These banknotes date from 1936, and are signed by Manuel Quezon, President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines :-








The Commonwealth was inaugurated on November 15 1935. It was the result of efforts to secure a definitive timetable for withdrawal of US sovereignty over the country. Because of World War II, the Philippines did not become a Republic until July 4 1946. This " first day cover " commemorated the event :-





Here is another of the " English series " of banknotes issued after independence, signed by President Quirino ( who succeeded Roxas ) :-






More recently, the Central Bank of the Philippines issued 300,000 pieces of this P 2,000 banknote in 1998 – which was legal tender. ( Possibly the world’s largest legal tender note, 14" X 8.5 ", for P 100,000, was also issued, in very limited numbers, in 1998 ).

It features President Estrada taking his oath of office ( June 1998 ) in Barasoain Church, together with the scroll of the Malolos Constitution and the seal of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas :-








On the reverse is the re-enactment of the declaration of Philippine Independence at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, by President Ramos ( earlier in June 1998 ) :-