The Three Branches of the

Philippine Government: An Overview

The Philippines is a democratic and republican State
with a presidential form of government, wherein
power is equally divided among its three branches:

Legislative Executive Judicial

 One basic corollary in a presidential system of
government is the principle of separation of powers
wherein legislation belongs to Legislative, execution to
the Executive, and interpretation and settlement of
legal controversies to the Judiciary.
The Legislative branch is authorized to
make laws, alter, and repeal them
through the power vested in the
Philippine Congress.

This institution is divided into the

House of Senate and the House of
Representatives.
The Executive branch is composed of
the President and the Vice President
who are elected by direct popular
vote and serve a term of six years.

The Constitution grants the President

authority to appoint his Cabinet.
These departments form a large
portion of the country’s bureaucracy.
 The Judicial branch holds the power to
settle controversies involving rights that
are legally demandable and enforceable.

This branch determines whether or not

there has been a grave abuse of
discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction on the part and
instrumentality of the government. It is
made up of a Supreme Court and lower
courts.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the Philippine
government seeks to act in the best interests of its
citizens through this system of checks and balances.
Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches.

Examples:

 The President can veto laws passed by Congress.

 Congress confirms or rejects the President's appointments and can
remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances.
 The Justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional
laws, are appointed by the President.
 The Constitution expressly grants the Supreme Court the power of Judicial
Review as the power to declare a treaty, international or executive
agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction,
ordinance or regulation unconstitutional.
In the entire discussion, you will be provided with knowledge
on the three different branches or department of the
Philippine government, including their powers, roles and
responsibilities.

As HUMSS students, these principles of co-equal and

coordinated powers of these branches will enlighten you in
dealing with the ideals of democracy and fairness, that seeks
to act in the best interests of its citizens.