline
Philippine Philippine-American War
Revolution The Schurman Commission

1896 1899
to to
1898 1902

1565
to 1898 1900
1898

Spanish Colonial Spanish-American War The Taft

Rule Treaty of Paris Commission
Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation
 Filipinization
It refers to the process or policy of actively
placing Filipinos in different government
positions during the American occupation of the
archipelago.
 Filipinization
It reached its peak when Francis Burton Harrison served
as governor-general during the Democratic Party's
presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Harrison initiated the
appointment of vital government roles, prioritizing education
and administrative abilities.
 Filipinization
Harrison permitted influential Filipino leaders like
Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio M. Osmeña to form
an advisory body to assist the governor-general in
managing the colony.
Philippine Organic Act
of 1902
In response to the recommendations of the Philippine
Commission, the U.S. Congress passed the Philippine
Organic Act on July 1, 1902.
Philippine Organic Act
of 1902
Also known as the Cooper Act because it is mainly
authored by Henry A. Cooper.
Philippine Bill of 1902
Henry A. Cooper
September 8, 1850 - March 1, 1931
A lawyer and politician
Studied at Northwestern University for his law degree and
practiced law in Chicago after being admitted to the bar.
Member of the US Congress, representing the first district
of Wisconsin.
Known for drafting the Philippine Organic Act
Philippine Organic Act
of 1902
The approval of the act concurred with the official end of the
Philippine-American War.
Became the basic governing law for the colonial government
of the country.
Philippine Organic Act
of 1902
This law also brought significant societal changes like the
Filipino participation in the government.
Functioned as a constitution for the colony where the
Philippine Assembly, the legislative body, was established to
be occupied by the Filipino statesmen.
Philippine Organic Act
of 1902
This legislation established a bicameral legislature for
the Philippines, composed of an appointed Philippine
Commission and an elected Assembly.
Philippine Commission
A group of officials appointed by the United States government.
They acted as the legislative body for the Philippines and
were responsible for making laws and policies. The head of this
commission was typically an American, and the members were
also usually Americans.
 Assembly
The Assembly was the lower house of the Philippine legislature.
Unlike the Commission, the members of the Assembly were
elected by the Filipino people. It represented a step toward
self-governance, as Filipinos had a say in electing their
representatives. The Assembly had the power to create local
laws and regulations.
The Philippine Organic Act provided for the creation of an elected
Philippine Assembly after the following conditions were met:

1. The cessation of the existing insurrection in the Philippine Islands

2. Completion and publication of census
3. Two years of continued peace and recognition of the authority of the
United States of America after the publication of the census
This act granted several rights to Filipinos and allowed them to have the
privilege of sending two non-voting resident commissioners to the
U.S. Congress starting in 1907. Pablo Ocampo and Benito Legarda
are the first appointees of this role.
Additionally, the law also addressed important issues related to natural
resources, their usage, and the conservation of the Philippines.
 Primary
Source

88 Sections
Section 1-3: Establishment of the Philippine government
Section 4-16: Civil rights, land and property rights, taxation, and other administrative matters
Section 17-62: Conservation of natural resources
Section 63-65: Purchase lands of religious orders & issue bonds for purchase price
Section 66-73: Municipal bonds for public improvements
Section 74-75: Franchises in Philippine islands
Section 76-83: Creation of laws and regulations regarding Philippine coins
Section 84-86: Maritime vessels, goods, and tariff
Section 87: Bureau of Insular Affairs
Section 88: Acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed
Primary
Source

“AN ACT TEMPORARILY TO PROVIDE FOR THE

ADMINISTRATION OF THE AFFAIRS OF CIVIL
GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”
 Section 4
All people who lived in the Philippines on April 11, 1899, and stayed there, as well as
their children born later, would be considered citizens of the Philippines and would be
protected by the United States. But if they chose to stay loyal to Spain, they could do
that according to the treaty signed in Paris on December 10, 1898.
 Section 5
This section lays out a set of fundamental rights and legal principles for the Philippines
under U.S. control. These include bill of rights:

