You should learn a bit more about how the US Commonwealths work, and the history behind them.
The Philippines were in a much more precarious position then Cuba was. Relatively isolated, it was much larger then Cuba, and made up of seperate islands that still held onto tribal identities. If they had been given independence as fast as Cuba, it would quickly have been gobbled up by Germany, Japan, England, or some other nation.
In 1899, President McKinley appointed the First Philippine Comission. They concluded that while the Philippines desired it's independence, it was not yet ready for it. It recommended the establishment of the first Legislature, autonimous provincial and local government, and the foundation of the Philippine education system.
In 1900, the Second Philippine Comission (headed by William Taft) led to the establishment of the full legislature, a legal system and the establishment of the Supreme Court, and a limited Executive branch. At this time, Kaiser Wilhelm started to make demands that the former Spanish colonies be turned over to Germany. President McKinley rejected those demands.
To military historians, this is an interesting period in history. Germany came very close to declairing war with the United States over this issue. The Kaiser ordered his war staff to prepare plans for a war with the US if they did not turn over the former Spanish colonies. While nothing ever became of it, the plans were completed and war games were held to test their viability. And while a few books have been written about it (1901 by Robert Conroy being one), Operational Plan Three was never enacted.
Operational Plan Three - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meanwhile, independence for the Philippines continued. The Philippine Organic Act in 1902, and the Jones Act in 1916 gave ever increasing power to the Philippine people, and moved the US to more of an advisory role. This finally led to the Tydings-McDuffie Act (officially the Philippine Independence Act) of 1934, which established the 10 year timeline for total independence.
By 1934, the Governor-General office was abolished, and the High Comissioner was established. This was largely a ceremonial position, and was a precursor for the eventual Ambassadorship.
The other position formed was Field Marshal of the Philippines (officially the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines). This position was given to the President of the Philippines to be filled (President Quezon), and he chose retired Major General Douglas McArthur to fill it. General McArthur held the post for 4 years, until the outbreak of war with Japan.
The position of Field Marshal was advisory. General McArthur's job was to organize and oversee the training of the Philippine Armed Forces. This was a job he took very seriously.
By 1934, the Philippines was an American Comonwealth. This is not a colony, but a formal recognition that a state is tied to the US voluntarily. It is currently the same position as Puerto Ricoand the Northern Marianna Islands. This is similar to the position of unincorporated territories, like Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands.
The differences between Commonwealth (or incorporated territories) and unincorporated is purely internal, and decided by the territories. They can chose to incorporate and become a Commonwealth, retain their current status, or become independent. They are not considered to be US Citizens under the Constitution, but have been given US Citizenship by Congressional Decree. They also have no representation in Congress.
Commonwealth citizens are considered to be American citizens by birth by the Constitution. They have a non-voting member of Congress, and can choose to either remain a Commonwealth, become independent, or become a state.
And this year, the final "50 State Quarters" are released. However, this actually brings the total up to 56, not 50. 2008 saw the last State quarters. This year, the quarters released were District Of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, American Virgin Islands, and Northern Marianna Islands.
These are most assuredly
not "colonies". A colony has no self-government, and exist at the whim of their parent country. The choice of independence is not in their own hands, and they are not citizens of their parent country. Our territories and commonwealths have free choice as to what they want to do with their futures.
I have served and still serve with a great many people from these regions. My former neighbor was in the Navy, who enlisted from the Philippines under a former program that allowed limited Philippine enlistment into the US Navy. And over the years I have served with a great many from Puerto Rico. 2 of them I work with now. And one girl I am currently serving with is from the Northern Marianna Islands. She even took her 2 week R&R leave there (which was an adventure she said, having to go through Kuwait, Afganistan, and Australia before getting home).
