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Mary Grace Abarquez

(Jones Law) The Philippine Organic Law: Act of Congress of August 29, 1916

By 64th Congress Of The United States Of America

Title [Jones Law] The Philippine Organic Law: Act of Congress of August 29, 1916

Original author 64th Congress Of The United States Of America

Original date of document August 29 1916

Original place of publication Manila, Philippines

Publisher Bureau Of Printing

The Philippine Organic Law (Act of Congress of August 29, 1916), commonly known as the "Jones Law" or Philippine

Autonomy Act of 1916, formally declares the intention of the United States to withdraw their sovereignty over

the Philippines after the establishment of a stable government in the islands. It provides for a framework for the

creation of an autonomous government, where Filipinos can exercise a large amount of control over their domestic

affairs, in preparation for the complete grant of independence by the United States Government. It creates a

bicameral Philippine Legislature composed of a Senate (upper house) and a House of Representatives (lower

house), which is vested with general legislative powers that includes exclusive legislative jurisdiction and authority

exercised by the Philippine Commission. Upon the organization of the legislative body and every three (3) years

thereafter, the members shall choose two (2) Resident Commissioners to the United States to represent the

Philippines in the U.S. Congress. The Governor-General of the Philippine Islands, Vice Governor, Chief Justice and

Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, the Insular Auditor and Deputy Auditor are appointed by the U.S. President.

This act also contains a bill of rights, provisions on citizenship and naturalization, qualifications of voters, and the

power of the government to grant franchises.

The original text of the "Jones Bill" by Representative William A. Jones -- chairman of the Committee on Insular

Affairs of the US House of Representatives -- provided for a provisional government with an assurance of full

independence for the Philippines on 4 July 1921. The bill passed the House of Representatives on 14 October 1914

with minimal changes. It was approved by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on 29 August 1916.

Accordingly, The Jones Law has this content

Section 26.The Judiciary(a) Jurisdiction of courts and appointment of judges.That the Supreme Court and the Courts ofFirst Instance of the Philippine Islands shall possess and exercise jurisdiction as heretoforeprovided and such additional jurisdiction as shall hereafter be prescribed by law. The municipalcourts of said Islands shall possess and exercise jurisdiction as now provided by law, subject inall matters to such alteration and amendment as may be hereafter enacted by law; and the chief

justice and associate justices of the supreme court shall hereafter be appointed by the President,by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States. The judges of the court offirst instance shall be appointed by the Governor-General, by and with the advice and consent ofthe Philippine Senate: Provided, That the admiralty jurisdiction of the supreme court and courts offirst instance shall not be changed except by act of Congress. That in all cases pending under theoperation of existing laws, both criminal and civil, the jurisdiction shall continue until final

judgment and determination.( The Jones Law of 1916, August 29, 1916 [Public, No. 240] Official Gazette)Section 27.Cases Appealable to the United States Supreme Court

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That the Supreme Court of the United States shall have jurisdiction to review, revise, reverse,modify, or affirm the final judgments and decrees of the supreme court of the Philippine Islands inall actions, cases, causes, and proceedings now pending therein or hereafter determined therebyin which the Constitution or any statute, treaty, title, right or privilege of the United States isinvolved, or in causes in which the value in controversy exceeds $25,000, or in which the title orpossession of real estate exceeding in value the sum of $25,000, to be ascertained by the oath of

either party or of other competent witnesses, is involved or brought in question; and such finaljudgments or decrees may and can be reviewed, revised, modified, or affirmed by said SupremeCourt of the United States on appeal or writ of error by the party aggrieved within the same time,in the same manner, under the same regulation, and by the same procedure, as far as applicable,as the final judgments and decrees of the district courts of the United States. .( The Jones Law of1916, August 29, 1916 [Public, No. 240] Official Gazette)

Section 29 Of the Jones Law of 1916 provides the salaries of the Chief Justice of the SupremeCourt and its Associate Justice

(b) Salaries of certain officers.The annual salaries of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,$8,000; Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, $7,500 each;. The Jones Law of 1916, Section 29(b))[Public, No. 240] Official Gazette