BRIDGING THE GAP
The Philippine government under the Japanese
After Manila became an occupied city, Gen. Masaharu Homma, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Philippines, issued a proclamation announcing the end of the American rule in the country and the purpose of the Japanese expedition. This was on January 3, 1942 and reiterated the avowed aim of the Japanese occupation to emancipate the Filipinos from the oppressive domination of the United States and letting them establish "the Philippines for the Filipinos".
On January 23, 1942, General Homma issued an order re-naming the national government as Central Administrative Organization, headed by a Chairperson. The Chairperson of the Executive Commission was assisted by the Council of State. Jorge B. Vargas was appointed by Homma as the Chairperson of the said Commission. The Central Administrative Organization was composed of six executive departments: Interior, Agriculture and Commerce, Communications, Education, Finance, Justice, Health and Public Welfare, and Public Works and Communications. Each of these departments was under a Commissioner whose task was to "execute an administration within his jurisdiction under the control of the Chairman of the Executive Commission."
It must be pointed out that the powers and prerogatives of the Commissioners were limited by the fact that each department had a Japanese adviser and assistant adviser. Furthermore, Vargas' recommendation for the Commissionership of any department or for any subordinate position had first to be approved by General Homma. What can be taken from this set-up is that the Japanese advisers were nothing more than the eyes and ears of the Japanese military authorities.
The organization of each department and the courts of justice remained essentially the same as during the Commonwealth period but their general programs of work had to be approved by General Homma. The provincial and municipal levels also remained on status quo.
The Japanese made the Filipinos believed that Japan's intention was to see the Philippines become a Republic. Thus, as early as January 21, 1942, the Premier of Japan, Hideki Tozyo, stated in an address before the Japanese Imperial Diet, that "Japan will gladly grant the Philippines its independence so long as it cooperates and recognizes Japan's program of establishing a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."
On January 20, 1943, Jorge Vargas pledged support of the Filipinos in the attainment of independence. On June 18, the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI) was instructed to form the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence. On January 20, the KALIBAPI announced the composition of the body with Jose P. Laurel as president and Benigno Aquino and Ramon Avanceña as vice-presidents.
What followed was the preparation of the draft of the prepared Constitution which was approved on September 4 and ratified by a convention two days later. The new Constitution provided for a unicameral National Assembly whose members were immediately chosen and who elected Laurel as president of the future Republic. This was on October 14, 1943.