essay about the three branches of philippine government

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Most of us are intimidated by technical terms, especially those that are related to law. The usual reaction is to ignore charters, bills, ordinances because the terms are convoluted. But understanding the law is very critical considering how outspoken the new generation is to social issues and injustices.

The Philippine government is a republic wherein the president is both the head of the state and the head of government. Under a presidential form of government, power is equally divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary. Separation of powers help the government maintain an organized framework.

Legislative

Legislation belongs to the Congress in terms of separation of power. The legislative branch has the authority to make, change, and revoke laws. This branch can confirm or reject presidential appointments and has the authority to declare war.

The legislative branch is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives which make up the Congress. The Senate has 24 Senators who are elected by the entire voting population while the House of Representatives (HoR) has around 250 members who are elected by legislative districts of their respective cities, provinces, and municipalities. The HoR is also composed of representatives elected through a party-list.

The executive branch implements and enforces laws. The branch is composed of the President, Vice President, Cabinet, executive departments (such as education, transportation, agriculture, etc), independent agencies, boards, commissions, and committees.

The President is the leader of the national government and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The President appoints his cabinet members upon confirmation of the Commission of Appointments.

The Vice President may or may not be a member of the President’s cabinet, but the Vice President supports the President. If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President takes over. Both of them have a six-year term but only the President cannot be reelected while the Vice President can be reelected once.

The judicial branch of the government is headed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is led by the Chief Justice as its head, and 14 associate justices who are appointed by the President based on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar council.

The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if a law violates the Constitution. This branch decides if there have been violations in ruling cases which causes lack or excess of authority or abuse of power by the government.

Getting acquainted with the three branches of the Philippine government is fundamental to understanding the system. Go back to this basic information when confusion sets in. There is no better fight than being armed with a full understanding of the laws that we are pushing for.

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What Are the 3 Branches of Government Philippines?

• by Amiel Pineda
• February 15, 2024 March 6, 2024

Key Takeaways

• The Executive Branch in the Philippines is headed by the President and is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
• The Legislative Branch consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which have the power to make laws and approve the national budget.
• The Judicial Branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and ensures fair application, upholding the rule of law.
• The three branches of government in the Philippines work together to govern the country, ensuring transparency, accountability, and equal justice for all.

Executive Branch

Legislative branch, powers and functions, structure and composition, judicial branch, executive power and responsibilities, term limits and qualifications, vice president, house of representatives, office of the ombudsman, how does the philippine government function and what are its branches.

The Philippines has a tripartite government consisting of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President is the head of the executive branch, while the Congress is the legislative branch, and the Supreme Court leads the judicial branch. Understanding the Philippines tourist visa requirements is essential for travelers planning to visit.

Local Government Officials

Frequently asked questions, what are the 3 branches of government power, what is the function of the executive branch in the philippines, is the philippines democratic or republic, what is the legislative power in the philippines.

Essay on Philippine Politics And Governance

Students are often asked to write an essay on Philippine Politics And Governance in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Philippine Politics And Governance

Introduction to philippine politics.

Philippine politics is a blend of democracy and a republic system. The Philippines is a democratic country, meaning the people have the power to choose their leaders. The republic part means that the country has a President, who is the head of state.

The Structure of Government

The Philippine government has three branches: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. The Executive branch is led by the President. The Legislative branch makes laws and is divided into two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Judicial branch interprets laws.

Role of the President

The President of the Philippines has a vital role. They are the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. They are responsible for implementing laws and maintaining peace and order.

The Election Process

Elections in the Philippines are held every six years. Citizens aged 18 and above can vote. They choose their leaders, including the President, Vice President, Senators, and Representatives. These leaders are expected to serve the people and the country.

Challenges in Philippine Politics

Understanding Philippine politics and governance is crucial. It helps us understand the country’s challenges and how they can be solved. It also helps us appreciate the role of citizens in shaping the nation’s future.

250 Words Essay on Philippine Politics And Governance

Politics in the Philippines is a complex subject. It is run as a democratic republic, which means the people have the power to choose their leaders. The President is the head of the state and the government.

Elections are important events in the Philippines. They happen every six years for the President and Vice President, and every three years for other officials. The people vote for their leaders, which is a way of saying who they want to run the country.

Political Parties

There are many political parties in the Philippines. These parties represent different views and ideas. They play a big role in the elections as they support their candidates and help them win.

Role of the Government

The government has a big job to do. It has to make laws, keep the peace, and make sure people have what they need. The government is divided into three parts: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial branches. Each has its own duties and powers.

Challenges in Governance

Philippine politics and governance are interesting to learn about. They show how people’s choices can shape a country. It also teaches us about the challenges of running a country and the importance of good leadership.

500 Words Essay on Philippine Politics And Governance

Introduction to philippine politics and governance.

Philippine politics and governance are interesting subjects. They are based on a democratic system, which means that the people have the power to choose their leaders. The Philippines has a president who is the head of the state, and also a prime minister who is the head of government.

The Political Structure

Political parties in the philippines.

In the Philippines, there are many political parties. These parties represent different beliefs and ideas about how the country should be run. During elections, these parties present candidates for the people to vote for. The party with the most votes usually takes control of the government.

Elections and Voting

Elections are very important in the Philippines. They are a way for people to choose their leaders and have a say in how their country is run. Voting is a right of all citizens who are 18 years old and above. During elections, people vote for their preferred candidates for various positions such as president, vice president, senators, and representatives.

Efforts for Improvement

Despite these challenges, there are efforts to improve the political system in the Philippines. Some people are working to fight corruption and promote good governance. There are also laws that aim to limit political dynasties and promote fair elections.

