Readings in Philippine

History

E V O L U T IO N O F T H E P H IL IP P IN E C O N S T IT U T IO N

Prepared by Group 2 BSMB 1F

Members: Von Genevieve Loquias , Daryl Dave Quipit , Aivan Jay

Limpahan , Mark Lorenz Tagayon , Charles Dave Taagayon , Mark
Levrick Marcil.
 THE PHILIPPINE POLITICS COAT OF ARMS OF THE PHILIPPINES THE
PHILIPPINES IS (NOW) A DEMOCRATIC NATION WITH A THREE-BRANCH SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT THAT IS LED BY A PRESIDENT WHO IS DIRECTLY ELECTED TO SERVE AS
BOTH THE HEAD OF STATE AND THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT. THE FORMER RULE OF BOTH
SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY'S LEGAL SYSTEM,
WHICH IS A BLEND OF COMMON LAW AND CIVIL LAW. A STRONG ELITE CONTROLS THE
COUNTRY'S POLITICS, AND DYNASTY POLITICS ARE PREVALENT BOTH LOCALLY AND
NATIONALLY

• What is a Constitution?
Defined as a set of fundamental principle or established precedent
according to which a state or other organization is governed, thus the word itself means to be part
of a whole, the coming together of distinct entities into one group with the same principles and
ideals. These define the nature and extent of government.
 THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES
FILIPINO: SALIGANG BATAS NG PILIPINAS O KONSTITUSYON NG
PILIPINAS

• The constitution or the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines .

• The Constitutional Commission finished the final draft on October 12, 1986, and it was approved
by a national referendum on February 2, 1987.
• The country has also been successfully ruled by three previous constitutions during its history:
the Commonwealth Constitution Constitution of the Philippines Filipino: Saligang Batas ng
Pilipinas o Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas of 1935, the Constitution of 1973, and the Freedom
Constitution of 1986
MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

• In 1899, the Malolos Constitution, the first Philippine Constitution—the first republican constitution in Asia—
was drafted and adopted by the First Philippine Republic, which lasted from 1899 to 1901. The constitution
explicitly detailed safeguards against abuses and listed the national and personal rights of all people, not only
Filipinos and foreigners. The Assembly of Representatives, which was consisted of representatives chosen
legally, wielded the legislative functions.
• The constitution was written by Felipe Calderón y Roca and Felipe Buencamino as an alternative
to a pair of proposals to the Malolos Congress by Apolinario Mabini and Pedro Paterno. After a lengthy debate
in the latter part of 1898, it was promulgated on 21 January 1899. The Malolos Constitution is known as the
Constitución Política de Malolos and it was written in Spanish. Following the Declaration of Independence
from Spain on June 12, 1898 and transformation of the dictatorial government to a revolutionary government
on 23 June, the constitution was convened in Barasoain Church in Malolos (now Malolos City, Bulacan).
 ISSUES DURING THE
MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

• Separation of the church and government.

• Identifying the status of each.
• Free education in public elementary schools.
• Protection of lives, homes and property.
• Collection of taxes in accordance with the law.
• Executive and Judicial power.
THE 1935 CONSTITUTION
• The Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935–1946) drafted, adopted, and used the 1935 Constitution, which
was later used by the Third Republic (1946–1972). It was created to comply with the demands outlined in
the Tydings-McDuffie Act in order to get the nation ready for independence. In order to get the nation ready
for independence, the Commonwealth Constitution was ratified. The Malolos Constitution, the German,
Spanish, and Mexican Constitutions, the constitutions of various South American nations, and the
unwritten English Constitution all left their marks on this document, which was mostly influenced by
Americans. It originally called for a unicameral government with a president and vice president chosen for a
six-year term without the option of running for re-election. A bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate
and a House of Representatives was made possible by an amendment made in 1940. The right to vote for
male citizens of the Philippines who are twenty-one years of age or older and can read and write was
protected; this protection later extended to the right of suffrage for women two years after the adoption of
the constitution. The president and vice president are elected to four-year terms with one opportunity for
reelection. On February 8, 1935, the conference accepted the draft constitution, and President Roosevelt
ratified it in Washington, D.C. at 25 March 1935. On September 16, 1935, elections were held, and
Manuel L. Quezon was chosen to serve as the Commonwealth of the Philippines' inaugural president.
PREAMBLE
1935 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
"THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, IMPLORING THE AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A GOVERNMENT THAT
SHALL EMBODY THEIR IDEALS, CONSERVE AND DEVELOP THE PATRIMONY OF THE NATION, PROMOTE THE GENERAL
WELFARE, AND SECURE TO THEMSELVES AND THEIR POSTERITY THE BLESSINGS OF INDEPENDENCE UNDER A REGIME
OF JUSTICE, LIBERTY, AND DEMOCRACY, DO ORDAIN AND PROMULGATE THISCONSTITUTION."

