LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M.

JD 1D-A

CABINET MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENT 1

DEPARTMENT SECRETARY
1. Department of Finance Carlos Dominguez III
2. Department of Agriculture Emmanuel Piñol
3. Department of Public Works and Mark A. Villar
Highways
4. Department of Education Leonor Magtolis Briones
5. Department of Labor and Silvestre H. Bello III
Employment
6. Department of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana
7. Department of Social Welfare and Rolando Joselito D. Bautista
Development
8. Department of Agrarian Reform John R. Castriciones
9. Department of Interior and Local Eduardo M. Año
Government
10. Department of Transportation and Arthur Tugade
Communications
11. Department of Science and Fortunato Dela Peña
Technology
12. Department of Budget and Benjamin Diokno
Management
13. Department of Energy Alfonso G. Cusi
14. Department of Health Francisco Duque III
15. Department of Trade and Industry Ramon M. Lopez
16. Department of Tourism Bernadette Romulo Puyat
17. Department of Environment and Roy A. Cimatu
Natural Resources
18. Department of Information and Eliseo Rio Jr.
Communications Technology
19. National Economic Development Ernesto Pernia
Authority
20. Office of the Presidential Ernesto Abella
Spokesperson
21. Office of the Presidential Adviser on Jesus Dureza
the Peace Process
22. Presidential Adviser for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Diño
23. Presidential Management Staff Usec. Ferdinand B. Cui Jr.
24. Presidential Communications Martin Andanar
Operations Office
25. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero
26. Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Cesar R. Dulay
27. Bureau of Immigration Commisioner Jaime Hermo Morente
28. National Intelligence Coordinating Paul Alex Monteagudo
Agency
29. National Bureau of Investigation Atty. Dante Gierran
30. Philippine Drug Enforcement Director General Aaron N. Aquino
Agency
31. Land Transportation Office Edgar Galvante
32. Land Transportation and Atty. Martin Delgra
Franchising Regulatory Board
33. National Disaster Risk Reduction Ricardo Jalad
and Management Council
34. Office of the Solicitor General Jose Calida
35. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Chairman and CEO Andrea D. Domingo
Corp.
36. Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde
37. Armed Forces of the Philippines Lieutenant Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr.

1
“Cabinet of the Philippines” Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org

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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

38. Presidential Security Group Col/ Jose Eriel Niembra

39. National Security Council Director General Hermogenes Esperon
Jr.
40. Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
41. Secretary to the Cabinet Carlo Nograles

FUNCTIONS OF A CABINET SECRETARY

Cabinet secretaries act as the alter ego of the President executing, with his
authority, the power of the Office of the President in their respective departments. The
number of cabinet secretaries varies from time to time depending on the need of an
administration. According to the Administrative Code of 1987, the President of the
Philippines may create or dissolve any department as he sees fit.

APPOINTMENT OF CABINET SECRETARIES

According to the Article 7, Section 16, the President may appoint anyone to
executive departments with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. Names of
individuals nominated to cabinet posts are submitted to the Commission on Appointments
for their consideration.

An individual may not assume his post in a given department unless confirmed by
the Commission on Appointments. However, the constitution provides for individuals
becoming cabinet secretaries in an acting capacity before they are confirmed. According
to Article VII, Section 16 of the constitution, the president may appoint anyone to cabinet
posts even if Congress is in recess. These appointments are valid until the Commission
on Appointments disapproves them, or at the end of the next session of Congress.

Not all cabinet members, however, are subject to confirmation of the Commission
on Appointments. According to the Commission of Appointments website, the following
need confirmation in order to assume their posts:
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 Finance
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 Highways
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 on Higher Education
22. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority

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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

POWERS OF A CABINET SECRETARY

As stated, a cabinet secretary is the alter ego of the President in their respective
departments. Thus, they possess the power to issue directives relative to their
departments, such as department orders. These orders only apply to offices under a
specific department under the cabinet secretary’s jurisdiction. Cabinet secretaries also
act as advisors to the President of the Philippines for their areas.2

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ARTICLE 10, SECTION 1

The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the
provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be autonomous regions in
Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter Provided.3

Local Government

- This term refers to a political subdivision of a nation or state which is constituted

by law and has substantial control of local affairs, with officials elected or otherwise
locally selected. 4

- In the Philippines, it refers to provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.5

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The executive branch extends beyond the national government. According to

Article X, Section 4 of the constitution, the President of the Philippines is mandated to
supervise local governments all over the country. However, because of Republic Act No.

2
“The Executive Branch” Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph
3
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. X, Sec.1.
4
See Journal of Local Administration Overseas (July, 1962), p. 135.
5
De Leon, H. S. (2002) Textbook on the Philippine Constitution. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc. p. 311.

