BFP Entrance Exam General Information — Government Structure — Legislative, Executive & JudicialFlash Cards

What are the three branches of the Philippine government as established by the 1987 Constitution?

The three branches are: (1) Legislative Department - vested with the power to make laws, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives; (2) Executive Department - vested with the power to execute and enforce laws, headed by the President; and (3) Judicial Department - vested with the power to interpret laws and settle disputes, headed by the Supreme Court.

Senate composition and qualifications

The Senate is composed of 24 members elected nationwide. Qualifications: (1) Natural-born Filipino citizen, (2) At least 35 years old on election day, (3) Able to read and write, (4) Resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years before election. Term: 6 years, maximum of 2 terms.

House of Representatives composition and qualifications

Composed of not more than 250 members elected by districts and party-list system. Qualifications: (1) Natural-born Filipino citizen, (2) At least 25 years old on election day, (3) Able to read and write, (4) Registered voter, (5) Resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year before election. Term: 3 years, maximum of 3 terms.

What is the party-list system and what percentage of votes is required for representation?

The party-list system allows different sectors of Philippine society (farmers, labor, education, women, youth, etc., except religious sector) to be represented in Congress. A party must garner at least 2% of the votes to be entitled to one party-list representative. This is governed by Republic Act No. 7941.

List the 12 main duties of the Legislative Department according to the Constitution.

1. Enact laws, 2. Choose president in case of electoral tie, 3. Approve annual budget, 4. Ratify treaties, 5. Conduct investigations in aid of legislation, 6. Confirm presidential appointees through Commission on Appointments, 7. Declare state of war, 8. Impose taxes and appropriate funds, 9. Impeach government officials, 10. Act as constituent assembly for constitutional amendments, 11. Confirm or cancel martial law declaration, 12. Decide election protests through HRET.

Presidential qualifications and term limits

Qualifications: (1) Natural-born Filipino citizen, (2) Registered voter, (3) Able to read and write, (4) At least 40 years old on election day, (5) Resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years before election. Term: 6 years with NO reelection allowed.

What are the five main duties of the President as outlined in the Constitution?

1. Commander-in-chief of all Armed Forces of the Philippines, 2. Veto bills enacted by Congress, 3. Appoint heads of executive departments, ambassadors, and other officials, 4. Declare martial law in accordance with the Constitution, 5. Grant reprieves, commutations, pardons, and amnesty.

Who was the first President of the Philippines and who is the current president as of the reference document?

The first President was Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901). According to the reference document, Rodrigo R. Duterte was the 16th President (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2022). The document lists presidents chronologically from Aguinaldo through Duterte.

Supreme Court composition and qualifications of justices

Composed of 1 Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices. Qualifications: (1) Natural-born Filipino citizen, (2) At least 40 years old, (3) Judge of lower court OR practicing lawyer for at least 15 years, (4) Person with proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence. May sit en banc or in divisions of 3, 5, or 7 members.

What are the five powers of the Supreme Court according to Article VIII?

1. Settle actual controversies involving legally determinable and enforceable rights, 2. Determine grave abuse of power by any government branch, 3. Determine validity/constitutionality of laws and government acts, 4. Interpret provisions of Constitution, laws, and ordinances, 5. As court of last resort, render authoritative judgments on individual disputes.

Arrange the court hierarchy from highest to lowest in the Philippines.

1. Supreme Court (highest), 2. Court of Appeals, 3. Regional Trial Court, 4. Metropolitan Trial Court (in metro areas), 5. Municipal Trial Court (in cities/municipalities), 6. Municipal Circuit Trial Court (lowest - covers grouped municipalities/cities).

What are the two special courts mentioned in the Constitution and their functions?

1. Court of Tax Appeals (created under RA 1125, amended by RA 9282) - has exclusive power to review decisions of Commissioner of Internal Revenue on internal revenue taxes and Commissioner of Customs on customs duties. 2. Sandiganbayan (created by PD 1606) - hears and decides corruption cases involving government officials and employees.

What are the three Constitutional Commissions and why are they established in the Constitution?

