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The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally divided among Top
its three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The government seeks to act in the best interests of its
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One basic corollary in a presidential system of government is the principle of separation of powers wherein
legislation belongs to Congress, execution to the Executive, and settlement of legal controversies to the
Judiciary.
The Legislative branch () is authorized to make laws, alter, and repeal them through the power vested in the
Philippine Congress. This institution is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Legislative Branch enacts legislation, confirms or rejects Presidential appointments, and has the authority
to declare war. This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and several
The Senate is composed of 24 Senators who are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines.
The House of Representatives is composed of about 250 members elected from legislative districts in the
provinces, cities, and municipalities, and representatives elected through a party-list system of registered
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
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from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors
The Executive branch () is composed of the President and the Vice President who are elected by direct
popular vote and serve a term of six years. The Constitution grants the President authority to appoint his
The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. It includes the President, Vice President, the Cabinet,
The President leads the country. He or 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.
The Vice President supports the President. If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President becomes
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.
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The Judicial branch () holds the power to settle controversies involving rights that are legally demandable
and enforceable. This branch 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. It is made up
The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate
the Constitution. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be
established by law.
Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches as follows:
Congress confirms or rejects the President's appointments and can remove the President from
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The Justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are appointed by the
The Constitution expressly grants the Supreme Court the power of Judicial Review as the power to declare a
treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction,
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