Branches of the Government

Government Structure and Authority

• The President of the Philippines has the authority to declare Martial Law.
• The President serves a term of six years.
• To become the President of the Philippines, one must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years.

Martial Law and Succession

• Martial Law allows the President to take control of the government and impose military rule.
• In the event of the President's inability to discharge duties, the Vice President is next in the line of succession.
• If the Vice President is unable to discharge duties, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate is next in line.

Executive Branch

• Cabinet Secretaries are responsible for implementing the policies and programs of the President.
• There are currently 25 Cabinet Secretaries in the Philippines.
• The Department of Tourism manages the tourism industry in the Philippines.
• The President has the authority to create or dissolve any department.

Provincial Government

• The Governor is the chief executive of a province in the Philippines.

Judiciary

• To become a judge in the Philippines, one must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, and have been a lawyer for at least 10 years.
• A naturalized Canadian lawyer cannot become a Justice in the Philippines.
• The age limit for serving as a judge in the Philippines is 70 years old.
• The minimum experience required to join the judiciary is 10 years.
• The Supreme Court has the power to discipline the judges of lower courts.

Government Oversight

• The Commission on Audit examines and audits the money used by government agencies.
• The Supreme Court has the responsibility to check if the Executive or Legislative branches are adhering to the 1987 Constitution.
• The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints against government officials, especially on graft and corruption.
• The Civil Service Commission has the power to set the standards on personnel management within their respective areas/region.

Elections

• General elections are held in the Philippines every three years.
• The majority profession of members in the Commission on Elections is lawyers.
• The Commission on Elections submits reports to the President and Congress after handling the general conduct and rules of all elections.

Legislative Process

• A bill goes through three readings in the House Committee before it can be discussed and debated on.
• A bill needs a simple majority of 13 votes to pass if there are 24 Senators present.
• A majority vote of 2/3 of all members is needed to veto a bill.
• If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it becomes a law after 30 days.
• A bill can still become a law if it is overridden by a 2/3 vote of both Houses of Congress.

Qualifications for Public Office

• The minimum age requirement to become a Philippine Senator is 35 years old.
• The minimum age requirement to become a member of the House of Representatives is 25 years old.
• A person must live in the Philippines for at least two years to qualify as a Senator.
• To run as a Congresswoman (District Representative), one must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 25 years old, and a resident of the district for at least one year.

War and Legislation

• The President has the power to declare war in the Philippines.
• A member of the House of Representatives serves a term of three years.
• The President and members of Congress have the power to propose a bill.
• A bill can be introduced by giving it to the Secretary of the Senate or the House of Representatives.