<P> The 1987 Constitution declares Filipino as the national language of the country . Filipino and English are the official languages, with the recognition of the regional languages as auxiliary official in their respective regions, including Aklanon, Bikol, Cebuano, Chavacano, Hiligaynon, Ibanag, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kapampangan, Kinaray - a, Maguindanao, Maranao, Pangasinan, Sambal, Surigaonon, Tagalog, Tausug, Waray, and Yakan . Spanish and Arabic are to be promoted on an optional and voluntary basis . </P> <P> Spanish was the national and official language of the country for more than three centuries under Spanish colonial rule, and became the lingua franca of the Philippines in the 19th and early 20th centuries . In 1863, a Spanish decree introduced universal education, creating free public schooling in Spanish . It was also the language of the Philippine Revolution, and the 1899 Malolos Constitution effectively proclaimed it as the official language of the First Philippine Republic . National hero José Rizal wrote most of his works in Spanish . Luciano de la Rosa established that Spanish was spoken by a total of 60% of the population in the early 20th century as a first, second or third language . Following the American occupation of the Philippines and the imposition of English, the use of Spanish declined gradually, especially after the 1940s . </P> <P> Under the U.S. occupation and civil regime, English began to be taught in schools . By 1901, public education used English as the medium of instruction . Around 600 educators (called "Thomasites") who arrived in that year aboard the USAT Thomas replaced the soldiers who also functioned as teachers . The 1935 Constitution added English as an official language alongside Spanish . A provision in this constitution also called for Congress to "take steps toward the development and adoption of a common national language based on one of the existing native languages ." On November 12, 1937, the First National Assembly created the National Language Institute . President Manuel L. Quezón appointed native Waray speaker Jaime C. De Veyra to chair a committee of speakers of other regional languages . Their aim was to select a national language among the other regional languages . Ultimately, Tagalog was chosen as the base language December 30, 1937, on the basis that it was the most widely spoken and developed local language . </P> <P> In 1939, President Manuel L. Quezón renamed the Tagalog language as Wikang Pambansa ("national language" in English translation). The language was further renamed in 1959 as Pilipino by Secretary of Education Jose Romero . The 1973 constitution declared the Pilipino language to be co-official, along with English, and mandated the development of a national language, to be known as Filipino . In addition, Spanish regained its official status when President Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 155, s . 1973 . </P>

When did english become the official language of the philippines