The 1943 Philippine Constitution

The 1943 Constitution was the constitution of the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic of the Philippines (1943-1945). It was recognized as legitimate and binding only in Japanese-controlled areas of the Philippines but was ignored by the United States government and the Philippine Commonwealth government in-exile. In June 1943, the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence (PCPI), composed of 20 delegates, was created to draft a new constitution by the KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas)], the only political organization allowed at that time. The Japanese monitored the drafting of the constitution and instructed the members of PCPI, led by Jose P. Laurel, that the constitution should conform with the principles of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. In September 1943, the draft constitution was unanimously approved by all members of the PCPI and was submitted for ratification in a popular convention of the KALIBAPI in Manila.