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SECTION 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall - In fact, the constitution finds it important to create a specific
retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission they are commission, which is the commission elections, task solely on
deemed, under the law, to have renounced it. guaranteeing that our country's election laws are faithfully executed
▲ Means Of Losing Citizenship • Suffrage – the right and obligation of citizens to vote
• By naturalization in a foreign country - It carries with it the right to run for public office and be voted on
• By express renunciation of citizenship - It is a right considering that it is reserved for citizens of a country
• By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the constitution or - It is an obligation imposed by law in view of the fact that it is only
laws of a foreign country of on attaining 21 years of age through this process that the citizen can exercise actual sovereignty
thereby effecting change in a country's political landscape
▲ Scope Of Suffrage ■ Advantages of a Bicameral Legislature
• Election – refers to the means by which the people choose their - The two houses would produce a healthy check upon each other
officials for definite periods, and to whom they entrust for the time - The house of representatives was expected to reflect the popular will
being as their representatives, the exercise of the power of government of the average citizen, whereas the senate was to provide for stability,
• Plebiscite – refers to the submission of constitutional amendments continuity, and in-depth deliberation
for important legislative measures to the people for ratification
• Referendum – the power of the electorate to approve or reject a ■ Disadvantages of a Bicameral Legislature
legislation through an election called for the purpose
- Lack of fast action in legislation because in enacting important
• Initiative – the power of the people to propose amendments to the measure it still needs to pass the two chambers and if there are
constitution or to propose and enact legislation through an election disagreements as to the contents of each, it must undergo again another
called for the purpose forum - the conference committee
• Recall – pertains to the process of removing local government
officials through an election called for the purpose
▲ Nature of the legislative power of congress
- The nature of legislative power granted to the congress is plenary or
▲ Disqualifications of a Person to Vote full, to which all powers necessary to exercise this power is granted
• Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer subject only to such limitations, as are found in constitution
imprisonment for not less than one year, such disability not having - Hence, any power, deemed to be legislative by usage and tradition is
been removed by plenary pardon or granted amnesty; provided, necessarily possessed by the Philippine congress, unless the
however, but any person disqualified to vote under this paragraph shall constitution provides otherwise
automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five years
- The legislative power granted to the congress is classified into
after service of sentence
constituent, which is the power to amend and revise the constitution,
• Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by competent and ordinary, which is the power to pass ordinary laws
court or tribunal for of having committed any crime involving
- However, the grant of legislative power to the congress under the
disloyalty to the duly constituted government, such as rebellion,
present constitution is distinct from those crafted under the previous
sedition, violation of the anti-subversion and firearms laws, or any
constitutions
crime against national security, unless restored to his full civil and
political rights in accordance with law; provided, that he shall regain - The 1935 and 1973 constitution grant of legislative power to congress
his right to vote automatically upon expiration of five years after is not exclusive by virtue of the provision on initiative and referendum
service of sentence whereby the people can directly propose or reject any act or law or part
thereof passed by the congress
• Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority
- We give emphasis to the fact that we recognize the power of the
people to legislate under the concept of initiative and referendum
• Absentee voting – the principal aim of this law is to allow every
Filipino, wherever he may be in the world, to participate in our
country's electoral process ▲ Composition Of The Congress Of The Philippines
- This affirms his political right and thus provides an opportunity to 1. Senate of the Philippines – the upper chamber of the congress
fulfill his obligation as a citizen of the Philippines • Composition
- The senate consist of 24 members elected at large by qualified voters,
▲ Qualifications of Voters which means that they are national elected officials
• A citizen of the Philippines
• Not otherwise disqualified by law • Qualifications
• At least 18 years of age ■ Natural born citizen of the Philippines
• Shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the ■ At least 35 years of age
place wherein they proposed to vote for at least six months ■ Able to read and write
immediately preceding the election ■ A registered voter
■ A resident of the Philippines for not less than 2 years
ARTICLE VI (THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT)