• The 1935 Constitution

The 1935 Constitution was written in 1934, approved and adopted by the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935–1946) and later
used by the Third Republic of the Philippines (1946–1972). It was written with an eye to meeting the approval of the United States Government as
well, so as to ensure that the U.S. would live up to its promise to grant the Philippines independence and not have a premise to hold onto its
"possession" on the grounds that it was too politically immature and hence unready for full, real independence.

• The original 1935 Constitution provided for unicameral National Assembly and the President was elected to a six-year term without re-election. It
was amended in 1940 to have a bicameral Congress composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, as well the creation of an independent
electoral commission. The Constitution now granted the President a four-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms in office.

• A Constitutional Convention was held in 1971 to rewrite the 1935 Constitution. The convention was stained with manifest bribery and corruption.
Possibly the most controversial issue was removing the presidential term limit so that Ferdinand E. Marcos could seek election for a third term,
which many felt was the true reason for which the convention was called. In any case, the 1935 Constitution was suspended in 1972 with Marcos'
proclamation of martial law, the rampant corruption of the constitutional process providing him with one of his major premises for doing so.
THE 1943 CONSTITUTION
• The Philippine Executive Commission, a body set up by the Japanese to govern the Philippines in place of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines, which had created a government-in-exile, constituted a committee to draft
the 1943 Constitution. The Filipinos were promised "the honor of independence" by Japanese Premier Hideki
Tojo in the middle of 1942, which meant that the commission would be replaced by a formal republic.
• Those with prior experience serving as delegates to the conference that wrote the 1935 Constitution made up a
sizable portion of the Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence, which was tasked with creating a
new constitution. However, their plan for the republic to be founded during the Japanese occupation would
have a short lifespan, indirect parliamentary elections rather than direct ones, and a stronger executive branch.
• The new charter was confirmed in 1943 by an assembly of selected province representatives of the KALIBAPI,
the fascist political organization founded by the Japanese to replace all prior political parties, following the
committee's ratification of the text. After the Kalibapi assembly approved it, the Second Republic was formally
established (1943–1945). On October 14, 1943, José P. Laurel was inaugurated as president following his
election by the National Assembly. Laurel was well-liked by the Japanese due to his degree from the Tokyo
Imperial University and his public criticism of American policy in the Philippines.
• The United States, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and the guerrilla groups who supported them never
acknowledged the 1943 Constitution as legal or binding, but it was still in effect in the parts of the Philippines that
were under Japanese control. President Laurel effectively ruled by decree in late 1944 when he declared war on the
United States and the British Empire. In December 1944, his administration likewise fled, first to Taiwan and later to
Japan. The Second Republic was formally dissolved by Laurel with the declaration of Japan's capitulation.
• The 1943 Constitution gave the executive branch substantial autonomy. Only individuals deemed to be opposed to
the United States were eligible to run for office in the unicameral National Assembly, which served as the
legislature. However, in actuality, most members were appointed rather than elected.

