Three Branches of the Philippine Government

As provided in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Philippine Government is separated into three
branches as a basic corollary of the presidential system of government. The powers of legislation is
lodged with the Congress, the execution to the Executive and the settlement of legal controversies to
the Judiciary.

The Legislative branch is authorized to make laws, amend, and repeal them through the power vested in
the Philippine Congress. The congress is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives. In
addition, the Constitution grants the Congress the powers to enact legislation, confirm or reject
Presidential appointments, authorize the declaration of war. Agencies that provide support services to
Congress are also included in the Legislative branch.

The Senate is composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of
the Philippines, as may be provided by law. The House of Representatives, also known as the ‘lower
house’ of the Congress is made up of not more than two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise
fixed by law, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and
the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, and on the
basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as provided by law, shall be elected through a
party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.

The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty per cent of the total number of representatives
including those under the party list. For three consecutive terms after the ratification of this
Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by
law, by selection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities,
women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.

The Executive or Administrative branch carries out laws enacted by the Legislative branch. It is
composed of the President and the Vice President who are elected by the people to serve a term of six
years. Part of this branch are the Cabinet members, who are appointed by the President. These
departments form a large portion of the country’s bureaucracy. The main function of this branch is to
enforce the laws. It also includes executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards,
commissions, and committees.

The key roles in the Executive branch includes:

1. President – The President leads the country. He/she is the head of state, leader of the national
government, and Commander in Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines. The President
serves a six-year term and cannot be re-elected.
2. Vice President – The Vice President supports the President. If the President is unable to serve,
the Vice President becomes President. He/she serves a six-year term.
3. The Cabinet – Cabinet members serve as advisors to the President. They include the Vice
President and the heads of executive departments. Cabinet members are nominated by the
President and must be confirmed by the Commission of Appointments.
Finally, the Judicial branch evaluates laws. The Constitution has given this branch the power to settle
disputes involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable. It determines whether or not
there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part and
instrumentality of the government. This branch interprets the laws, apply it to individual cases and
decide if legislations are violative of the Constitution. The judicial power is lodged with the Supreme
Court and such lower courts established by the law.

Despite the separation of powers, each branch of government can change acts of the other branches
following the principle of checks and balances for the best interest of its citizens.

The President can veto laws passed by Congress. The Congress confirms or rejects the President's
appointments to the Cabinet and can oust the President from office under certain circumstances. The
Supreme Court Justices, who are appointed by the President upon confirmation of the Senate, can
overturn laws which are incoherent with the Constitution.

Further, the Supreme Court is expressly vested by the Constitution with the power of Judicial Review.
This is its power to declare a treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree,
proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance or regulation unconstitutional.

http://pia.gov.ph/branches-of-govt