In conclusion, Philippine politics and governance are shaped by the democratic system, political parties, and elections. Although there are challenges such as corruption and political dynasties, there are also efforts to improve the system. Understanding these aspects can help us appreciate the importance of active participation in the political process.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Reflection Paper on Philippine Government (Three Branches)

People. A word that holds a great power in a democratic country. A word that should be treated and served with outmost dedication from its government. A word that should be perceived as precious like a diamond. But sadly, reality doesn't fits in with that narrative. Instead, it's a total opposite. The table is turned upside down and it greatly affects its main recipients of public service-People. During our first formal session, we discussed on the overview of Philippine Government and I was refreshed of our government's branches and its corresponding responsibilities. The different branches of the government is composed of the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch and Judicial Branch. These aforementioned branches plays a vital role in the operations and development of our country. First, the legislative branch is in charge to make, alter and repeal laws for the benefit of the public. This branch is composed of senators and representatives from the various districts. Second, the executive branch is responsible to carry out or execute the laws which consist of the president and the vice-president. Third, the judicial branch is in charge to interpret the laws and provide clear explanation of the laws. All along the whole session, I was a bit sad of the unfortunate reality that takes place in our beloved country. People is considered to be powerful but leaders dominate the operation of the country. Yes, they are called political leaders not political servants as they should. Their influence was vested by the people for it is for the people. Personally, I cannot consider mostly of our leaders as public servants. But on the brighter side, I've seen hope and a little light that may light up others in the darkness with all those outstanding exemplar in the service of Filipino people. They are catalyst of change and I've known them before due to their excellent service despite this difficult times as they deliver efficient services for the betterment of its localities. But somehow, this made me realized and asked myself, asking if I've did my part? With all these corruption and manipulation of the public, the thing is that, we people didn't really maximized our power to the fullest. This goes back to us and a clear reflection as we people didn't really take seriously the importance of voting the right servant on the position. In general, everything has its corresponding effect but what matters most is how we adjust, deal with the situation and doing our best to be a responsible citizen in this democratic country.

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The paper is a concise assessment and snapshot of Philippine governance under seven (7) presidents covering more than five (5) decades. It is hoped that the limitation of space and time does not render injustice in gauging the state of political governance in the country. The appraisal encompasses key governance areas, among others: transparency and accountability; electoral politics; political party system; political participation; and populist politics. The essay contends the following: the lengthy absence or inadequate mechanism and national policies in addressing transparency and accountability has not controlled nor resolved corruption in government; the country’s political institutions have been corroded by personality-based governance; political party system has been weakened by dynastic and clan-based electoral politics and non-principle/ideological based political parties; political participation has been hijacked by patronage politics and elitism; and populist politics has threatened and restricted rather than expanded democratic rule. Unless structural, political, and electoral reforms leading to a more empowered government structure, democratized electoral system, principle-and-ideologically based political party system, participative and dynamic civil society, and holistic governance are consistently and unswervingly instituted, society would consequently steer towards political decay and insulate the nation-state from the people it serves.

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Well over a decade has passed since the dramatic 'People Power Revolution' in Manila, yet until now no book-length study has emerged to examine the manifold changes underway in the Philippines in the post-Marcos era. This book fills that gap. Philippine Politics and Society in the Twentieth Century offers historical depth and sophisticated theoretical insight into contemporary life in the archipelago. Organised as a set of interrelated thematic essays rather than a chronological account, the book addresses key topics which will be of interest to the academic and non-academic reader, such as trends in national-level and local politics, the role of ethnic-Chinese capital in the Philippine economy, nationalism and popular culture, and various forms of political violence and extra-electoral contestation. Drawing on a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, as well as over a decade of research and work in the area, Hedman and Sidel provide an invaluable overview of the contemporary and historical scene of a much misunderstood part of Southeast Asia. This book fills an important gap in the literature for readers interested in understanding the Philippines as well as students of Asian studies, comparative politics, political economy and cultural studies.

Current History

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The ‘democracy’ brought about by people power is not working for the benefit of the majority of poor Filipinos. It has simply returned to power the clans and warlords that once dominated pre–martial-law politics. …

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The paper is an assessment of Philippine political development for over three (3) decades after the fall of Marcos authoritarian rule and the dawn of democratic regimes. Against the backdrop of conceptual and discussion of political development, Philippine political development was examined based on its recent past. It argues that the country’s continuing endeavour to chisel out its national and political advancement is contingent and cannot be divorced from its quest for and vision of national identity and sense of nationhood. It further contends that the political modernization of the country requires it to transcend the inchoate sense of national consciousness, rise above the traditional politicians’ and dynastic control of the electoral system; and go beyond the less inclusive governance. Towards the end, the paper identifies a three-fold challenge: One is drawing a unified approach in bringing together various ethnic, religious, and national groups into the Philippine nation-state. Two, combining political stability with political liberalization and democratization. Political liberalization advances economic growth and development rather than contributes to political instability. And three, transforming political culture and actual political relationships to a more egalitarian, less hierarchical, and further symmetrical relationship between groups of political actors.

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 The Philippine Administrative System must be understood as a synthesis of a never-ending dialectical process, involving the interplay of several factors and forces: our historical experiences, our cultural realities, our belief-systems, our ideology, and our collective aspirations. It is an evolving and on-going existential project by the Government, involving the creation, modification, and destruction of institutions, rule-making, etc., for the sole purpose of continuously trying to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people. The ultimate goal of PAS has always been our collective development. The PAS, in other words, is always a means to a higher end.  In this lecture, we will explore the dynamics and structures of power that influence, operationalize, and fuel Philippine Administrative System (PAS) as a field of study and praxis: 1) Structures and functions, to include internal systems and processes, of the various components and parts of the Philippine Government: 1.1. The Executive 1.2. The Legislative 1.3. The Judiciary 1.4. Constitutional Commissions 1.5. Constitutionally Mandated Special Bodies 1.6. Government Owned and Controlled Corporations 1.7. Chartered Institutions (created by Law) 1.8. Local Government Units (LGUs) 2) Power relations between and among the branches of the Government, focusing on law making and institution building.

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Introduction

The Republic of the Philippines sits on an archipelago in Southeast Asia and consists of 7,107 islands with a total area of 300,000 square kilometres. It is located at the intersection of several bodies of water: it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the north, the South China Sea in the west, the Sulu and Celebes Seas in the south, and the Philippine Sea in the east. Over 90 million people live on the islands, some 12 million of whom live in the capital region, Metro Manila. Most of the people on the islands are of the same racial stock as the Malays and the Indonesians, but a Chinese minority (around 1.5%) make up an influential part of the Philippine economy. There are eight major languages and close to a hundred dialects.

