JC, since you mentioned that the Philippines was granted independence by the Japanese in 1943, I'll expand on it a bit.
Filipinos at that time recognized that the government installed by the Japanese was a puppet. The money issued at that time was called Mickey Mouse money because it was considered worthless. In fact, the Chief Justice, Jose Abad Santos, was executed by the Japanese for refusing to cooperate with them. The puppet government at that time was led by Jose P. Laurel, who was said to be tasked by Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon to take care of the government apparatus and attempt to minimize whatever the Japanese attempted. The Japanese also tried to force Laurel, who was an Associate Supreme Court Justice, to have the Philippines declare war on the US but he adamantly refused.
Even while working with the Japanese, Laurel was also secretly coordinating with the Filipino underground as per Quezon's instructions. However, not all guerilla units knew this and an attempt was made on his life while he was playing golf.
The Japanese captured three of the shooters and executed two of them. The third shooter survived when a recovered Laurel told the Japanese he couldn't remember if the guy they caught was among those who attacked him. After the war, it turned out that this guy was actually among Laurel's attackers.
When the Americans returned to the Philippines, the Japanese brought Laurel and his family to Japan.
After the war, Laurel was returned to the Philippines and was charged as a collaborator. He was never tried because of a general amnesty issued by the Philippine government.
Laurel was later elected to the Philippine Senate, which he considered as his vindication for his wartime record. In addition, his presidency is recognized in our history. He is considered as first President of the Second Philippine Republic.