This document is the official submission from the U.S.-appointed Governor General of the Philippine Islands to the President and Congress of the United States, detailing the state of the islands for the fiscal year 1926. The report reflects a contentious period of U.S. administration, specifically the latter part of Governor General Leonard Wood’s tenure, which was defined by constitutional conflicts with the Filipino-controlled legislature over the scope of autonomy granted by the Jones Act (1916) and the executive's role, particularly concerning the contentious Board of Control. The report outlines the administration's efforts to stabilize government finances, noting the achievement of a substantial cash surplus through a policy of rigid economy, even after addressing losses from the Philippine National Bank. It provides detailed summaries from the executive departments on subjects such as public education, trade and communications, and law and order, highlighting progress in public health, including the eradication of a cholera outbreak and a progressive new plan for anti-leprosy work. As a U.S. House Document (No. 99, 70th Congress, 1st Session), the report served as a primary source of information for the American government concerning the political and economic landscape of its largest colonial possession in Asia.
Annual Report of the Governor General of the Philippine Islands 1926