Constitutional history

The Philippines had long been used as a trading port in Asia, and this led to their colonization by the Spanish and later by the Americans. The Spanish converted most of the population to Catholicism and the religion remains the dominant one in the country. During the later part of more than 300 years of Spanish rule, nationalist sentiment began to grow among groups of Indios (which was how the Spanish referred to the Filipinos), fuelled in large measure by the writings of national hero Jose Rizal (later executed by the Spanish authorities) and other ilustrados (the Filipino intellegensia). A revolution was launched against Spain and the revolutionaries declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. What became known as the Malolos Congress was convened on September 15, 1898 and the first Philippine Constitution, called the Malolos Constitution, was approved on January 20, 1899, ushering what is called the First Philippine Republic. In the Spanish-American War of 1898, the revolutionaries sided with the Americans, hoping that, with the defeat of Spain, independence would be granted by the US to the Philippines. This, however, did not happen. After Spain ceded (or sold) the islands to the United States in the Treaty of Paris, the US immediately proceeded to brutally suppress the Philippine independence movement.

In 1916, the US passed the Jones Act which specified that independence would only be granted upon the formation of a stable democratic government modelled on the American model, not the French model as the previous constitution had been. The US approved a ten-year transition plan in 1934 and drafted a new constitution in 1935. World War II and the Japanese invasion on December 8, 1941, however, interrupted that plan. After heroic Filipino resistance against overwhelming odds finally ended with the fall of Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, a Japanese “republic” was established, in reality, a period of military rule by the Japanese Imperial Army. A new constitution was ratified in 1943 by Filipino collaborators who were called the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas (Kalibapi). An active guerilla movement continued to resist the Japanese occupation. The Japanese forces were finally defeated by the Allies in 1944 and this sorry chapter came to a close.

Philippine independence was eventually achieved on July 4, 1946. The 1935 Constitution, which featured a political system virtually identical to the American one, became operative. The system called for a President to be elected at large for a 4-year term (subject to one re-election), a bicameral Congress, and an independent Judiciary.

Independence to martial law

From the moment of independence, Filipino politics have been plagued by the twin demons of corruption and scandal. Notwithstanding, Presidents Ramon Magsaysay (1953-57), Carlos Garcia (1957-61), and Diosdado Macapagal (1961-65) managed to stabilize the country, implement domestic reforms, diversify the economy, and build Philippine ties not only to the United States, but also to its Asian neighbours.

Ferdinand Marcos was elected president in 1965 and was re-elected in 1969, the first president to be so re-elected. Desirous of remaining in power beyond his legal tenure, he declared martial law in 1972, just before the end of his second and last term, citing a growing communist insurgency as its justification. He then manipulated an ongoing Constitutional Convention and caused the drafting of a new constitution – the 1973 Constitution – which allowed him to rule by decree until 1978 when the presidential system of the 1935 Constitution was replaced with a parliamentary one. Under this new system, Marcos held on to power and continued to govern by decree, suppressing democratic institutions and restricting civil freedoms. In 1981, martial law was officially lifted, but Marcos continued to rule by the expedient of being “re-elected” in a farce of an election to a new 6-year term. He continued to suppress dissent and thousands of vocal objectors to his rule either mysteriously disappeared or were incarcerated. Despite economic decline, corruption allowed Marcos and his wife Imelda to live extravagantly, causing resentment domestically and criticism internationally.

The people’s choice

When opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated upon returning from exile in 1983, widespread outrage forced Marcos to hold “snap” elections a year early. The election was marked by fraud on the part of Marcos and his supporters but Marcos had himself declared the winner constitutionally, amidst international condemnation and nationwide domestic protests. A small band of military rebels tried to mount a coup, which failed because of its discovery, but this triggered what became internationally celebrated as the “People Power” revolution, when droves of people spilled out onto the streets to protect the rebels, eventually numbering well over a million. Under pressure from the United States, Marcos and his family fled into exile. His election opponent, Benigno Aquino Jr.’s widow Corazon, was installed as president on February 25, 1986.

The 1987 Constitution

Aquino began her term by repealing many of the Marcos-era regulations that had repressed the people for so long. In March, she issued a unilateral proclamation establishing a provisional constitution. This constitution gave the President broad powers and great authority, but Aquino promised to use them only to restore democracy under a new constitution. This new constitution was drafted in 133 days by an appointed Constitutional Commission of 48 members and ratified by the people in a plebiscite held on February 2, 1987. It was largely modelled on the American Constitution which had so greatly influenced the 1935 Constitution, but it also incorporated Roman, Spanish, and Anglo law.

The 1987 Constitution established a representative democracy with power divided among three separate and independent branches of government: the Executive, a bicameral Legislature, and the Judiciary. There were three independent constitutional commissions as well: the Commission on Audit, the Civil Service Commission, and the Commission on Elections. Integrated into the Constitution was a full Bill of Rights, which guaranteed fundamental civil and and political rights, and it provided for free, fair, and periodic elections. In comparison with the weak document that had given Marcos a legal fiction behind which to hide, this Constitution seemed ideal to many Filipinos emerging from 20 years of political repression and oppression.

Executive branch

The Executive branch is headed by the President and his appointed Cabinet. The President is the head of the state and the chief executive, but he is subject to significant checks from the other branches, especially in times of emergency, which, given the history of the country, was obviously intended to be a safeguard against a repeat of Marcos’ martial law despotism. For example, in cases of national emergency, the President can still declare martial law, but not for a period longer than 60 days. Congress can revoke this decision by a majority vote, or it can also extend it for a period to be determined by the Congress. Additionally, the Supreme Court can review the declaration to decide if there were sufficient facts to justify martial law. The President can grant pardons and amnesty. He is also empowered to make or accept foreign loans. He cannot, however, enter into treaties without the consent of the Senate. The President and Vice-President are elected at large by a direct vote, but the President may only serve one 6-year term. The Cabinet, consisting of the President’s advisers and heads of departments, is appointed by the President and it assists him in his governance functions.

