Jones Law (Philippines)

The Jones Law, formally known as the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, was an Act of the United States Congress that replaced the Organic Act of 1902 as the framework of governance for the Philippines. Its long title was "An Act to declare the purpose of the people of the United States as to the future political status of the people of the Philippine Islands, and to provide a more autonomous government for those islands."

The Jones Law modified the structure of the Philippine government, removing the Philippine Commission (an appointed body) and replacing it with a bicameral Philippine Legislature. This legislature consisted of a Senate, whose members were elected from senatorial districts (with the exception of those representing non-Christian areas who were appointed by the Governor-General), and a House of Representatives, whose members were elected from legislative districts.

The Act explicitly stated that the purpose of the United States was to grant independence to the Philippines as soon as a stable government could be established. While the Jones Law did not specify a timeline for independence, it committed the United States to that eventual goal.

The law expanded Filipino participation in government. Although the Governor-General, appointed by the U.S. President, retained significant executive power, the establishment of an elected legislature provided Filipinos with greater control over the legislative process. The Act also contained a bill of rights guaranteeing fundamental rights to Filipinos.

The Jones Law remained the governing framework for the Philippines until the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act in 1934, which provided for a ten-year transition period towards full independence. This transition period commenced with the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935.