Lesson 3

Parts of the 1987 Constitution

1. Constitution of Government
The present Constitution established a representative democracy or a presidential form of
government acknowledging the civilian authority as supreme over the military. Its prime duty is
to serve and protect the people.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the Philippine government is composed of three equal branches.

1. Legislative Department. A branch of government that has the power to pass, amend, and

repeal laws. The legislative power is conferred upon Congress, i.e., House of Representatives

and the Philippine Senate, except to the extent reserve to the people by the provision on
initiative and referendum.

2. Executive Department. This is another branch of government charged with the execution and

enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs. This executive branch

of government is composed of the following;

 President
 Vice-President
 The Cabinet
 Local Government

3.Judicial Department. This is the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws

and the administration of justice. Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and other lower

courts established by law. The judiciary has the duty to settle actual controversies involving

rights, which are legally demandable and enforceable. This judicial branch of the government is

composed of the following courts;

 Supreme Court
 The Court of Appeals
 The Court of Tax Appeals
 The Sandiganbayan
 The Trial Courts of the First and the Second Level