Legislative branch

The legislative power is vested in a Congress which is divided into two Houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 24 members of the Senate are elected at large by a popular vote and can serve no more than two consecutive 6-year terms. The House is composed of 250 elected members. Most of these Representatives are elected by district for 3-year terms, but 20% of the total membership is chosen in proportion to party representation. Besides the exclusive power to legislate, one of the most important powers of Congress is the ability to declare war, which it can through a two-thirds vote in both houses. Even the power to legislate, however, is subject to an executive check. The President retains the power to veto a bill passed by both houses, and Congress may override this veto only with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Judicial branch

The Court system in the Philippines exercises the judicial power of government and it is made up of a Supreme Court and lower courts created by law. The Supreme Court is a 15-member court appointed by the President without need for confirmation by Congress. Appointment, however, is limited to a list of nominees presented to the President by a constitutionally-specified Judicial and Bar Council. This Council consists of 7 members: the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Justice, a representative from Congress, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector. The first four serve for four years, the law professor for three, the retired Justice for two, and the private sector representative for one year. The Supreme Court Justices may hear, on appeal, any cases dealing with the constitutionality of any law, treaty, or decree of the government, cases where questions of jurisdiction or judicial error are concerned, or cases where the penalty is sufficiently grave. It may also exercise original jurisdiction over cases involving government or international officials. The Supreme Court also is charged with overseeing the functioning and administration of the lower courts and their personnel.

Government oversight bodies

The Constitution also establishes three independent Constitutional Commissions. The Civil Service Commission acts as a central agency in charge of government personnel. The Commission on Elections enforces and administers all election laws and regulations to ensure that they are free and fair for all involved. Finally, the Commission on Audit examines all funds, transactions, and property accounts of the government and its agencies. Each of these Commissions is given governing and financial autonomy from the other branches of government to ensure unbiased decision-making. All decisions made by these Commissions are reviewable by the Supreme Court. To further ensure the ethical and lawful functioning of the government, the Constitution also creates an Office of the Ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding public corruption, unlawful behaviour of public officials, and other public misconduct. The Ombudsman can then charge such misbehaving public officials before a special court called the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman is also independent administratively and financially from the other branches of government, although the President is vested with the power to appoint the Ombudsman and his Deputies (from a list also prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council) for single 7-year terms. Only the House has the power to initiate impeachment of the President, the members of the Supreme Court, and a few other constitutionally protected public officials like the Ombudsman. The Senate is then supposed to try the impeachment case. Each of these aforementioned independent agencies was created for the purpose of promoting moral and ethical conduct in government.

System of Government under 1987 Constitution

Issues and Challenges

*Developed with input from Dr Florangel Braid (former member of the Constitutional Commission) and Rene Azurin

Bibliography

• United States. CIA World Factbook: Philippines. , 2011. Web. 27 Jun 2011.
• "Philippines Country Profile." 22/04/2011. BBC News. Web. 27 Jun 2011.
• United States Department of State. Background Note: Philippines. , 2011. Web. 27 Jun 2011.
• United States Library of Congress. A Country Study: Philippines. , 2011. Web. 27 Jun 2011.
• 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 1987. Web. 27 Jun 2011.
• Maddex, Robert L. Constitutions of the World. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2008. Print.
• Bacani, Benedicto. Presidential System in the Philippines: Some Issues and Concerns. Web. 8 Jul. 2011.

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Branches of the Philippine Government: Separation of Powers

The Philippines is a democratic and republican state. As a republican state, sovereignty resides in the People and all government authority emanates from them ( Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1 ). “A Republican form of government rests on the conviction that sovereignty should reside in the people and that all government authority must emanate from them. It abhors the concentration of power on one or a few, cognizant that power, when absolute, can lead to abuse, but it also shuns a direct and unbridled rule by the people, a veritable kindling to the passionate fires of anarchy. Our people have accepted this notion and decided to delegate the basic state authority to principally three branches of government — the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary – each branch being supreme in its own sphere but with constitutional limits and a firm tripod of checks and balances .”

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The executive branch is headed by the President, who is elected by a direct vote of the people. The term of office of the President, as well as the Vice-President, is six (6) years. As head of the Executive Department, the President is the Chief Executive. He represents the government as a whole and sees to it that all laws are enforced by the officials and employees of his department. He has control over the executive department, bureaus and offices. This means that he has the authority to assume directly the functions of the executive department, bureau and office or interfere with the discretion of its officials. Corollary to the power of control, the President also has the duty of supervising the enforcement of laws for the maintenance of general peace and public order. Thus, he is granted administrative power over bureaus and offices under his control to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.

The President exercises general supervision over all local government units and is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Under the existing Presidential form of government, the executive and legislative branches are entirely separate, subject only to the mechanisms of checks and balances. There were attempts to amend the Constitution in order to shift to a parliamentary system, but these moves were struck down by the Supreme Court. The most recent petition that reached the Supreme Court is Lambino vs. COMELEC.

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The legislative branch, which has the authority to make, alter or repeal laws (see also the definition of “legislative power”), is the Congress. “Congress is vested with the tremendous power of the purse, traditionally recognized in the constitutional provision that ‘no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.’ It comprehends both the power to generate money by taxation (the power to tax) and the power to spend it (the power to appropriate). The power to appropriate carries with it the power to specify the amount that may be spent and the purpose for which it may be spent.

Under a bicameral system, the Congress is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate is composed of twenty-four (24) Senators, who are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines. The term of office of the Senators is six (6) years.

The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is composed of not more than two hundred and fifty (250) members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who are elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities and the Metropolitan Manila area, and those who are elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations. The term of office of members of the House of Representatives, also called “Congressmen,” is three (3) years.

THE JUDICIARY

Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. The judiciary has the moderating power to determine the proper allocation of powers between the branches of government. When the “judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to determine conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish for the parties in an actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and guarantees to them.” In the words of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno: “The Judiciary may not have the power of the sword, may not have the power of the purse, but it has the power to interpret the Constitution, and the unerring lessons of history tell us that rightly wielded, that power can make a difference for good.”

While Congress has the power to define, prescribe and apportion the jurisdiction of the various courts, Congress cannot deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction provided in the Constitution. No law shall also be passed reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its members. The Supreme Court also has administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof, having the power to discipline or dismiss judges of lower courts.

The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or, in its discretion, in divisions of three, five or seven members. A member of the Supreme Court must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least forty (40) years of age and must have been for fifteen (15) years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the pratice of law in the Philippines. Justices hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy (70) years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office.

