Government Structure — Legislative, Executive & Judicial - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for understanding the three branches of Philippine government structure, qualifications, powers, and constitutional provisions.
Legislative Department (Congress)
Important facts
- Senate: 24 members, 6-year term, maximum 2 terms, nationwide election
- House: Maximum 250 members, 3-year term, maximum 3 terms, district-based
- Senator qualifications: Natural-born, 35+ years, literate, 2-year resident
- Congressman qualifications: Natural-born, 25+ years, literate, registered voter, 1-year resident
- Congress regular session: 4th Monday of July to June of succeeding year
- Party-list needs 2% of votes for one representative seat
Key definitions
Legislative Power
Example
Congress enacting Republic Act No. 7941 (Party-List System Act)
Authority under the Constitution to make laws and to alter and repeal them
Bicameral System
Example
Philippines has 24 senators and maximum 250 congressmen
Legislative branch divided into two chambers: Senate and House of Representatives
Party-List System
Example
Labor, farmers, women, youth sectors get representatives with 2% vote threshold
Electoral system allowing sectoral representation in Congress for marginalized groups
Diagrams to know
- How a Bill Becomes a Law flowchart
- Legislative Process in House and Senate
Executive Department
Important facts
- President and Vice President qualifications: Natural-born, registered voter, literate, 40+ years, 10-year resident
- Presidential term: 6 years, no reelection allowed
- President appoints cabinet members, ambassadors, bureau heads
- President can declare martial law (subject to Congress review)
- President grants reprieves, commutations, pardons, amnesty
- 16 Presidents from Aguinaldo (1899) to Duterte (2016-2022)
Key definitions
Executive Power
Example
President implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress
Power to administer the laws, carrying them into practical operation and enforcing their due observance
Commander-in-Chief
Example
President directing military operations and defense policies
Presidential power to command all Armed Forces of the Philippines
Veto Power
Example
President refusing to sign a bill and returning it to Congress
Presidential authority to reject bills passed by Congress
Diagrams to know
- Executive Department organizational structure
- Presidential succession line
Judicial Department
Important facts
- Supreme Court: 1 Chief Justice + 14 Associate Justices
- SC Justice qualifications: Natural-born, 40+ years, judge/lawyer for 15+ years
- Court of Appeals: Presiding Justice + 50 Associate Justices, 17 divisions
- Special courts: Sandiganbayan (corruption cases), Court of Tax Appeals
- SC can sit en banc or in divisions of 3, 5, or 7 members
- Regional Trial Courts preside in each region
Key definitions
Judicial Power
Example
Courts deciding cases and interpreting constitutional provisions
Power to apply laws to contests or disputes concerning legally recognized rights or duties
Judicial Review
Example
SC declaring a law unconstitutional if it violates the Constitution
Supreme Court power to determine constitutionality of laws and government acts
Court Hierarchy
Example
Supreme Court → Court of Appeals → Regional Trial Court → Municipal Court
Organized system of courts from Supreme Court down to municipal courts
Diagrams to know
- Philippine Court System hierarchy
- Types of courts (Regular vs Special)
Constitutional Commissions
Important facts
- All commissioners: Natural-born, 35+ years, 7-year term without reappointment
- CSC: Chairman + 2 commissioners, administers merit system
- COMELEC: Chairman + 6 commissioners, majority must be lawyers with 10+ years practice
- COA: Chairman + 2 commissioners, must be CPAs with 10+ years or lawyers with 10+ years
- Election period: 90 days before to 30 days after election
- All commissions independent from political interference
Key definitions
Constitutional Commissions
Example
CSC administers civil service, COMELEC conducts elections, COA audits government
Three independent commissions: Civil Service, Elections, and Audit
Civil Service
Example
Government employees appointed based on merit and fitness
Career service system embracing all government branches and instrumentalities
Electoral Process
Example
COMELEC supervising national and local elections
System of conducting free, fair, and credible elections
Diagrams to know
- Constitutional Commissions structure
- Election timeline and processes
Local Government and Administrative Divisions
Common values
Value
17
Symbol
Regions
Quantity
Total Regions
Value
81
Symbol
Provinces
Quantity
Total Provinces
Value
24
Symbol
Senators
Quantity
Senate Members
Value
15
Symbol
1 Chief + 14 Associate
Quantity
Supreme Court Justices
Important facts
