Philippine Constitution and Government (POL1201) Reviewer
ARTICLE VI - Legislative Department
In Article VI, Section 1, Legislative power is the authority to make laws and repeal them.
The term of Senators is 6 years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The House of Representatives is composed of district and party-list representatives.
Legislative districts must be contiguous, compact, and adjacent.
Members of Congress are exempt from arrest for offenses punishable by not more than 6 years during session.
No member of Congress shall be questioned elsewhere for any speech or debate in Congress.
All appropriations and revenue bills must originate from the House of Representatives.
ARTICLE VII - Executive Department
The power to enforce and administer laws is called Executive power.
The President must be a natural-born Filipino, able to read and write, at least 40 years old, and a resident for 10 years.
The Vice President has the same qualifications as the President.
The President and Vice President are elected for a term of 6 years.
The Vice President may be appointed as a Cabinet member.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The President may approve or veto bills passed by Congress.
The President may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons except in cases of impeachment.
ARTICLE VIII - Judicial Department
Judicial power includes the duty to settle actual controversies involving enforceable rights.
The Supreme Court is composed of one Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices.
Judges and Justices must be persons of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.
The Judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy; its approved budget shall be automatically released.
The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review to declare acts unconstitutional.
The Judicial and Bar Council screens and recommends appointments to the judiciary.
The SC has administrative supervision over all courts and their personnel.
The Constitution requires a Justice of the SC to be at least 40 years old.
ARTICLE IX - Constitutional Commissions
The three independent Commissions are the Civil Service Commission COMELEC (Commission on Election), and Commission on Audit.
Commissioners are prohibited from holding any other office during their tenure.
The salaries of Commissioners shall not be decreased during their term.
The Commissions enjoy fiscal autonomy.
The CSC administers the merit system of employment.
The COMELEC enforces and administers all laws relating to elections.
The COA examines and audits all accounts of the government.
Commissioners may be removed only by impeachment.
ARTICLE X - Local Government
The political subdivisions of the Philippines are provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
LGUs are guaranteed local autonomy to manage their local affairs.
The Local Government Code defines the powers of LGUs.
The President exercises general supervision over LGUs.
Local officials serve for 3 years per term.
LGUs may create their own sources of revenue within limits set by law.
LGUs shall have a just share in national taxes.
A plebiscite is required to create or modify LGUs.
ARTICLE XI - Accountability of Public Officers
Public office is a public trust.
The President, VP, SC Justices, Ombudsman, and Commissioners may be removed only by impeachment.
The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases.
The Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases.
Impeachable offenses include treason, bribery, graft, and betrayal of public trust.
The purpose of impeachment is to protect the public, not to punish the respondent.
All public officers must remain accountable to the Filipinos they serve.
Public officers must, at all times, serve with responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.
ARTICLE XII - National Economy & Patrimony
The goals of the economy include equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth.
Natural resources are owned by the State.
The State promotes industrialization and full employment.
The Filipino First Policy prioritizes Filipino citizens in the national economy.
The State shall protect Filipino enterprises from unfair competition.
Rural development shall uplift the quality of life of farmers.
The exploration and use of natural resources shall be under the full control of the State.
The State shall promote an independent and competitive national economy.
ARTICLE XIII - Social Justice & Human Rights
The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Workers shall be entitled to a living wage and humane working conditions.
Agrarian reform provides land to landless farmers.
The State shall protect the rights of indigenous peoples over their ancestral lands.
Evictions shall not be allowed without adequate consultation and relocation.
The State shall protect the interests of consumers.
Accessible healthcare is part of the right to health.
The Commission on Human Rights shall investigate all forms of human rights violations.
ARTICLE XIV - Education, Science, Culture & Sports
The State shall protect and promote the right to quality education.
The State shall foster the preservation of national culture and heritage.
Science and technology are essential for national development.
The State shall support the development of Filipino talents in arts and letters.
Academic freedom is enjoyed by all institutions of higher learning.
Sports promote physical fitness and nation-building.
The State shall promote scientific and technological research and inventions.
The national language shall be further enriched and developed.
ARTICLE XV - The Family
The family is the foundation of the nation and shall be protected by the State.
Marriage is an inviolable social institution.
Spouses have the right to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions.
Children have the right to protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
Families have the right to a family living wage.
Families shall participate in the planning and implementation of policies that affect them.
Families have a primary duty to care for their elderly members.
The State shall strengthen the family solidarity.