[Sources: Francisco, Jr. vs. House of Representatives , G.R. No. 160261, 10 November 2003, main decision and the separate opinions of Justices Vitug and Corona; Ople vs. Torres , G.R. No. 127685, 23 July 1998]

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7 thoughts on “ Branches of the Philippine Government: Separation of Powers ”

“The Judiciary may not have the power of the sword, may not have the power of the purse, but it has the power to interpret the Constitution”

A very dangerous doctrine….

Sa pag-iinterpret kasi sa ating Constitution. Ang equivalent nito ay:

a.) Lawmaking – Gumagawa ka ng Batas

Sole duties and functions dapat ng Legislative Branch. Hindi ng Judicial Branch.

b.) Amendments – binabago mo ang mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

Sole duties and functions dapat ng Constitutional Convention (Con Con or Constitutional Assembly (Con Ass) Delegates. Hindi ng Judicial Branch.

Ganito tuloy yung nangyari….

1.) Ni-legalized nito ang appointment ni then Associate Justice Renato Corona as Chief Justice ng ating Supreme Court.

Kahit na ito ay labag sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE VII Section 15

“Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”

2.) Sinang-ayunan o inaprobahan nito ang pagkakaroon ng panibagong Distrito ng Camarines Sur para lang maging Congressman ang anak ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na si Dato Arroyo.

Kahit na hindi umabot ang Distrito nito sa at least 250,000 Population na nakasaad sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE VI Section 5. (3)

“Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.”

3.) Ang hindi nito pagsunod sa nakasulat o probisyon sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE XI Section 17

“A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.”

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713

Section 8 of RA 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Kaya panukala ko….

Kapag natuloy yung pagbabago sa ating Constitution o Charter Change.

Bago ma-ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite ang ating magiging Constitution.

Ibigay na dapat ang Interpretation nito.

– Interpretation sa lahat ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

At ang mangyari sa ating Judiciary….

Taga- apply na lamang ito sa Interpretation ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

Hindi na ito mag-interpret. Kasi nga may Interpretation na.

Kasi iba yung Interpretation ng ating Judiciary (Supreme Court) sa Interpretation ng mga Framers ng ating 1987 Constitution.

At mas tama ang Interpretation ng ng mga Framers ng ating 1987 Constitution kaysa sa ating Judiciary (Supreme Court).

Syempre sila yung nakaisip, sa kanila galing yung idea at yung mga nakasulat sa ating 1987 Constitution.

Syempre sila (Framers) yung tama.

At paara mawala na rin ang kalituhan sa kung ano talaga ang interpretation ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution

At hindi na rin maulit yung nangyayari na “NA NAG-A-ACT O UMAAKTO NA “MAS BATAS” O “ABOVE” PA SA ATING CONSTITUTION ANG ATING JUDICIARY (SUPREME COURT)….

NA YUNG EN BANC RULING O DESISYON NITO AY MAS BATAS O ABOVE PA SA NAKASULAT O PROBISYON SA ATING CONSTITUTION”.

Gusto ko rin baguhin ang Theory ni Montesquieu

– “Separation of state powers: executive; legislative; judicial”

Di ba sa Theory ni Montesquieu

Who implement or execute the law.

Legislative

Who make, pass, and repeal the law.

Who interprets and applies the law.

Sa akin naman….

Who make and pass the law. But before it became the law. It should be Interpreted.

Also it can repeal the law

Who applies the interpretation of the law.

(Yun lang… Thanks for reading. To God alone be all the Glory sa naisip ko. Dahil binigyan Niya ako ng Wisdom at Idea. To Reform our Constitution. Especially sa pag-reform sa Separation of powers ng ating Government)

Innulit ko….

Before ma-ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite ang ating magiging Constitution.

Dapat may Interpretation na ito.

Isulat na dapat ng magiging Framers (Constitutional Convention [ConCon] or Constitutional Assembly [ConAss] Delegates) ang Interpretation sa lahat ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating magiging Constitution.

Hindi yung Supreme Court pa ang mag-interpret nito.

Katulad ngayon….

Yung sa ating 1987 Constitution.

Kailangan pa itong i-interpret ng ating Supreme Court.

Sa panukala ko naman.

Hindi na ito (mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution) i-interpret ng ating Supreme Court.

Kasi nga may Intepretation na ito.

Para na hindi na maulit yung nangyari:

“MAS BATAS” O “ABOVE” PA SA ATING CONSTITUTION ANG ATING SUPREME COURT…

Ang magiging duty and function na lang ng ating Supreme Court ay sundin at i-apply ang ating magiging Constitution at Interpretation nito.

– Interpretation na galing sa mga Framers ng ating magiging Constitution.

thank you po 😉

Wrong ka Mr. Arias, hndi nmn tlga interpretation ang main purpose ng judiciary kundi application lamang, it just so happen that there are ambiguities sa terms & wordings kaya nila iniinterpret, if you already took the statutory construction, you can get what I mean. Thanks.

It’s Article 2, Section 1 by the way. Not Article 3. I’m talking about the first sentence.

sir may ask for the moral responsibility of the state leaders in securing and promoting the morality in the State. thanks.

Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 hwhzr

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Philippine laws and legal system (jlp-law blog).

Branches of the Philippine Government: Separation of Powers

The Philippines is a democratic and republican state. As a republican state, sovereignty resides in the People and all government authority emanates from them ( Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1 ). “A Republican form of government rests on the conviction that sovereignty should reside in the people and that all government authority must emanate from them. It abhors the concentration of power on one or a few, cognizant that power, when absolute, can lead to abuse, but it also shuns a direct and unbridled rule by the people, a veritable kindling to the passionate fires of anarchy. Our people have accepted this notion and decided to delegate the basic state authority to principally three branches of government — the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary – each branch being supreme in its own sphere but with constitutional limits and a firm tripod of checks and balances .”

The Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the President, who is elected by a direct vote of the people. The term of office of the President, as well as the Vice-President, is six (6) years. As head of the Executive Department, the President is the Chief Executive. He represents the government as a whole and sees to it that all laws are enforced by the officials and employees of his department. He has control over the executive department, bureaus and offices. This means that he has the authority to assume directly the functions of the executive department, bureau and office or interfere with the discretion of its officials. Corollary to the power of control, the President also has the duty of supervising the enforcement of laws for the maintenance of general peace and public order. Thus, he is granted administrative power over bureaus and offices under his control to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.

