- The 1943 Philippine Constitution: Jose P. Laurel, appointed president of the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence—and relying on his long experience in government and his role in framing the 1935 Constitution—took the lead in crafting the 1943 Constitution, whose transitory provisions underscored its temporary nature. As Dr. Ricardo T. Jose writes, “The ensuing 1943 constitution established a republican government with a strong executive, which Laurel felt was important for that time, for more direct action. It stressed the duties and obligations of the people rather than their rights and privileges, so as to mobilize the nation so that it may survive during the emergency period. This constitution, however, was categorically temporary, until the end of the war. Once peaceful conditions were restored, the transitory provisions of the constitution clearly stated that a new one would be promulgated to suit the times.” Laurel had played an extremely prominent role in the drafting of the 1935 Constitution. The 1943 Constitution, was heavily influenced by the 1935 Charter, but can also be said to have reflected more of the political ideas of Laurel than the prewar constitution, which the Japanese refused to recognize.
- Philippine Capitals during the Second Republic: During the Second Republic, a total of three different cities were designated as the seat of Philippine government—the city of Manila, the city of Baguio, and the city of Nara in Japan. Learn more about the different capitals, administrative and political centers, of the Philippines over the years.
- The Philippine Flag during the Second Republic: For a short period during the Second World War, two versions of the Philippine flag existed. The flag above was the one used by the Second Philippine Republic, which was established in the islands under the auspices of the Empire of Japan, with Jose P. Laurel serving as President. The flag was raised by former President Emilio Aguinaldo and General Artemio Ricarte during the inaugural of the Second Republic on October 14, 1943. However, on December 13, 1943, President Laurel issued Executive Order No. 17, s. 1943, which restored the 1936 design of the Philippine flag.
- Presidential Foreign Trips: President Laurel had a total of four foreign trips during his presidency—which includes the trip to Japan on July 1946 to formally dissolve the Japanese-sponsored Philippine republic. Learn more about Presidential foreign trips from 1935 to the present.
- Malacañan Palace: Learn more about President Laurel’s short residence at Malacañan Palace.
- Mansion House: On December 1944, President Jose P. Laurel and his party evacuated to the Mansion House (the President’s official Baguio City residence). Learn more about President Laurel’s stay at the Mansion House, from his memoirs.
- Memoirs: On President Laurel penning his memoirs at the Yokohama Prison House, as a prisoner of the United States. President Laurel improvised writing materials—he used the pages of The World in 2030 A.D. by the Earl of Birkenhead, his only allowed reading material, to write on.
- Other documents:
- Fifth Annual Report of the United States High Commissioner to the Philippine Islands November 12, 1942, United States Government Printing Office, 1943
- Report of the Philippine Executive Commission to Director, Japanese Military Administration by Chairman Jorge B. Vargas, 1943
- Army Service Forces Manual M354-18C Civil Affairs Handbook Section 18C: Japanese Administration of Occupied Areas — Philippine Islands, Headquarters Army Service Forces, July 31, 1944
- Possible Developments Resulting from the Granting of Amnesty to Accused Collaborators in the Philippines by the Central Intelligence Agency April 28, 1948
