Government Structure — Legislative, Executive & Judicial - Revision Notes
The Philippine government operates under a democratic system with three co-equal branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This separation of powers ensures checks and balances, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful. Understanding this structure is crucial for CSE examinations, as it forms the foundation of Philippine governance and public administration.
Legislative Department (Article VI)
Exam tips
- Memorize the 12 specific duties of Congress listed in the Constitution
- Remember the legislative process flowchart for bill passage
- Focus on qualifications differences between Senate and House
- Understand party-list system mechanics and sector representation
Key points
- Bicameral legislature composed of Senate and House of Representatives
- Senate: 24 members, 6-year terms, maximum of 2 terms, elected nationally
- House: Maximum 250 members, 3-year terms, maximum of 3 terms, elected by district and party-list
- Senate qualifications: Natural-born citizen, 35+ years old, literate, 2+ years residency
- House qualifications: Natural-born citizen, 25+ years old, literate, registered voter, 1+ year residency
- Party-list system represents marginalized sectors (except religious)
- Regular sessions start 4th Monday of July until June of succeeding year
- Bills must pass through three readings in both chambers
Definitions
Legislative Power
Authority under the Constitution to make laws and to alter and repeal them
Importance
Core function of Congress in creating legal framework for society
Party-List System
Electoral system allowing sectoral representation in Congress with minimum 2% vote requirement
Importance
Ensures marginalized sectors have voice in legislation
Bicameral Legislature
Two-chamber legislative system with Senate (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house)
Importance
Provides checks and balances within legislative branch
Common mistakes
- Confusing Senate and House term limits (Senate: 2 terms, House: 3 terms)
- Forgetting that party-list requires 2% minimum vote threshold
- Mixing up age requirements (Senate: 35+, House: 25+)
- Not knowing that religious sectors cannot form party-list groups
Executive Department (Article VII)
Exam tips
- Memorize the list of Philippine Presidents and their terms
- Focus on the 5 key presidential duties listed in Article VII
- Remember that President serves as both head of state and government
- Understand the difference between President and Prime Minister systems
Key points
- Executive power vested in the President as head of state and government
- President and Vice President serve 6-year single term (no reelection)
- Qualifications: Natural-born citizen, registered voter, literate, 40+ years old, 10+ years residency
- President serves as Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces
- Power to veto bills, appoint officials, declare martial law, grant pardons
- Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President
- Vice President assumes presidency if President is unable to serve
Definitions
Executive Power
Power to administer laws, carrying them into practical operation and enforcing due observance
Importance
Ensures laws passed by Congress are implemented effectively
Commander-in-Chief
Constitutional role of President as supreme head of all armed forces
Importance
Establishes civilian authority over military forces
Veto Power
Presidential authority to reject bills passed by Congress
Importance
Provides executive check on legislative power
Common mistakes
- Thinking President can serve two terms (only one 6-year term allowed)
- Confusing presidential powers with congressional powers
- Forgetting 10-year residency requirement for President/VP
- Not knowing that President cannot run for reelection
Judicial Department (Article VIII)
Exam tips
- Memorize Supreme Court composition and qualifications
- Understand the 5 powers of Supreme Court listed in Article VIII
- Know the court system hierarchy and jurisdiction levels
- Remember special courts and their specific functions
Key points
- Judicial power vested in Supreme Court and lower courts established by law
- Supreme Court: 1 Chief Justice + 14 Associate Justices
- SC qualifications: Natural-born citizen, 40+ years old, 15+ years legal practice, proven competence
- Court hierarchy: Supreme Court → Court of Appeals → Regional Trial Courts → Lower courts
- Supreme Court has final authority on constitutional interpretation
- Special courts: Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan
- Judicial review power to determine constitutionality of laws and government acts
Definitions
Judicial Power
Power to apply laws to contests involving legally recognized rights and duties
Importance
Ensures justice and resolution of legal disputes
Judicial Review
Power to determine validity/constitutionality of laws and government acts
Importance
Provides judicial check on legislative and executive branches
Court of Appeals
Intermediate appellate court with 1 Presiding Justice and 50 Associate Justices
Importance
Handles appeals from Regional Trial Courts
Common mistakes
- Confusing number of Supreme Court justices (15 total: 1 Chief + 14 Associates)
- Not understanding court hierarchy and jurisdiction
- Mixing up qualifications for different court levels
- Forgetting special courts like Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals
Constitutional Commissions (Article IX)
Exam tips
- Memorize composition and terms of each commission
- Focus on specific powers and functions of each commission
- Remember qualifications for commissioners
- Understand independence principle and appointment process
Key points
- Three independent constitutional commissions: Civil Service, COMELEC, COA
- Civil Service Commission: Administers civil service, merit-based appointments
- COMELEC: Conducts elections, 1 Chairman + 6 Commissioners, 7-year terms
- Commission on Audit: Audits government finances, 1 Chairman + 2 Commissioners
- All commissioners serve 7-year terms without reappointment
- Appointed by President with consent of Commission on Appointments
- Independent from political interference to ensure integrity
Definitions
Constitutional Commissions
Independent bodies established in Constitution with specific mandates
Importance
Ensure integrity in civil service, elections, and government auditing
Merit System
Civil service appointments based on qualifications and competitive examination
Importance
Prevents political patronage in government employment
COMELEC
Commission on Elections that administers electoral process
Importance
Ensures free, orderly, and honest elections
Common mistakes
- Confusing composition of different commissions
- Not knowing 7-year term limit without reappointment
- Mixing up functions of CSC, COMELEC, and COA
- Forgetting independence from political interference
Local Government and Ethics
Exam tips
- Memorize current LGU numbers (17 regions, 81 provinces, etc.)
