Construction of the " Old Legislative / Legislature / Congress Building / Palace ", in Ermita, was started a hundred years ago. From 1926-1972, also 1987-1997, it was home to various legislative bodies of the Philippine government.


This " first day cover " marks the inauguration of the " Legislative Palace " with the first ever commemorative stamps issued in the Philippines :-





In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was proclaimed, and the inauguration ceremonies for President Manuel Quezon were held outside the building that year :-





This " first day cover " shows stamps illustrating " The Temples of Human Progress ", to commemorate the establishment of the Commonwealth :-





In World War II, Japanese forces bombed and virtually destroyed the building, seen here in August 1944 :-






Reconstruction began in 1949, and it became known as the Congress Building. It is seen here in the 1970s :-






Twenty years ago it was handed over to the National Museum of the Philippines and it presently houses the National Art Gallery. It had originally been intended as the National Library - according to Burnham’s Plan of Manila.