• Legislative power – the authority, under the constitution, to make ■ Qualified voter – one having the constitutional qualification for the
laws, and to alter and repeal them privilege, who is duly registered pursuant to law, and has the present
• Congress – the law-making authority of the government of the right to vote at the election being held
Philippines ■ Domicile – the permanent home, the place to which, whenever
• Laws – the rules and regulations enacted by the legislature to guide absent for business or pleasure, one intends to return
our actions in society, govern our relations with our fellow Filipinos
and our relation with our government
• Term of office
- The term of office of senators is six years which shall begin unless
• Bicameral legislature – a congress consisting of two-house with a otherwise provided by law at noon on the thirtieth day of June after
schedule - the senate and the House of Representatives their election
• Unicameral legislature – congress consisting of one body - No senator can serve for more than two consecutive terms, and since
the term of office is 6 years, then what is prohibited under the
constitution is more than 12 successive years
- However, it should be noted that there is no limit as to the number of
years a person can serve as senator
- Although he had already served for two continuous terms, he can still • Apportionment Of Legislative District
run again to the same office provided there is an interval ■ Apportionment of legislative districts – dividing provinces, cities,
- Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time, like for and the Metropolitan Manila into the legislative districts
example resignation, shall not be considered as an interruption in the
continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected
■ Rules On Reapportionment Of Districts
◊ Legislative districts shall be apportioned among provinces, cities,
■ Term of office – refers to the period fixed by law/constitution and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of
during which a member of congress or an elected official will hold their respective inhabitants, on the basis of a uniform and progressive
office ratio
■ Tenure of office – actual number of years during which the official
holds the office
Uniform ratio – each district must be equal in population, or as
2. House of Representatives – consists of men and women who are equal as possible, thus a congressman represents a territorial unit
the elected representatives of the Filipino people whose population is roughly similar with each other
- It is expected to the members of the house to represent the needs and Progressive ratio – means that the increase in population in relation
aspirations and to carry out the desires of the Filipino people on to the size of the House of Representatives must be considered
matters of national concern
◊ Each city with a population of not less than 250,000 shall be entitled
• Composition to at least one representative and each province, irrespective of
- The house of representatives is composed of 10 times larger than the population is entitled to one representative
membership in the senate
- It is composed of not more than 250 members unless otherwise fixed ◊ Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable,
by law contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory
- This is to prevent gerrymandering
■ Two Kinds Of Members - Within three years following the return of every census, the congress
◊ District representatives – elected from legislative districts shall make a reapportionment of legislative district based on the
apportioned among the provinces, city, and metropolitan manila area standards provided above
- They constitute the majority (80%) of members of the House of
Representatives Gerrymandering – the drawing of legislative district out of a
◊ Party-list representatives – elected through the party-system of separate territories for the purpose of obtaining partisan advantage
registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organization - This word came from the name of Governor Elbridge Gerry of
- They constitute 20% of the total number of representatives Massachusetts and the salamander shaped district that was created to
favor his party in the election
• Qualifications
District representatives: • Party-list system
■ Natural born citizen of the Philippines ■ Party list – a mechanism of proportional representation in the
election of representatives to the House of Representatives in the
■ At least 25 years of age
election of other parties or organizations or coalitions thereof
■ Able to read and write registered with the commission on election
■ A registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected
■ A resident of the district and which he shall be elected for not less ■ Party list system of representation in the House of
than one year Representatives – a social justice tool designed not only to give more
laws to the great masses of our people who have less in life, but also to
Party-list representatives: enable for them to become veritable lawmakers themselves,
empowered to participate directly in the enactment of laws designed to
■ Natural born citizen of the Philippines benefit them
■ At least 25 years of age - It is intended to enable Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized
■ Able to read and write and unrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack
■ A registered voter well-defined constituencies but who could contribute to the
formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit
■ A resident of the Philippines for not less than one year
the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of
