The Commonwealth had its own constitution, which remained effective until 1973,[REF] and was self-governing[REF] although foreign policy and military affairs would be under the responsibility of the United States, and certain legislation required the approval of the American president.
During the 1935-41 period, the Commonwealth of the Philippines featured a very strong executive, a unicameral National Assembly, and a Supreme Court,[REF] all composed entirely of Filipinos, as well as an elected Resident Commissioner to the United States House of Representatives (as Puerto Rico does today).