<figure class="image-550">
  <img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-30/7-wise-men.webp" alt="Delegates in formal white suits seated in a grand hall during the 1934 Philippine Constitutional Convention while a speaker addresses the assembly from the podium." loading="lazy" />
  <figcaption>Delegates gathered during the 1934 Philippine Constitutional Convention Assembly in Manila.</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>
Historical Context: The Path to the Commonwealth
</h2>

<p>
The drafting of the 1935 Constitution was set in motion by the passage of the <a href="/articles/2966/the-tydings-mcduffie-act-a-path-to-philippine-independence-was-enacted-on-march-24-1934" class="news_link">Tydings-McDuffie Act</a> (also known as the Philippine Independence Act) by the United States Congress on <time datetime="1934-03-24">March 24, 1934</time>. The law provided for a 10-year transition period under a Commonwealth government, culminating in full Philippine independence on <time datetime="1946-07-04">July 4, 1946</time>.
</p>
<p>
To meet the prerequisites set by the U.S. Congress, the law required the Filipino people to draft and adopt their own constitution. Key stipulations included:
</p>

<ul class="k-list">
<li>
Establishing a republican form of government.
</li>
<li>
Including a comprehensive Bill of Rights.
</li>
<li>
Ensuring compliance with U.S. sovereignty over defense, foreign affairs, and finance during the Commonwealth era.
</li>
</ul>

<p>
On <strong><time datetime="1934-07-10">July 10, 1934</time></strong>, elections were held across the Philippine archipelago to choose 202 delegates. On <strong><time datetime="1934-07-30">July 30, 1934</time></strong>, the Constitutional Convention formally convened at the Legislative Building in Manila, electing statesman and scholar <a href="/kauswagan/articles/921/today-in-philippine-history-february-8-1890-claro-m-recto-was-born-in-tiaong-tayabas" class="news_link">Claro M. Recto</a> as President of the Convention.
</p>
<h2>
Why the "Committee of Seven" Was Formed
</h2>
<p>
To systematically manage the drafting process, President Claro M. Recto initially organized the convention into 7 procedural committees and 40 substantive committees. Over the course of August and September 1934, these committees submitted dozens of disjointed, overlapping, and sometimes contradictory reports on various governmental sectors.
</p>
<p>
With 202 delegates debating individual proposals on the convention floor, progress stalled, threatening to delay the constitution beyond the timeframe envisioned by political leaders. Recognizing that a smaller, highly qualified committee was needed to reconcile these reports and author a unified constitution, the Convention passed a resolution on <strong><time datetime="1934-10-09">October 9, 1934</time></strong>, authorizing the creation of a special drafting subcommittee: <strong>The Committee of Seven</strong>.
</p>



1935 Philippine Constitution: The Committee of Seven

Explore the history of October 9, 1934, when seven Filipino statesmen were chosen to draft the 1935 Constitution under the Tydings-McDuffie Act.

October 9, 1934: a Committee of Seven were appointed to draft the 1935 Constitution