Module 3

• Three Branches of Government:

  1. Legislative
  2. Judicial
  3. Executive
• The Legislative Power of Philippine Government

  • vested in a bicameral set-up of congress which is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• The members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are elected differently and their term of office is not the same, but they maintain a co-equal status but independent jurisdiction of legislative powers
• What is the tremendous power at the disposal of the legislative branch?


  the power to legislate laws which govern the state and all the citizens.
• Legislative branch

  • the only branch of government possessed with the inherent power of the state; police power and power of taxation.
• What is the inherent power that makes the legislative branch very powerful?


  The power of the purse or the power to tax
• The three branches of government maintain a co-equal status.
• Legislative Power

  • power of the legislative branch to make laws defined in the constitution
  • also has the power to alter or repeal them
• Classification of Powers of Congress:

  1. General Legislative Power
  2. Specific Powers
  3. Implied Powers
  4. Inherent Powers
• General Legislative Power

  • power to enact laws
  • govern the conduct of the state and the individuals, as well as the relations between the state and individuals
• Specific Powers

  • powers articulated in the constitution and directly authorize the congress to exercise.
• Specific Powers of the Congress Examples:

  • choose president in case there is a tie
  • to confirm or reject appointments made by the president
  • declare the existence of war
  • impose taxes
  • appropriate money
  • act as jurors in the impeachment trial of the president
  • act as constituent assembly.
• Implied Powers

  • allows congress to exercise authority that is necessary and effective for the conduct of their duty
• Examples of the Implied Powers of the Congress:

  • conduct inquiry and investigation in aid of legislation
  • punish for contempt
  • determine the rules of its proceedings
• Inherent Powers

  • possessed and exercised by every government
• Examples of Inherent Powers:

  1. Eminent Domain
  2. Police Power
  3. Power of Taxation