The President exercises general supervision over all local government units and is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Under the existing Presidential form of government, the executive and legislative branches are entirely separate, subject only to the mechanisms of checks and balances. There were attempts to amend the Constitution in order to shift to a parliamentary system, but these moves were struck down by the Supreme Court. The most recent petition that reached the Supreme Court is Lambino vs. COMELEC.

The Legislative Branch

The legislative branch, which has the authority to make, alter or repeal laws (see also the definition of “legislative power“), is the Congress. “Congress is vested with the tremendous power of the purse, traditionally recognized in the constitutional provision that ‘no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.’ It comprehends both the power to generate money by taxation (the power to tax) and the power to spend it (the power to appropriate). The power to appropriate carries with it the power to specify the amount that may be spent and the purpose for which it may be spent.

Under a bicameral system, the Congress is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate is composed of twenty-four (24) Senators, who are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines. The term of office of the Senators is six (6) years.

The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is composed of not more than two hundred and fifty (250) members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who are elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities and the Metropolitan Manila area, and those who are elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations. The term of office of members of the House of Representatives, also called “Congressmen,” is three (3) years.

The Judiciary

Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. The judiciary has the “moderating power” to “determine the proper allocation of powers” between the branches of government. When the “judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to determine conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish for the parties in an actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and guarantees to them.” In the words of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno: “The Judiciary may not have the power of the sword, may not have the power of the purse, but it has the power to interpret the Constitution, and the unerring lessons of history tell us that rightly wielded, that power can make a difference for good.”

While Congress has the power to define, prescribe and apportion the jurisdiction of the various courts, Congress cannot deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction provided in the Constitution. No law shall also be passed reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its members. The Supreme Court also has administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof, having the power to discipline or dismiss judges of lower courts.

The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or, in its discretion, in divisions of three, five or seven members. A member of the Supreme Court must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least forty (40) years of age and must have been for fifteen (15) years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the pratice of law in the Philippines. Justices hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy (70) years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office.

* Sources: Francisco, Jr. vs. House of Representatives , G.R. No. 160261, 10 November 2003, main decision and the separate opinions of Justices Vitug and Corona; Ople vs. Torres , G.R. No. 127685, 23 July 1998.

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6 thoughts on “ Branches of the Philippine Government: Separation of Powers ”

“The Judiciary may not have the power of the sword, may not have the power of the purse, but it has the power to interpret the Constitution”

A very dangerous doctrine….

Sa pag-iinterpret kasi sa ating Constitution. Ang equivalent nito ay:

a.) Lawmaking – Gumagawa ka ng Batas

Sole duties and functions dapat ng Legislative Branch. Hindi ng Judicial Branch.

b.) Amendments – binabago mo ang mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

Sole duties and functions dapat ng Constitutional Convention (Con Con or Constitutional Assembly (Con Ass) Delegates. Hindi ng Judicial Branch.

Ganito tuloy yung nangyari….

1.) Ni-legalized nito ang appointment ni then Associate Justice Renato Corona as Chief Justice ng ating Supreme Court.

Kahit na ito ay labag sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE VII Section 15

“Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”

2.) Sinang-ayunan o inaprobahan nito ang pagkakaroon ng panibagong Distrito ng Camarines Sur para lang maging Congressman ang anak ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na si Dato Arroyo.

Kahit na hindi umabot ang Distrito nito sa at least 250,000 Population na nakasaad sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE VI Section 5. (3)

“Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.”

3.) Ang hindi nito pagsunod sa nakasulat o probisyon sa ating 1987 Constitution ARTICLE XI Section 17

“A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.”

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713

Section 8 of RA 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Kaya panukala ko….

Kapag natuloy yung pagbabago sa ating Constitution o Charter Change.

Bago ma-ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite ang ating magiging Constitution.

Ibigay na dapat ang Interpretation nito.

– Interpretation sa lahat ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

At ang mangyari sa ating Judiciary….

Taga- apply na lamang ito sa Interpretation ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution.

Hindi na ito mag-interpret. Kasi nga may Interpretation na.

Kasi iba yung Interpretation ng ating Judiciary (Supreme Court) sa Interpretation ng mga Framers ng ating 1987 Constitution.

At mas tama ang Interpretation ng ng mga Framers ng ating 1987 Constitution kaysa sa ating Judiciary (Supreme Court).

Syempre sila yung nakaisip, sa kanila galing yung idea at yung mga nakasulat sa ating 1987 Constitution.

Syempre sila (Framers) yung tama.

At paara mawala na rin ang kalituhan sa kung ano talaga ang interpretation ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution

At hindi na rin maulit yung nangyayari na “NA NAG-A-ACT O UMAAKTO NA “MAS BATAS” O “ABOVE” PA SA ATING CONSTITUTION ANG ATING JUDICIARY (SUPREME COURT)….

NA YUNG EN BANC RULING O DESISYON NITO AY MAS BATAS O ABOVE PA SA NAKASULAT O PROBISYON SA ATING CONSTITUTION”.

Gusto ko rin baguhin ang Theory ni Montesquieu

– “Separation of state powers: executive; legislative; judicial”

Di ba sa Theory ni Montesquieu

Who implement or execute the law.

Legislative

Who make, pass, and repeal the law.

Who interprets and applies the law.

Sa akin naman….

Who make and pass the law. But before it became the law. It should be Interpreted.

Also it can repeal the law

Who applies the interpretation of the law.

(Yun lang… Thanks for reading. To God alone be all the Glory sa naisip ko. Dahil binigyan Niya ako ng Wisdom at Idea. To Reform our Constitution. Especially sa pag-reform sa Separation of powers ng ating Government)

Innulit ko….

Before ma-ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite ang ating magiging Constitution.

Dapat may Interpretation na ito.

Isulat na dapat ng magiging Framers (Constitutional Convention [ConCon] or Constitutional Assembly [ConAss] Delegates) ang Interpretation sa lahat ng mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating magiging Constitution.

Hindi yung Supreme Court pa ang mag-interpret nito.

Katulad ngayon….

Yung sa ating 1987 Constitution.

Kailangan pa itong i-interpret ng ating Supreme Court.

Sa panukala ko naman.

Hindi na ito (mga nakasulat o probisyon sa ating Constitution) i-interpret ng ating Supreme Court.

Kasi nga may Intepretation na ito.