- 17 Regions, 81 provinces, 144 cities, 1,490 municipalities, 42,029 barangays (2017)
- Region → Province → City/Municipality → Barangay hierarchy
- Component cities are part of provinces; independent cities are not
- NCR has 17 cities/municipalities including Manila and Quezon City
- ARMM (now BARMM) covers Muslim Mindanao areas
- CAR covers Cordillera mountain provinces
Key definitions
Local Government Unit
Example
Province, city, municipality, barangay
Political subdivision with substantial control of local affairs
Barangay
Example
Less than 1,000 inhabitants, headed by punong barangay
Smallest political unit, basic unit of Philippine political system
Highly Urbanized City
Example
Independent of provincial supervision
City with 200,000+ population and P100M+ annual income
Diagrams to know
- Philippine administrative divisions map
- Local government hierarchy structure
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards (RA 6713)
Important facts
- All public officials must uphold accountability, integrity, competence, loyalty
- SALN filing: Within 30 days of assumption, annually by April 30, within 30 days of separation
- Prohibited: Accepting gifts, outside employment conflicts, misuse of confidential info
- Divestment required within 60 days if business interests conflict
- Penalties: Fine up to 6 months salary, suspension up to 1 year, or removal
- Criminal penalties: Up to 5 years imprisonment or P5,000 fine
Key definitions
Public Trust
Example
Officials must serve public interest over personal interest
Principle that public office is held in trust for the people
SALN
Example
Annual declaration of wealth and financial interests
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth that public officials must file
Conflict of Interest
Example
Official owning shares in company regulated by their office
Situation where personal interests may conflict with official duties
Diagrams to know
- SALN filing timeline and requirements
- Prohibited acts and transactions flowchart
Must remember
- Senate: 24 members, 6-year terms, 2-term limit, age 35+, nationwide election
- House: Max 250 members, 3-year terms, 3-term limit, age 25+, district election
- President: 6-year term, NO reelection, age 40+, 10-year residency
- Supreme Court: 1 Chief Justice + 14 Associates, age 40+, 15-year legal experience
- Constitutional Commissions: CSC, COMELEC, COA - all independent, 7-year terms
- Party-list system: 2% threshold for seat, represents marginalized sectors
- Bill to law: 3 readings in each chamber, bicameral conference if needed
- SALN filing: 30 days after assumption, annually by April 30, 30 days after separation
- Local government levels: Region → Province → City/Municipality → Barangay
- 17 regions, 81 provinces, 144 cities, 1,490 municipalities, 42,029 barangays
Last minute tips
- Remember the specific age requirements: Senate 35+, House 25+, President/VP 40+, SC Justice 40+
- Don't confuse term limits: Senate 2 terms max, House 3 terms max, President NO reelection
- Constitutional Commissions all have 7-year terms WITHOUT reappointment - key difference from other positions
- Party-list system requires exactly 2% of votes for first seat - not majority or plurality
- SALN must be filed three times: assumption, annually, and separation - memorize the 30-day and April 30 deadlines
Comparison tables
Senate vs House of Representatives
| Feature | Senate | House of Representatives |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Members | 24 | Maximum 250 |
| Term of Office | 6 years | 3 years |
| Term Limits | 2 terms max | 3 terms max |
| Age Requirement | 35+ years | 25+ years |
| Election Scope | Nationwide | District-based |
| Residency Requirement | 2 years | 1 year |
Constitutional Commissions Comparison
| Commission | Composition | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Service Commission | Chairman + 2 Commissioners | Administer merit system |
| Commission on Elections | Chairman + 6 Commissioners | Conduct elections |
| Commission on Audit | Chairman + 2 Commissioners | Audit government funds |
Court System Hierarchy
| Court Level | Composition | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Chief Justice + 14 Associates | Constitutional review, final appeals |
| Court of Appeals | Presiding Justice + 50 Associates | Appeals from trial courts |
| Regional Trial Court | RTC Judges | Major cases in regions |
| Municipal Trial Court | MTC Judges | Minor cases in municipalities |
Diagrams
Philippine Government Structure Overview
Complete overview of the three branches of government plus constitutional commissions and their key features
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Step-by-step process of how a bill becomes a law in the Philippine legislative system
Philippine Presidents Timeline
Chronological list of Philippine presidents from Aguinaldo to Duterte with their start years