 Manila , being the seat of political power of the Philippines , has several national government offices headquartered at the city . Planning for the development for being the center of government started during the early years of American colonization to the country when they envisioned a well @-@ designed city outside the walls of <unk> . The strategic location chosen was <unk> , a former town which is now the <unk> Park to become the center of government and a design commission was given to Daniel <unk> to create a master plan for the city patterned after Washington <unk> .. These improvements were eventually abandoned under the Commonwealth Government of Manuel L. <unk> . 
