The coat of arms of the Philippines Commonwealth
Inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth (15 November 1935)
Today’s feature highlights the coat of arms of the Philippine Commonwealth, adopted on 6 November 1935 under Act No. 4258, approved by then-Governor-General Frank Murphy. The coat of arms depicts a shield divided into two vertical halves, incorporating the colors and symbols of the Philippine flag. At the top (chief) are three stars equidistant from each other. Within the shield is a smaller shield displaying the arms of Manila, featuring a golden castle representing Spain and a golden sea lion holding a sword hilt in its paw. The crest showcases an American eagle, and beneath the shield is a scroll inscribed with the words “Commonwealth of the Philippines.”
On this day, the Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated, with Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña Sr. serving as president and vice president, respectively. Under the Tydings-McDuffie Act, the Philippines entered a transitional government period to prepare for full independence. The election of Quezon and Osmeña marked a significant milestone, as they were the first Filipinos to serve as heads of government—a product of the nation’s efforts toward self-governance.
The inauguration took place on the steps of the Legislative Building in Manila, drawing a crowd of 300,000 people.