Para na hindi na maulit yung nangyari:

“MAS BATAS” O “ABOVE” PA SA ATING CONSTITUTION ANG ATING SUPREME COURT…

Ang magiging duty and function na lang ng ating Supreme Court ay sundin at i-apply ang ating magiging Constitution at Interpretation nito.

– Interpretation na galing sa mga Framers ng ating magiging Constitution.

thank you po 😉

Wrong ka Mr. Arias, hndi nmn tlga interpretation ang main purpose ng judiciary kundi application lamang, it just so happen that there are ambiguities sa terms & wordings kaya nila iniinterpret, if you already took the statutory construction, you can get what I mean. Thanks.

It’s Article 2, Section 1 by the way. Not Article 3. I’m talking about the first sentence.

sir may ask for the moral responsibility of the state leaders in securing and promoting the morality in the State. thanks.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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Philippine Government - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

An essay on the Philippine Government can explore the country’s political structure, history, and current challenges. It can delve into the Philippines’ transition from a Spanish colony to a democratic republic, the key branches of government, issues like corruption and human rights, and the role of the president in shaping policies and international relations. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Philippine Government you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Building Philippine Government and Nation

Building Philippine Nation “Ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo” -Philippine National Anthem The Philippine 19th-century political thinkers and patriotic men such as Jose Rizal, Marcelo Del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena contributed to express and narrate the significance of Philippine historical events and to respond from the colonial system of Spanish regime. To further enlighten the minds of Filipino generations, and to trigger the souls of the masses from the depressing Spanish occupation during that time. The conqueror succeeded in claiming […]

The Philippine Government and Middle Classes

Rise of the Middle Class in the 20th Century The rise of the Middle Class in the 20th Century is when the Filipino started to become independent from the colonizers. Being independent from these colonizers help stabilize the emerging class in this era. There are three points in which I seem to get from the article and these three are:  The Philippine Independence After we gained independence in 1946, the Philippines became driven to industrialize the country, industrialization will make […]

Economic and Cultural Transformation as a Result of Globalization in the Philippines

Globalization is associated with not only advancements in communication and ever-expanding trade routes but also transformation in political systems and the enhancement or destruction of cultural heritage (Block, 2004; Lieber & Weisberg, 2002). Indeed, it is apparent that globalization in developing countries has a significant impact on political, economic, and cultural aspects. Globalization arises from several factors which may include colonialism (Korobeynikova, 2016). The expansion in power and territory that is characteristic of colonialism may promote communication and technological advancements, […]

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The Dynastical Philippine Government

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The Political Thoughts of Philippine Government

Aspiration to uphold and protect liberty, well-being, rights, welfare of every constituent, sovereignty, and the eradication of uncertainties like cruelties, abuses, hostilities, corruption and alienation against the people are the Philippine political thoughts that had been implied, manifested, projected and uphold throughout our history that can still be seen up to this time in different form. The former are the things that country had been deprived of while the latter are the uncertainties that the Filipinos had experienced while being […]

The Ilustrados and their Contribution to Philippine Nationalism

The Filipinos at the time of 19th century has been the victim of too much social construction and terrific grind division by the Spanish authorities. In the 19th century, the Spaniards had dominated moreover controlled Filipino people. The Filipinos turned out to be a servant or a mercenary to the Spaniard. They took their taxes and they were working in accordance with their command. Those Spanish authorities and officials transferred to different location so the necessities and demands of the […]

The Philippine Government Adopts New Pre-university Program

Philippines is the last country in Asia to adopt to the international practice of 12 years or more in basic education and pre-university program. The much needed overhaul in the Philippine educational system came in May 2013 through Republic Act 10533, known as Enhanced Basic Education Act with the inclusion of additional two years for senior high school education (newsinfo.inquirer.net, 2018). Department of Education (DepEd) under sectary Tonisito Umali, explains that the senior high school (SHS) program, being the last […]

The Philippine Government Protects Journalists

Journalists are responsible for shining light on all events that happen in the society. Their work is of great importance to the society who depend on them for news. However, the job becomes dangerous when a journalist comes across a piece of a controversial story. The stories usually are characterized by powerful individuals who want to protect themselves from the government and wrath of the society. These individuals and organizations will go to great lengths to protect themselves from being […]

Human Trafficking in the Philippines

What if you were given the most appealing chance to escape poverty and took it, just to find out your efforts landed you into the hands of human traffickers? Human trafficking is a large issue dealt with by countries all over the world, including the Philippines, a tier 1 country that is actively changing their methods of the battle against it. For example, one instance of this took place in 2003 where the country passed the "Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, […]

Foundation of the Philippine Government

Every country in the whole world had experienced to be the subject of colonizers, one example of it is the Philippines. When a country is at the hands of colonizers which causes sufferings, death, oppressions, and such to the inhabitants in the country in which the colonizers conquered, it is undeniable that there was no person or group of people who tried to win liberty and independence from their own motherland. In the Philippines, the ilustrados, namely Dr. Jose Rizal, […]

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During our almost 50 years of control in the Philippines, many of our law makers and leaders were fueled by debates at home, and also our presence overseas. These two perspectives gave a lot of controversy as to how Americans were taking control, and confusion of what they were actually doing in the Philippines. Many leaders drew from Anglo- Saxon beliefs, which lead to racist ideas and laws. These combined proved unfair treatment of the Filipinos and large amounts of […]

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Illegal Immigration Illegal Immigration into the United States is a growing problem. Immigration is costing taxpayers millions of dollars. And affecting the lives of immigrant children. On the other hand, illegal immigrants are helping America in some ways. They are helping America by working labor jobs and illegal immigrants will accept less pay. One of the negative things illegal immigrants bring on America is the amount of money we must spend on healthcare and other benefits that they receive. Another […]

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Pre Colonization Before colonization the Philippines was inhabited by migrants groups that settled sporadically across the nation. Eventually these small groups developed into larger settlements known as barangays, independently of each other with no centralized government, acting within defined social hierarchy (History of the Philippines). As the islands developed maritime ports, trade relations were established between the islands and with neighboring East Asian countries, their biggest exporters being Japan and China. Ancient inhabitants of the islands became a minority and […]