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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, local governments enjoy
relative autonomy from the national government.

Among the social services and facilities that local government should provide, as
stipulated in Section 17 of the Local Government Code, are the following:

a. facilities and research services for agriculture and fishery activities, which include
seedling nurseries, demonstration farms, and irrigation systems;
b. health services, which include access to primary health care, maternal and child
care, and medicines, medical supplies and equipment;
c. 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;
d. information services, which include job placement information systems and a
public library;
e. a solid waste disposal system or environmental management system;
f. municipal/city/provincial buildings, cultural centers, public parks, playgrounds, and
sports facilities and equipment;
g. 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;
h. public markets, slaughterhouses, and other local enterprises;
i. public cemetery;
j. tourism facilities and other tourist attractions; and
k. sites for police and fire stations and substations and municipal jail.

Local government units also have the power to create its own sources of revenue and
to levy taxes, fees, and charges that shall accrue exclusively to them.

Each local government has its own chief executive. The following is the list of local
chief executives:
1. barangay — punong barangay (barangay chairman)
2. municipality — municipal mayor
3. city — city mayor
4. province — provincial governor

The local chief executives have the power to approve or veto local ordinances
recommended by the local legislators.6

6
“The Executive Branch” Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

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LEGAL RESEARCH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
1. Provinces
 The provincial government takes
care of the functions which affect
the people of a certain province.
 The province is the largest political
unit in the Philippines. It possessed
the following powers: 1) to acquire
and transfer real and personal
properties, 2) to enter into
contracts, including those incurring
obligations, which are expressly
provided by law; and 3) to exercise
such other rights and incur such
other obligations as are expressly
authorized by law.
 There are 77 provinces in the
Philippines. They are classified
according to their average income
for five consecutive years. The
higher the income of the province,
the higher is its classification.7
2. Cities
 The chartered city is also a unit of
local administration. It is created by
a special law which serves as its
charter.
 The charter is the constitution of the
city. The charter creates the city,
defines its boundaries, provides its
system of government, and defines
the powers and duties of its
officials.
 A city or any of its officials cannot
perform any official act which is not
permitted by its charter.9
3. Municipalities
 Each province is composed of
municipalities commonly called
towns.
 The municipality is a public
corporation created by an act of
congress and is governed by the
Municipality Law, which defines its
duties and powers. Being public
corporations, municipalities can sue
or be sued in court; enter into
contracts; acquire and hold real and
personal properties for municipal
7
“Local Government” Retrieved from www.ph.net
8
“The Executive Branch” Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph
9
Ibid.
10
Ibid.
Homework No. 2
BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Provincial Governors
The provincial governor, as the chief
executive of the provincial government,
shall exercise and perform the following
powers and duties:
1. Exercise general supervision and
control over all programs, projects,
services, and activities of the provincial
government.
2. Enforce all laws and ordinances, and
implement all approved policies,
programs, projects, services and activities
of the province.
3. Initiate and maximize the generation of
resources and revenues, to be used for
the implementation of development plans,
program objectives and priorities.
4. Ensure the delivery of basic services
and the provision of adequate facilities as
provided for under Section 17 of the Local
Government Code.8
City Mayors
The city mayor, as the chief executive
of the city government, respectively, shall
exercise and perform the following powers
and functions:
1. Exercise general supervision and
control over all programs, projects,
services, and activities of the city
government;
2. Enforce all laws and ordinances, and
implement all approved policies,
programs, projects, services and activities
of the city;
3. Initiate and maximize the generation of
resources and revenues, to be used for
the implementation of development plans,
program objectives and priorities; and
4. Ensure the delivery of basic services
and the provision of adequate facilities as
provided for under Section 17 of the Local
Government Code.10
Municipal Mayors
The municipal mayor is the chief
executive officer of the town. His main
functions are:
1) to execute all laws and municipal
ordinances;
2) to supervise the administration of the
town;
3) to issue orders relative to the
maintenance of peace and order;
4) to preside over the meetings of the
municipal council; and
5) to recommend measures to the
municipal council aimed at the
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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

