1901 Constitution

The 1901 Constitution of the Philippines was the country's first fundamental law established during American colonial rule. It created a government modeled after the U.S., with a bicameral Congress, a president, and a judiciary. It guaranteed civil liberties, rights, and some local autonomy through a system of provinces. However, it limited Filipino independence, maintained American control over foreign policy and military affairs, and excluded certain groups from full political participation. The constitution aimed to balance American interests with Filipino aspirations, laying the legal groundwork for the nation’s governance until it was replaced in 1935.