Question & AnswerQ&A (Acts No. 4200)
The primary purpose of Acts No. 4200 is to submit the Constitution of the Philippines, with the appended Ordinance, for ratification or rejection by the Filipino people through an election scheduled for May 14, 1935.
The election was held on Tuesday, May 14, 1935.
The Constitution with the Ordinance must be published in the Official Gazette in both English and Spanish for at least three consecutive issues starting at least 15 days before the election.
Printed copies of the Constitution and Ordinance, in English and Spanish, must be posted conspicuously at every municipal and provincial government office and polling place by April 22, 1935, and kept available during the election day. Copies in principal local dialects should also be kept whenever practicable.
Acts and omissions penalized by the Election Law committed during or in connection with the election shall be punished with the penalties prescribed by the Election Law.
Watchers are appointed by political parties, branches or fractions thereof, or political groups that polled votes in the preceding general election in each municipality at a rate of two watchers per such party or group.
Existing boards of election inspectors were to meet on April 22 and 23, 1935, for registration of new voters and revision of voter lists.
Judicial proceedings must be filed not later than April 30, 1935, and decided on or before May 9, 1935.
Voters are to write the word "YES" in the blank space to vote for ratification or "NO" to vote for rejection of the Constitution with the Ordinance appended thereto.
The Secretary of the Interior supervises the printing, publication, posting, and free distribution of 500,000 copies of the Constitution with the Ordinance in English, Spanish, and, when practicable, in principal local dialects.
A sum of 350,000 pesos, or as much as necessary, was appropriated from the Insular Treasury to cover expenses incurred in the election, including payments to election inspectors and poll clerks, printing and distribution of the Constitution, and other related costs subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
Boards of inspectors must prepare four copies of the election returns; one deposited in the ballot box for valid ballots and three copies delivered to the municipal treasurer who will forward them to the Secretaries of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Interior.
Within 30 days after the election, the presiding officers of both Houses of the Philippine Legislature shall request the Governor-General to convene a special session to canvass the returns and certify the results, including a statement of votes and a copy of the Constitution with the Ordinance.
A majority vote in favor is deemed an expression of the will of the Filipino people for Philippine independence.
If a majority votes against the Constitution, the existing Government of the Philippine Islands continues unaffected by this Act.