purposes; and exercise such other
powers as are granted by law.
 Municipalities are classified
according to their average annual
income for the last four fiscal years.
 There are 1,540 municipalities in
the Philippines.11
4. Barangays
 Each municipality or city is
composed of a number of villages
or barangays.
 The barangays are the smallest
units of local government in the
Philippines. They are governed by
the Barrio Charter.13
improvement of the social and economic
conditions of the people.12
Barangay Captains
The punong barangay, as the chief
executive of the barangay government,
shall exercise and perform the following
powers and functions:
1. enforce all laws and ordinances which
are applicable within the barangay;
2. negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts
for and in behalf of the barangay, upon
authorization of the Sangguniang
Barangay;
3. maintain public order in the barangay;
4. call and preside over the sessions of the
Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay
Assembly;
5. appoint or replace the barangay
treasurer, the barangay secretary, and
other appointive barangay officials;
6. organize and lead an emergency group
for the maintenance of peace and order or
on occasions of emergency or calamity
within the barangay;
7. prepare the annual executive and
supplemental budgets of the barangay, in
coordination with the Barangay
Development Council;
8. approve vouchers relating to the
disbursement of barangay funds;
9. enforce laws and regulations relating to
pollution control and protection of the
environment;
10. administer the operation of the
Katarungang Pambarangay;
11. exercise general supervision over the
activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan;
12. ensure the delivery of basic social
services and access to facilities;
13. conduct an annual palarong barangay
which shall feature traditional sports and
disciplines included in national and
international games; and
14. promote the general welfare of the
barangay.14

11
Ibid.
12
Ibid.
13
Ibid.
14
Ibid.

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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES, INDEPENDENT COMPONENT CITIES

AND COMPONENT CITIES15

Highly Urbanized Cities Independent Component Component Cities

Cities
1. Manila 1. Dagupan 1. Laoag
2. Quezon 2. Santiago 2. Candon
3. Caloocan 3. Naga 3. Vigan
4. Las Piñas 4. Ormoc 4. San Fernando
5. Makati 5. Cotabato 5. Alaminos
6. Malabon 6. San Carlos
7. Mandaluyong 7. Urdaneta
8. Marikina 8. Tugegarao
9. Muntinlupa 9. Cauayan
10. Navotas 10. Balanga
11. Parañaque 11. Malolos
12. Pasay 12. Meycauayan
13. Pasig 13. San Jose del Monte
14. San Juan 14. Cabanatuan
15. Taguig 15. Gapan
16. Valenzuela 16. Science City of
17. Baguio Muñoz
18. Angeles 17. Palayan
19. Olongapo 18. San Jose
20. Lucena 19. San Fernando
21. Puerto Princesa 20. Tarlac
22. Iloilo 21. Batangas
23. Bacolod 22. Lipa
24. Cebu 23. Tanauan
25. Mandaue 24. Cavite
26. Lapu-lapu 25. Dasmariñas
27. Tacloban 26. Tagaytay
28. Zamboanga 27. Trece Martirez
29. Cagayan de Oro 28. Calamba
30. Iligan 29. San Pablo
31. Davao 30. Santa Rosa
32. General Santos 31. Biñan
33. Butuan City 32. Antipolo
33. Calapan
34. Legazpi
35. Ligao
36. Tabaco
37. Iriga
38. Masbate
39. Sorsogon
40. Roxas
41. Passi
42. Bago
43. Cadiz
44. Escalante
45. Himamaylayan
46. Kabankalan
47. La Carlota
48. Sagay
49. San Carlos
50. Silay
51. Sipalay
52. Talisay
53. Victorias
15
“List of HUCs, ICCs and CCs” Retrieved from www.dilg.gov.ph

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LEGAL RESEARCH BORLAGDAN, ROSELLE M. JD 1D-A

54. Tagbilaran
55. danao
56. Talisay
57. Toledo
58. Bais
59. Bavawan
60. Canlaon
61. Dumaguete
62. Tanjay
63. Calbayog
64. Maasin
65. Dapitan
66. Dipolog
67. Isabela
68. Pagadian
69. Malaybalay
70. Valencia
71. Oroquieta
72. Ozamis
73. Tangub
74. Gingoog
75. Panabo
76. Island Garden of
Samal
77. Tagum
78. Digos
79. Kidapawan
80. Koronadal
81. Tacurong
82. Surigao
83. Bislig
84. Marawi

Highly Urbanized Cities

- A city with:
1. A minimum population of 200,000 inhabitants as certified by the National
Statistics Office; and
2. The latest annual income of at least 50 million pesos based on 1991 constant
prices, as certified by the city treasurer. 16
- Highly Urbanized Cities are the main part in the economic development of every
region, province or island. These cities help a lot in the development of the nation.
They have high facilities that can accommodate a lot of events, tourists and
businesses. 17

Independent Component Cities

- These cities are those whose charters prohibit their voters from voting for provincial
elective officials. 18

Component Cities

- They are the cities which are under a province’s jurisdiction.19

- These cities are those which do not meet the requirements for HUCs and ICCs.20

16
“What is a Highly Urbanized City?” Retrieved from https://www.doh.gov.ph
17
“Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines” Retrieved from bestcityaroundtheworld.blogspot.com
18
“Cities in the Philippines” Retrieved from https://www.senate.gov.ph
19
“List of Cities in the Philippines” Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org
20
“Cities in the Philippines” Retrieved from https://www.senate.gov.ph

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