Protection from unfair treatment: People can't be deprived of life, freedom, or property
without a proper legal process.
Rights in criminal cases: Accused individuals have the right to a fair trial, to know the
charges against them, and not to be tried for the same crime twice. They also must not
incriminate themselves.
Bail and contracts: People can usually be released from jail by paying bail, except for
very serious crimes. The government can't change contract terms after they've been agreed
upon.
Section 5
Protection from Debt Imprisonment: People cannot be put in jail just because they owe
money.
Habeas corpus: People can challenge their detention in court, except during extreme
situations like rebellion or invasion.
Legal protections: No retroactive laws or laws granting titles of nobility are allowed.
Fair punishment: Excessive bail, fines, and cruel punishments are prohibited.
Privacy and search rights: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures is
guaranteed.
No slavery: Slavery is banned except as a punishment for a crime.
Free expression: Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly is protected.
Section 5
No official religion: There can't be an official state religion, and religious freedom is
ensured.
Spending rules: Money from the treasury can only be used based on specific laws.
Uniform taxation: Taxes must be applied fairly to everyone.
Legislative rules: Laws should focus on one main topic, and this topic must be reflected
in the title.
Search warrants: Warrants require probable cause, description of what's being searched or
seized, and oath or affirmation.
Special funds: Money collected for a specific purpose must be used only for that purpose.
Section 6
Once peace is established in the Philippines and certified to the President by the Philippine
Commission, a census will be conducted. This census will gather information about the
population, including name, age, gender, ethnicity, language proficiency, school attendance,
home ownership, and other statistics for each island, province, municipality, and civil
division. The President can choose to involve the Census Bureau in this effort if requested
by the Philippine Commission.
 Section 7
Two years after conducting a census and ensuring peace and recognition of U.S. authority,
a general election will be held to establish the Philippine Assembly. The Assembly
will consist of up to one hundred members apportioned by population. They will serve two-
year terms and convene annually for legislative sessions. The Assembly will manage its
internal affairs, rules, and proceedings, including recording yeas and nays when requested.
Special sessions can be called by the Civil Governor, lasting up to thirty days.
 Section 8
At the same time as the first Philippine Legislature meeting and every two years
afterward, the Legislature will choose two resident Commissioners to the United
States, with each House voting separately. These Commissioners will have official
recognition and receive a monthly salary of $5,000, along with an additional $2,000 to
cover expenses. Eligible candidates must be qualified electors in the Philippines, loyal to the
U.S., and at least thirty years old.
Section 10
The Supreme Court of the United States has the authority to review, change, or
confirm the final judgments and decrees made by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines in cases involving the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws, treaties, titles, rights, or
privileges, as well as cases with a value in dispute over $25,000 or cases concerning real
estate worth more than $25,000. These judgments and decrees can be appealed in a
manner similar to the process used for final judgments in U.S. Circuit Courts.
Section 12
All property and rights acquired by the United States in the Philippines under the
1898 treaty of peace with Spain, except for land or property reserved for military and
government use, are now under the control of the Philippine government for the
benefit of its people, subject to this Act's provisions.
Section 13
The Philippine government can categorize and create rules for the lease, sale, or
use of public lands, except timber or mineral lands, based on their agricultural
qualities and productivity. However, these rules need the approval of the President and
must be submitted to Congress in the next session. If Congress does not disapprove or
change them during that session, they will become law in the Philippines. Each
homestead entry can't exceed sixteen (16) hectares.
Section 14
The Philippine government can create rules and conditions to help individuals
secure their title to public lands in the Philippines. This applies to those who met
some or all of the conditions required by Spanish laws and royal decrees for land ownership
before the transfer of sovereignty from Spain to the U.S., even if they didn't receive the
title. The Philippine Commission can issue patents at no cost to native Filipinos for up to
sixteen (16) hectares of public lands that were occupied by them or their ancestors before
August 13, 1898.
Section 15
The Philippine government is authorized to provide portions of public land,
except timber and mineral lands, to actual occupants, settlers, and citizens of the
Philippines. Individuals can get up to sixteen (16) hectares, while corporations or
associations can purchase up to one thousand and twenty-four (1024) hectares. However,
the grant or sale comes with conditions. The land must be occupied, improved, and
cultivated for at least five years, and during this time, it cannot be sold or used as
collateral. This rule doesn't apply to inheritance rights under estate distribution laws.
Section 16
When granting or selling public land, priority will be given to current occupants
and settlers. The government cannot sell land occupied by a native of the Philippines to
anyone else without the prior occupant's consent. However, this priority only applies to a
maximum of sixteen (16) hectares in a single tract when the occupant can't provide any
other proof of ownership aside from possession.
Section 17
Timber, trees, forests, and forest products on government-leased lands in the Philippines
can only be used with the government's permission and following its rules. All money
from leasing public land and issuing timber-cutting licenses will be placed in the
Insular Treasury. These funds can only be used for insular purposes as determined by the
law.
Section 18
The existing forest laws and regulations in the Philippines will remain in effect with
potential changes by the Philippine government. Public lands with timber cannot be
sold, leased, or used until the government, with the Forestry Bureau's
certification, declares them suitable for agriculture. The government can issue licenses
to cut timber and harvest forest products on public lands as per these laws and regulations.
It can also lease land, up to four (4) hectares, for a mill site and grant access rights to
those with such licenses.
Section 19
The right to use water in the Philippines is determined by its beneficial use, and the
government can create rules and regulations regarding water use. It can also reserve
public lands to safeguard the water supply and other public interests, as long as
these actions do not contradict the terms of this Act and are in the public's best
interest.
Section 20
All public lands in the Philippines that contain valuable minerals will be reserved and
cannot be sold, unless a specific law directs otherwise.
Section 21
All valuable mineral deposits in public lands in the Philippines, whether surveyed or
unsurveyed, are open for exploration, occupation, and purchase by citizens of the
United States or the Philippines. However, if mineral deposits are discovered on
agricultural lands occupied under this Act (but not yet patented), the mining of these
deposits is not allowed until the occupant has paid the government an additional
amount to match the government's charges for these mineral claims.
Section 86
All laws enacted by the Philippine government will be reported to Congress, which can
annul them. The Philippine Commission must annually report its financial
transactions to the Secretary of War.
 WAS THE
PHILIPPINE
ORGANIC ACT
SIGNIFICANT OR
NOT?
THANK
YOU
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Primary Source
The Philippine Organic Act provided for the creation of an
elected Philippine Assembly after the following conditions
were met:
1. The cessation of the existing insurrection in the Philippine
Islands
2. Completion and publication of census
The Philippine Organic Act provided for the creation of an elected
Philippine Assembly after the following conditions were met:

1. The cessation of the existing insurrection in the Philippine Islands

2. Completion and publication of census
3. Two years of continued peace and recognition of the authority of the
United States of America after the publication of the census
The Philippine Organic Act provided for the creation of an elected
Philippine Assembly after the following conditions were met:

3.
This act granted several rights to Filipinos and allowed them to have the
privilege of sending two non-voting resident commissioners to the U.S.
Congress starting in 1907. Pablo Ocampo and Benito Legarda are the
first appointees of this role.
Additionally, the law also addressed important issues related to natural
resources, their usage, and the conservation of the Philippines.