PREAMBLE
The 1943 Constitution
The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence and desiring to lead a free national
existence, do hereby proclaim their independence, and in order to establish a government that shall
promote the general welfare, conserve and develop the patrimony of the Nation, and contribute to
the creation of a world order based on peace, liberty, and moral justice, do ordain this Constitution."
• The Constitution of the Second Republic (1943)
The 1943 Constitution was
drafted by a committee appointed by the Philippine Executive Commission, the body established by the Japanese to
administer the Philippines in lieu of the Commonwealth of the Philippines which had established a government-in-
exile. The Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence tasked with drafting a new constitution was composed
in large part, of members of the prewar National Assembly and of individuals with experience as delegates to the
convention that had drafted the 1935 Constitution.
• Upon approval of the draft by the Committee, the new charter was ratified in 1943 by an assembly of appointed,
provincial representatives of the KALIBAPI, the organization established by the Japanese to supplant all previous
political parties. Upon ratification by the KALIBAPI assembly, the Second Republic was formally proclaimed (1943–
1945). José P. Laurel was appointed as President by the National Assembly and inaugurated into office in October
1943. Laurel was highly regarded by the Japanese for having openly criticized the US for the way they ran the
Philippines.
• The 1943 Constitution remained in force in Japanese-controlled areas of the Philippines, but was never recognized as
legitimate or binding by the governments of the United States or of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and
guerrilla organizations loyal to them. His government in turn went into exile in December, 1944, first to Taiwan and
then Japan. After the announcement of Japan's surrender, Laurel formally proclaimed the Second Republic as
dissolved.
THE 1973 CONSTITUTION
• After Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed martial law, the 1973 Constitution was adopted with the intention of
establishing a parliamentary system of government. A unicameral National Assembly, whose members were
chosen for six-year terms, held the authority to enact legislation. The President was idealized as the symbolic
and purely ceremonial head of state elected from among the Members of the National Assembly for a six-year
term with the option of limitless re-election. The President was no longer a member of the National Assembly
after being elected. The President was prohibited from holding any other position or belonging to a political
party while he was in office.
• The Prime Minister, who was also chosen from from the Assemblymen in office, was supposed to exercise
executive authority. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and head of state were to be the Prime
Minister.
• In 1980 and 1981, the 1973 Constitution underwent more changes. The retirement age for members of the
judiciary was raised to 70 years old in the 1980 amendment. The legislative system was formally changed
into a semi-presidential system in the French manner by the reforms of 1981, which provided that:
• the President once again possessed executive authority.
• direct presidential election was reinstated.
• because the Prime Minister was only the head of the Cabinet, an executive committee with no more than 14
members was established to "help the President in the exercise of his powers and responsibilities and in the
execution of his duties as he may prescribe"
• provided that a natural-born Filipino citizen who has lost his citizenship may get a transfer of private land for
use as his dwelling and for electoral changes.

PREAMBLE
THE 1973 CONSTITUTION : AS AMENDED IN OCTOBER 16-17, 1976, ON JANUARY 30, 1980, AND APRIL 7, 1981.
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
"We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody our ideals, promote the general
welfare, conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of justice, peace,
liberty, and equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution."
The 1973 Constitution, promulgated after Marcos' declaration of martial law, was supposed to introduce a
parliamentary-style government. Legislative power was vested in a National Assembly whose members were elected
for six-year terms. The President was ideally supposed to be elected as the symbolic and purely ceremonial head of
state from the Members of the National Assembly for a six-year term and could be re-elected to an unlimited number
of terms. Upon election, the President ceased to be a member of the National Assembly.
During his term, the President was not allowed to be a member of a political party or hold any other office.
Executive power was meant to be exercised by the Prime Minister who was also elected from the Members of the
National Assembly. The Prime Minister was the head of government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
This constitution was subsequently amended four times.
On 16–17 October 1976, a majority of barangay voters (Citizen Assemblies) approved that martial law should be
continued and ratified the amendments to the Constitution proposed by President Marcos.
The 1976 amendments were:
 an Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) substituting for the Interim National Assembly.
 the President would also become the Prime Minister and he would continue to exercise legislative powers until
martial law should have been lifted.
The Sixth Amendment authorized the President to legislate:
• Whenever in the judgment of the President there exists a grave emergency or a threat or imminence thereof, or
whenever the Interim Batasang Pambansa or the regular National Assembly fails or is unable to act adequately on
any matter for any reason that in his judgment requires immediate action, he may, in order to meet the exigency,
issue the necessary decrees, orders or letters of instructions, which shall form part of the law of the land.