The three Constitutional Commissions are: (1) Civil Service Commission, (2) Commission on Elections, (3) Commission on Audit. They are established in the Constitution because of the extreme importance of their functions, which need to be insulated from political interference or pressures. They are independent bodies with constitutional mandate.

Civil Service Commission composition and term of office

Composed of 1 Chairman and 2 Commissioners. Qualifications: Natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old at appointment, with proven capacity for public administration, must not have been candidates in immediately preceding elections. Term: 7 years without reappointment. Appointed by President with Commission on Appointments consent.

What does Section 2 of Article IX-B state about civil service coverage and appointments?

Civil service embraces ALL branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of government, including GOCCs with original charters. Appointments must be made according to merit and fitness, determined by competitive examination (except for policy-determining, primarily confidential, or highly technical positions). No removal/suspension except for cause provided by law.

COMELEC composition and key qualifications

Composed of 1 Chairman and 6 Commissioners. Qualifications: Natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, college degree holders, must not have been candidates in immediately preceding elections. However, MAJORITY (including Chairman) must be members of the Philippine Bar with at least 10 years law practice. Term: 7 years without reappointment.

List the first 5 powers and functions of COMELEC under Section 2.

1. Enforce and administer all laws on elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recalls, 2. Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over regional, provincial, city election contests and appellate jurisdiction over municipal/barangay contests, 3. Decide all election questions except right to vote, including polling places and voter registration, 4. Deputize law enforcement agencies with Presidential concurrence, 5. Register political parties and accredit citizens' arms after publication.

Commission on Audit composition and professional requirements

Composed of 1 Chairman and 2 Commissioners. Qualifications: Natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, Certified Public Accountants with at least 10 years auditing experience OR members of Philippine Bar with at least 10 years law practice, must not have been election candidates. At NO TIME shall all members belong to the same profession.

What is the primary function of the Commission on Audit according to Section 2?

COA has the power to examine, audit, and settle ALL accounts pertaining to revenue, receipts, expenditures, and uses of funds and property owned or held in trust by the Government and its subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, including GOCCs with original charters, on a post-audit basis. It keeps general government accounts and preserves vouchers/supporting papers.

Compare the age requirements for Senate, House of Representatives, and President.

Senate: At least 35 years old on election day. House of Representatives: At least 25 years old on election day. President: At least 40 years old on election day. This reflects the increasing level of experience and maturity expected for higher offices, with the President requiring the most experience.

What are the five impeachable officials and six grounds for impeachment?

Impeachable Officials: (1) President, (2) Vice President, (3) Supreme Court Members, (4) Constitutional Commission Members, (5) Ombudsman. Grounds: (1) Culpable violation of Constitution, (2) Treason, (3) Bribery, (4) Graft and corruption, (5) Other high crimes, (6) Betrayal of public trust.

Ombudsman qualifications and key duties

Qualifications: (1) Natural-born Filipino citizens, (2) At least 40 years old at appointment, (3) Members of Philippine Bar (lawyers), (4) Must not be candidates in preceding election. Key duties include investigating illegal/improper acts of public officials, directing performance of duties, recommending disciplinary action, and examining government documents for irregularities.

What is the regular session schedule of Congress?

Congress holds regular sessions throughout the year starting on the fourth Monday of July until June of the succeeding year. The President may also call Congress for special sessions anytime to settle important issues affecting the country. This ensures continuous legislative work while allowing for emergency sessions when needed.

Scenario: A bill has passed both houses of Congress but in different versions. What happens next in the legislative process?

A Conference Committee is formed to prepare a compromise version that reconciles the differences between the House and Senate versions. This compromise version is then sent to each chamber for final approval. Once both chambers approve the identical compromise version, it is ordered printed in enrolled form and sent to the President for signature or veto.

Under Republic Act No. 6713, what are the eight norms of conduct for public officials and employees?

(a) Commitment to public interest, (b) Professionalism, (c) Justness and sincerity, (d) Political neutrality, (e) Responsiveness to the public, (f) Nationalism and patriotism, (g) Commitment to democracy, (h) Simple living. These establish the ethical standards expected of all government personnel in their official duties.