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• Constitutional Politics in Asia
• Democratization
• Political Party Systems in East and Southeast Asia
• Politics of the Philippines: From Rizal to Duterte
• Presidential Candidate Selection in Comparative Perspective
• Women and Politics in East and Southeast Asia

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Philippine Politics and Government by Julio Teehankee LAST REVIEWED: 26 October 2023 LAST MODIFIED: 26 October 2023 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756223-0366

The study of politics and government in the Philippines was borne out of critical junctures in historical state-making and nation-building in the country. From colonialism to nationalism, modernization, authoritarianism, and democratization, the Philippines is an interesting case study since it reflects significant periods in its political history. The emergence of political science in the Philippines has contributed to the rise of several Philippine politics and government theories that frame the analysis of its political development. Despite the early influence of American political science on the study of Philippine politics and government, Philippine political science has avoided quantitative methods until recently. Nonetheless, the latest studies by Filipino political scientists present a dynamic and pluralist perspective. For the most part, the bulk of research publications has focused on democratic and state institutions that include executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government; the bureaucracy; local government and decentralization; policymaking in general; the military and police; elections; voting; election rules; and political parties. Philippine politics has been largely criticized for being corrupt, patronage-based, and lacking ideological grounding. However, political and social movements have mobilized ideology in contesting power in the country. Essentially, there have been four ideological traditions in the Philippines: nationalism, liberalism, radical Marxism, and socialism. Despite several attempts to articulate an ideologically based discourse, Philippine politics continue to revolve around candidate-centered alliances of provincial bosses, political machines, and local clans, grounded on clientelistic, parochial, and personal inducements rather than issues, ideologies, and party programs. Nonetheless, alternative theories have emerged to challenge this view of Philippine politics. In recent years, the strong institutionalist and statist approach of the discipline in the country has been receptive to alternative and multidisciplinary perspectives. The Philippines is also home to a broad range of voluntary associations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other manifestations of a relatively vibrant civil society and social movements. New ideological formations gravitating around postmodern, cultural, and identity-based issues have also emerged. Moreover, new challenges, such as democratic regression, authoritarian revival, and digital disinformation, necessitate looking at old problems with new academic lenses. In addition, domestic politics continue to impact how the country navigates its foreign policy, particularly in defense of its “national interest” in the rapidly shifting global arena.

Analyzing Philippine Politics and Government

Familiarizing oneself with the theories and history of Philippine politics and government is an initial step in understanding its intricacies. The development of political science in the Philippines has contributed to the emergence of several theories of Philippine politics and government that frame the analysis of political development. Subsections scan the literature on Philippine Ideologies ; Patron-Client, Brokerage, and Machines ; and Alternative Theories of Philippine Politics . A subsection provides the historical context of Philippine Political Development .

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The 3 Branches of Government and Their Functions

The three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial – are at the heart of modern democratic systems.

They were designed to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch and ensure that no single person or group could wield too much influence over the affairs of the state.

The separation of powers is a fundamental principle of democracy, and the three branches of government play a critical role in upholding it. In this article, we will explore the functions and responsibilities of each branch, as well as the checks and balances that keep them in check.

3 Branches of Government

1. legislative branch.

The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is responsible for making laws. It is composed of two chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate – and is responsible for representing the people of the United States.

The House of Representatives has 435 members, each representing a district in their respective state. The number of representatives from each state is determined by its population. The Senate, on the other hand, has 100 members, with each state being represented by two senators.

Also Read: Congress Facts

The legislative branch has the power to introduce and pass bills, which then become law after they are signed by the president. It is also responsible for overseeing the budget and taxation, as well as declaring war and regulating commerce.

Examples of legislative branch actions include passing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), passing the Civil Rights Act, and impeaching a president. The legislative branch is an important part of the checks and balances system, as it has the power to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

2. Executive Branch

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws passed by Congress. It is composed of the president, vice president, and the various departments and agencies that make up the federal government.

The president is the head of the executive branch and is responsible for appointing cabinet members and other officials to oversee the various departments and agencies. The president also has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress and to negotiate treaties with foreign nations.

The executive branch is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government and is responsible for implementing policies and programs that reflect the priorities of the president. It is also responsible for national security and defense.

Examples of executive branch actions include issuing executive orders, conducting foreign policy negotiations, and appointing Supreme Court justices. The executive branch also plays a critical role in the checks and balances system, as it has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

3. Judicial Branch

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws and ensuring that they are applied fairly and consistently. It is composed of the Supreme Court, as well as the lower federal courts.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the final say on issues related to the constitutionality of laws and the interpretation of federal law. The Supreme Court is made up of nine justices, who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

The lower federal courts are responsible for hearing cases that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as cases involving federal laws or disputes between states.

The judicial branch is responsible for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the other branches of government act within the limits of the Constitution. It is also responsible for protecting individual rights and liberties.

Examples of judicial branch actions include interpreting the Constitution and striking down laws that violate it, as well as interpreting federal law and issuing rulings in cases involving civil rights and liberties.

The judicial branch also plays an important role in the checks and balances system, as it has the power to declare laws unconstitutional and to interpret the Constitution and federal law.

System of Checks and Balances in Government

The concept of checks and balances is an integral part of the United States’ democratic system. The three branches of government are designed to check and balance each other to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power .

For example, the legislative branch has the power to make laws, but the executive branch can veto those laws. However, the legislative branch can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Similarly, the judicial branch can strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional, but the legislative branch has the power to amend the Constitution.

Another example of checks and balances is the confirmation process for Supreme Court justices. The president nominates a candidate, but the Senate must confirm the nomination, ensuring that the president cannot unilaterally appoint someone to the highest court in the land.

These checks and balances are essential for preserving democracy and ensuring that no one branch of government can become too powerful. They also help to promote compromise and cooperation between the branches of government, as each branch must work with the others to achieve its goals.

In conclusion, the three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial – are critical components of the United States’ democratic system. The separation of powers and the system of checks and balances are designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that the government works in the best interests of the people.

The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch for enforcing them, and the judicial branch for interpreting them. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, but they also work together to ensure that the government is effective and accountable.

By understanding the functions and responsibilities of each branch, as well as the checks and balances that keep them in check, citizens can play an active role in preserving democracy and holding their government accountable. The three branches of government are a cornerstone of the United States’ political system, and their importance cannot be overstated.