The 1973 Constitution was further amended in 1980 and 1981. In the 1981 amendments, the false parliamentary system
was formally modified into a French-style semi-presidential system:
 executive power was restored to the President;
 direct election of the President was restored;
 an Executive Committee composed of the Prime Minister and not more than fourteen members was created to
"assist the President in the exercise of his powers and functions and in the performance of his duties as he may
prescribe;" and the Prime Minister was a mere head of the Cabinet.
 Further, the amendments instituted electoral reforms and provided that a natural born citizen of the Philippines
who has lost his citizenship may be a transferee of private land for use by him as his residence.
In actual practice, while the 1973 Constitution was ideally supposed to set up a true parliamentary system,
the late President Marcos had made use of subterfuge and manipulation in order to keep executive power for
himself, rather than devolving executive powers to the Parliament, as headed by the Prime Minister.
The end result was that the 1973 Constitution - due to all amendments and subtle manipulations - was merely
the abolition of the Senate and a series of cosmetic text-changes where the old American-derived
terminologies such House of Representatives became known as the "Batasang Pambansa" (National
Assembly), Departments became known as "Ministries", cabinet secretaries became known as "cabinet
ministers", and the President's assistant - the Executive Secretary - became known as the "Prime Minister."
THE 1986 FREEDOM CONSTITUTION
President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3 as a temporary constitution immediately after the
People Power Revolution of 1986 that forced Marcos from power. Some of the 1973 Constitution's provisions
were adopted, while others were repealed. It mandated the president to convene a committee to draft a new,
more formal Constitution and gave the president considerable authority to restructure the government and
dismiss officials. With the approval of this document in 1987, the "Freedom Constitution" was replaced. This
was the interim constitution, which was in place for a year before the final constitution. Many of the 1973
Constitution's provisions were still in place, including—though in a modified form—the president's authority to
rule by decree. The President appoints 48 members to the Convention
The 1986 Freedom Constitution was promulgated by Presidential Proclamation on March 25, 1986
PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
ARTICLE 1
ADOPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE 1973 CONSTITUTION, AS AMENDED
• SECTION 1. The provisions of ARTICLE I (National Territory), ARTICLE III (Citizenship), ARTICLE IV (Bill
of Rights), ARTICLE V (Duties and Obligations of Citizens), and ARTICLE VI (Suffrage) of the 1973
Constitution, as amended, remain in the force and effect and are hereby adopted in toto as part of this
Provisional Constitution. SECTION 2. The provision of ARTICLE II (Declaration of Principles and State
Policies), ARTICLE VII (The President), ARTICLE X (The Judiciary), ARTICLE XI (Local Government),
ARTICLE XIII (Accountability of Public Officers), ARTICLE XIV (The National Economy and Patrimony of
the Nation), ARTICLE XV (General Provisions) of the 1973 Constitution, as amended, are hereby adopted as
part of this Provisional Constitution, as amended, are hereby adopted as part of this Provisional Constitution,
insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Proclamation.
ARTICLE II
THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE-PRESIDENT, AND THE CABINET
SECTION 1. Until a legislature is elected and convened under a New Constitution, the President shall continue
to exercise legislative power.
The President shall give priority to measures to achieve the mandate of the people to:
a) Completely reorganize the government and eradicate unjust and oppressive structures, and all iniquitous
vestiges of the previous regime
b) Make effective the guarantees of civil, political, human, social, economic and cultural rights and freedoms of
the Filipino people, and provide remedies against violations thereof;
c) Rehabilitate the economy and promote the nationalist aspirations of the people;
d) Recover ill-gotten properties amassed by the leaders and supporters of the previous regime and protect the
interest of the people through orders of sequestration or freezing of assets of accounts;
e) Eradicate graft and corruption in government and punish those guilty thereof; and,
f) Restore peace and order, settle the problem of insurgency, and pursue national reconciliation based on justice.
SECTION 2. The President shall be assisted by a Cabinet which shall be composed of Ministers with or
without portfolio who shall be appointed by the President. They shall be accountable to and hold office at the
pleasure of the President.
SECTION 3. The President shall have control of and exercise general supervision over all local governments
SECTION 4. In case of permanent vacancy arising from death, incapacity or resignation of the President, the
VicePresident shall become President.
In case of death, permanent incapacity, or resignation of the Vice-President, the Cabinet shall choose from among
themselves the Minister with portfolio who shall act as President.
SECTION 5. The Vice-President may be appointed Member of the Cabinet and may perform such other
functions as may be assigned to him by the President.
SECTION 6. The President, the Vice-President, and the Members of the Cabinet shall be subject to the
disabilities provided for in Section 8, Article VII, and in Section 6 and 7 Article IX, respectively, of the 1973
Constitution, as amended.

