QuestionsQuestions (Acts No. 4200)
To submit the 1935 Philippine Constitution (with its appended Ordinance) to the Filipino people for ratification or rejection, appropriate funds for the plebiscite, and provide for other necessary purposes.
On Tuesday, May 14, 1935.
Qualified voters voted either for ratification or rejection of the Constitution by casting ballots for 'YES' (ratification) or 'NO' (rejection).
The Constitution (in English and Spanish) had to be published in the Official Gazette for at least three consecutive issues, at least 15 days before the election; printed copies had to be posted in each municipal/provincial government office building and each polling place no later than April 22, 1935, and kept there continuously until after the election.
At least ten copies at each polling place, available for examination on election day.
Whenever practicable, copies in the principal local dialects would also be kept at each polling place, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior.
The provisions of the Election Law on holding special elections were declared applicable insofar as they were not inconsistent with Acts No. 4200.
Political parties, branches or fractions thereof, or political groups that polled votes in the preceding general election in each municipality could appoint watchers—two watchers per such group.
Acts and omissions penalized by the Election Law committed during the holding of the election or in connection therewith would be punished with the penalties prescribed by the Election Law.
Under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, provincial boards had to form election precincts in every municipality or municipal district, designate polling places, and appoint election inspectors and poll clerks with their respective substitutes.
On April 22 and 23, 1935, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All judicial proceedings had to be filed no later than April 30, 1935, and be finally decided on or before May 9, 1935.
It was held on May 11, 1935 for the purpose specified in Section 439 of the Election Law.
Ballots were to be printed in English and Spanish and conform to a prescribed form identifying the question for ratification or rejection and giving instructions to write 'YES' for ratification and 'NO' for rejection (including corresponding Spanish text).
It reflects the Tydings-McDuffie Act: if a majority votes for the Constitution, it is deemed an expression of the will in favor of independence; if a majority votes against, the existing government continues without regard to the Act.
Boards of inspectors prepared only four copies of the returns: one deposited in the ballot box and three delivered to the proper municipal treasurer, who then forwarded copies by registered mail to the Secretary of the Senate, Secretary of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Interior.
Within 30 days after the election, presiding officers of both Houses requested the Governor-General to call a special session to canvass returns and certify the result to the Governor-General, including the statement of votes cast and a copy of the Constitution with the Ordinance appended thereto.
Three hundred fifty thousand pesos (or so much thereof as necessary) for election-related expenses, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
Expenses necessary for printing, publication, posting, and free distribution of five hundred thousand copies of the Constitution with the Ordinance appended thereto, in English and Spanish and, whenever practicable, in principal local dialects.