Culture

• The Philippine government system has adopted the presidential, unitary, and republican system.
• Under a presidential system of government, the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches are separated and distinct from each other.
• Each of the branches is bestowed with independent powers and responsibilities, a principle known as the separation of powers.
• Article 7, Section 1 - The executive branch of the government is vested with the power to execute laws and ensure their proper implementation.
• The executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines.
• The powers of the president include control over all executive departments, bureaus, and offices; power of general supervision over local governments and autonomous regions; power to nominate, appoint, and remove officials; budgetary and fiscal power; military power; power to contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the country; pardoning power; and powers to check other branches of the government.
• The congress specifies the conditions and restrictions of certain powers it assigns to the president.
• The supreme court may declare executive orders and proclamations unconstitutional.
• The Supreme Court may review the declaration of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
• The Senate shall also have the sole power to decide on all cases of impeachment by two-thirds votes.
• Members of the Congress are entitled to a fixed compensation as determined by law and are given privilege from arrest when the Congress is in session, unless the offense they committed is punishable by more than six years of imprisonment.
• The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable; and the tax exemptions to charitable institutions (and the like) shall be provided.
• Members of the Congress are prohibited from holding any office or employment in the government and are restricted from appearing as counsel before any court of justice or electoral tribunal.
• Section 23 (2) of Article VI grants emergency powers to the President in times of war or emergency.
• Each house may choose other officers if deemed necessary.
• The Senate has 24 members elected at large (or nationwide) by qualified voters.
• Under Article III, Section 4-5, 10, and 22, the Congress shall not pass a law that abridges the freedom of speech, expression, and the like.
• Section 25 of Article VI empowers the Congress to check the president’s power to appropriate money for government use.
• No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.
• The constitution mandates the Congress to convene once every year on the 4th Monday of July for its session unless otherwise provided by law, and they shall continue to be in session for such number of days as determined until 30 days before opening of its next regular session.
• Members of the Congress are required by law to provide full disclosure of their financial and business interests.
• The power to enact laws is vested in the Philippine Congress, which is bicameral and composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Section 16 of Article VI provides that the members of the Congress shall be the only judge of all contests and issues related to the election, returns, qualification of their respective members, through the House and Senate Tribunals.
• Members of the Congress must be registered voters and residents of the Philippines for not less than two years.
• The House of Representatives has 250 members, unless otherwise fixed by law, elected by voters in a district.
• The lawmaking process of the Congress is referred to as the Legislative Process.
• The Congress may not increase appropriations recommended by the President.
• The Congress shall also have its Electoral Tribunal, bicameral Commission on appointments, and standing and ad hoc or special committees.
• Members of the Senate must be at least 35 years old, while those of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old.
• The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives, its Speaker, by a majority of all its respective members.
• Section 23 (1) of Article VI empowers the Congress to declare the existence of a state of war.
• Section 25, Check the president’s power to appropriate money for government use.
• Section 16, Provide consent on appointments made by the president
• Section 16, The members of the Congress shall be the only judge of all contests and issues related to the election, returns, qualification of their respective members, through the House and Senate Tribunals.
• Section 19, Concur with president in granting amnesty to individuals.
• Section 22, Request heads of executive departments to appear before the Congress.
• Section 17, Check the president’s power as commander in chief in the suspension of writ of habeas corpus or declaration of martial law.
• Section 23 (1), Declaration of existence of a state of war.
• Section 23 (2), Granting of emergency powers to the Presidentin times of war or emergency.
• Section 21, No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.