ARTICLE III
GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION
SECTION 1. In the reorganization of the government, priority shall be given to measures to promote economy,
efficiency, and the eradication of graft and corruption.
SECTION 2. All elective and appointive officials and employees under the 1973 Constitution shall continue in
the office until otherwise provided by proclamation or executive order or upon the designation or appointment and
qualification of their successors, if such is made within a period of one year from February 25, 1986.
SECTION 3. Any public office or employees separated from the service as a result of the reorganization effected
under this Proclamation shall, if entitled under the laws then in force, receive the retirement and other benefits accuring
thereunder.
SECTION 4. The records, equipment, buildings, facilities and other properties of all government offices shall be
carefully preserved. In case any office or body is abolished or reorganized pursuant to this Proclamation, its funds and
properties shall be transferred to the office or body to which its powers, functions, and responsibilities substantially
pertain.

ARTICLE IV
EXISTING LAWS
SECTION 1. All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, letters of instruction, implementing rules
and regulations, and other executive issuances not inconsistent with this Proclamation shall remain operative until
amended, modified, or repealed by the President or the regular legislative body to be established under a New
Constitution.
SECTION 2. The President may review all contracts, concessions, permits, or other forms of privileges for the
exploration, development, exploitation, or utilization of natural resources entered into, granted, issued, or acquired
before the date of this proclamation and when the national interest requires, amend, modify, or revoke them
 ARTICLE V
ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION
SECTION 1. Within sixty (60) days from date of this Proclamation, a Commission shall be appointed by the
President to draft a New Constitution. The Commission shall be composed of not less than thirty (30) nor more than
fifty (50) natural born citizens of the Philippines, of recognized probity, known for their independence, nationalism
and patriotism. They shall be chosen by the President after consultation with various sectors of society.
SECTION 2. The Commission shall complete its work within as short a period as may be consistent with the need
both to hasten the return of normal constitutional government to draft a document truly reflective of the ideals and
aspirations of the Filipino people.
SECTION 3. The Commission shall conduct public hearings to insure that the people will have adequate
participation in the formulation of the New Constitution.
SECTION 4. The plenary session of the Commission shall be public and fully recorded.
SECTION 5. The New Constitution shall be presented by the Commission to the President who shall fix the date
for the holding of a plebiscite. It shall become valid and effective upon ratification by a majority of the votes cast in
such plebiscite which shall be held within a period of sixty (60) days following its submission to the President.
 ARTICLE VI
HOLDING OF ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. National elections shall be held as may be provided by the New Constitution.
SECTION 2. Local elections shall be held on a date to be determined by the President which shall be held on
a date to be determined by the President which shall not be earlier than the date of the plebiscite for the
ratification of the New Constitution.

ARTICLE VII
EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 1. This Proclamation shall take effect upon its promulgation by the President SECTION 2.
Pursuant to the letter and spirit of this Proclamation, a consolidated official text of the Provisional Constitution
shall be promulgated by the President and published in English and Pilipino in the official Gazette and in
newspapers of general circulation to insure widespread dissemination.
DONE in the City of Manila, the 25th of March, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Six.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
• The Philippines' current Constitution.

The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines was delivered to President Corazon C. Aquino on October 15, 1986, after
being approved by the 1986 Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986. A plebiscite on February 2, 1987 resulted in its approval. It
became operative on February 11, 1987.
The 1987 Constitution established a representative democracy with the Executive, a bicameral Legislature, and the Judiciary as the
three distinct and independent parts of government. The Commission on Audit, the Civil Service Commission, and the Commission on
Elections were three more independent constitutional commissions. A comprehensive Bill of Rights, which guaranteed fundamental civil
and political rights and called for free, fair, and regular elections, was incorporated into the Constitution.
Branches or Separation of Powers in the 1987 Constitution
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
The President and Vice President, who make up the Executive branch, are chosen directly by the people and hold office for a period of
six years. According to the Constitution, the President has the power to choose his cabinet. The government's bureaucracy is largely
composed of these departments.
I. The President
• The President of the Philippines has executive authority under Article VII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution. As commander-in-chief
of the Philippine Armed Forces, the President serves as both the nation's head of state and government. The President is in charge of
all executive offices, bureaus, and departments as the chief executive.
Powers of The President
1. Power of control over the executive branch .
2. Power ordinance.
Six issuances that the President may issue: Executive orders; Administrative Orders; Proclamations; Memorandum Orders; Memorandum
Circulars; General or Special Powers.
3. Power over aliens.
4. Powers of eminent domain, escheat, land reservation and recovery of ill-gotten wealth.
5. Power of appointment.
6. Power of general supervision over local governments.
7. Other powers .
II. The Vice President
The Vice President of the Philippines is chosen directly by the electorate for a six-year term, with one opportunity for reelection. After a regular
election is held, the vice president of the Philippines takes office at noon on June 30.
Duties of The Vice President
The vice president may simultaneously take on a cabinet position under the constitution, provided the Philippine President offer the former one.
Along with holding the vice presidential office, the vice president will also serve as secretary. In addition to serving in the cabinet, the vice
president is required to take over as president in the event of the incumbent's decease, incapacity, or resignation.
• III. Cabinet Secretaries