- Know the 6 grounds for impeachment
- Understand SALN requirements and ethics code provisions
- Remember Ombudsman qualifications and duties
Key points
- Local Government Code (RA 7160) implements Article X provisions
- Hierarchy: Region → Province → City/Municipality → Barangay
- Three city classifications: Highly Urbanized, Independent Component, Component
- 17 regions, 81 provinces, 144 cities, 1,490 municipalities, 42,029 barangays
- Code of Ethics (RA 6713) sets standards for public officials
- SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, Net Worth) required annually
- Ombudsman investigates government corruption and misconduct
Definitions
Barangay
Smallest political unit, basic unit of Philippine political system
Importance
Foundation of local governance and community organization
SALN
Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth filed by public officials
Importance
Promotes transparency and prevents corruption
Ombudsman
Independent office investigating government misconduct (Tanodbayan)
Importance
Ensures accountability of public officials
Common mistakes
- Not knowing current number of provinces and regions
- Confusing city classifications and their characteristics
- Forgetting SALN filing requirements and deadlines
- Mixing up Ombudsman powers and impeachable officials
Connections
- Separation of Powers principle ensures no single branch dominates government
- Checks and balances system allows each branch to limit others' power
- Constitutional commissions provide independent oversight of government operations
- Local Government Code decentralizes power from national to local levels
- Ethics laws and SALN requirements promote transparency and accountability
- Bill passage process requires cooperation between legislative chambers
- Judicial review power allows courts to check legislative and executive actions
Quick review questions
How many senators serve in the Philippine Senate and what is their term of office?
Answer
24 senators serve 6-year terms with a maximum of 2 terms
The Senate is composed of 24 members elected nationwide, serving longer terms than House representatives to provide stability and broader perspective in legislation.
What are the minimum vote requirements for party-list representation?
Answer
A party-list group needs at least 2% of total votes cast to be entitled to one representative
This threshold ensures that only groups with sufficient public support gain representation while preventing excessive fragmentation of the House.
Can a Philippine President run for reelection?
Answer
No, the President serves only one 6-year term and cannot be reelected
This provision prevents the concentration of power and ensures regular leadership change in the executive branch.
How many justices comprise the Supreme Court?
Answer
15 justices: 1 Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices
This composition allows the Court to sit en banc or in smaller divisions while ensuring thorough deliberation on important cases.
What are the three independent constitutional commissions?
Answer
Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and Commission on Audit (COA)
These commissions are established in the Constitution to insulate critical government functions from political interference.
Diagrams
Philippine Government Structure Overview
Comprehensive overview showing the three branches of government and constitutional commissions with their key characteristics
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Step-by-step process showing how bills navigate through both chambers of Congress and presidential action to become law
Philippine Court System Hierarchy
Hierarchical structure of Philippine courts showing the flow of appeals and different jurisdictions
Philippine Presidents Timeline
Chronological timeline of Philippine presidents showing the succession of executive leadership from the First Republic to recent administrations
Exam strategy
Focus on memorizing specific numbers (terms, compositions, qualifications), understand the relationships between different government levels, practice identifying powers and functions of each branch, and review the legislative process flowchart. Pay special attention to constitutional commissions' independence and local government hierarchy. For CSE exams, expect questions on qualifications, terms of office, and specific powers of each branch.