Cabinet secretaries serve as the president's alter ego, carrying out in their various departments the authority of the Office of the
President with his authority. Depending on an administration's needs, the number of cabinet secretaries changes from time to time. The
Administrative Code of 1987 states that the Philippine President may establish or abolish any department as he sees suitable.
However, not all cabinet members are required to receive the Commission on Appointments' approval. The following require
confirmation before assuming their positions:
1. Executive Secretary
2. Secretary of Agrarian Reform
3. Secretary of Agriculture
4. Secretary of Budget and Management
5. Secretary of Education
6. Secretary of Energy
7. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
8. Secretary of Finnance
9. Secretary of Foreign Affairs
10. Secretary of Health
11. Secretary of Justice
12. Secretary of Labor and Employment
13. Secretary of National Defense
14. Secretary of Public Works and Highway
15. Secretary of Science and Technology
16. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
17. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
18. Secretary of Trade and Industry
19. Secretary of Transportation and Communications
20. Secretary of Tourism
21. Commission of Higher Education
22. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority
IV. Local Governments
The President of the Philippines is required to oversee local governments around the nation by Article X, Section 4 of the constitution.
The Local Government Code of 1991, also known as Republic Act No. 7160, grants local governments a certain amount of
independence from the federal government.
According to Section 17 of the Local Government Code, local governments are required to offer a variety of social services and
amenities, including the following:
• facilities and research services for agriculture and fishery activities, which include seedling nurseries, demonstration
farms, and irrigation systems;
• health services, which include access to primary health care, maternal and child care, and medicines, medical
supplies and equipment;
• social welfare services, which include programs and projects for women, children, elderly, and persons with
disabilities, as well as vagrants, beggars, street children, juvenile delinquents, and victims of drug abuse;
• information services, which include job placement information systems and a public library;
• a solid waste disposal system or environmental management system;
• municipal/city/provincial buildings, cultural centers, public parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities and equipment;
• infrastructure facilities such as roads, bridges, school buildings, health clinics, fish ports, water supply systems,
seawalls, dikes, drainage and sewerage, and traffic signals and road signs;
• public markets, slaughterhouses, and other local enterprises;
• public cemetery;
• tourism facilities and other tourist attractions; and
• sites for police and fire stations and substations and municipal jail.
The following is the list of local chief executives:
• barangay — punong barangay (barangay chairman)
• municipality — municipal mayor
• city — city mayor
• province — provincial governor

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Through the authority granted to the Philippine Congress, the legislative branch is empowered to enact, amend, and abolish laws. The Senate and the House of
Representatives make up this institution. The
House of Representatives shall consist of not more than 250 members (unless otherwise fixed by law), with 20% of those members having to be Party-list
representatives. The Senate shall be made up of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided
by law.
In addition to occasionally amending or changing the constitution itself, Congress is responsible for creating enabling laws to ensure that the constitution's spirit is
respected throughout the nation. The legislative body produces two basic documents: bills and resolutions, which are used to create laws.
Resolutions convey principles and sentiments of the Senate or the House of Representatives. Bills are laws in the making.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
he judicial branch has the authority to resolve disputes regarding legally demandable and enforceable rights. Whether or not there has been a serious abuse of
discretion amounting to a lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part and instrumentality of the government is determined by this branch. There is a Supreme Court
and several courts inside it. The Supreme Court has the authority to declare a treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation,
order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation unlawful, which is expressly granted by the Constitution. According to established legal precedent, the Supreme Court
and the lower courts have judicial authority. Its responsibility is to resolve actual disputes involving legally enforceable and demandable rights. The judiciary has
financial independence. The Legislature is not allowed to cut its appropriation below what was allocated the year before.