Representatives
• Term of office
- In the 1935 constitution, the term of office of the members of the ▲ Congressional Election
House of Representatives was four years
• Regular election – the regular election of both the members of the
- In 1973 constitution, the term of office for Mambabatas in the senate and House of Representatives and shall be held on the second
Batasang Pambansa was 6 years Monday of May
- Under the present constitution, the term of office of a congressman is • Special election – an election called for a fill a vacant position in the
reduced to 3 years two chambers of congress in a manner provided by law
- They can only be elected for three consecutive years or a continuous - In case a senator or a congressman is elected in a special election to
service of 9 years, however, like the senators there is no limit as to the fill a vacant seat, it shall only serve for the unexpired term
number of years a person can hold office as congressman
- They can still be elected for the same office provided there is an
interruption after serving for three consecutive terms
▲ Salaries And Privileges • Leadership in the senate
• Salaries ■ Senate president – the presiding officer of the senate elected for
- The constitution fixed initially the annual salary of senators and majority votes of all its members
congressmen to 204,000 - He holds office at the pleasure of his members and may be replaced
- These are subject to change by law. But when the members of at any time
congress and approved an increase in their compensation, it shall take ■ President pro tempore – an honorific position which presides when
effect only after the expiration of a full term of all the members of the the senate president is absent
senate and the House of Representatives approving such increase ■ Majority floor leader – the leader and spokesperson of the majority
party and his principal function is to schedule the business of the
• Privileges senate, generally in consultation with the senate minority leader
- The members of congress are accorded under the constitution of two - He controls the conduct of debate in the senate floor and usually has
parliamentary immunities of privileges a great influence on committee assignments of members of the senate
■ Minority floor leader – recognized as leader and official
spokesperson of the minority party
■ Privilege from arrest – applies while congress is in session in all
offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment
- This includes both civil and criminal offenses, provided it is not • Leadership in House of Representatives
punishable by imprisonment of six years or a member of congress can ■ Speaker of the house – he presides over the house and if the most
only invoke the immunity from arrest for relatively minor offenses important person in that body
- He is elected by majority votes of all the members of the house, but
■ Privilege of speech and debate – applies for any speech or debate in practice is chosen by the majority party
in congress or in any of its committee - He decides on all questions of order, refers bills introduced in the
- This privilege means that members of congress cannot be sued or house to proper standing committee, signs all acts, resolutions, orders
prosecuted for anything they say or write in connection with their issued by or upon order of the house, appoints members of joint
legislative duties committee and conference committee, and exercises administrative
functions over house personnel
- This guarantees the legislature complete freedom of expression
without fear of being made responsible in criminal or civil actions ■ Deputy speakers for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – assume the
before the courts or any other forum outside the congressional hall duties and powers of the speaker when he is absent
- It is indispensably necessary that he should enjoy the fullest liberty of ■ House majority floor leader – selected by the majority ruling party,
speech and that he should be protected as therefore acts as the spokesperson of the party
- Acts as the chairman of the house rules committee, as such, he is
responsible in all matters relevant to the rules of the house, calendar of
▲ Prohibitions
bills, floor deliberations, order of business
• Holding any other office or employment in the government, or any
■ House minority floor leader – stands as the spokesperson of the
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-
minority party
owned and controlled corporation or their subsidiaries, during his term
without forfeiting his seat in, or what is known as incompatible office - Works in consultation with the leading members of the minority
parties in the house
• Being appointed to any office, which may have been created, or the
emoluments thereof increased during the term for which he was - An ex-officio member of all the standing committees of the house
elected, or blown as the forbidden office
• Personally appearing as counsel before any court of justice or before 2. Congressional committee
the electoral tribunal, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies • Legislative committee – the most remarkable organizational
• Being financially interested, directly or indirectly in any contact with, structure of the congress
or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the government, or - Perform actual work of legislation in both house of congress
any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any
government owned and controlled corporation, or its subsidiary during
their term of office • Three Types Of Committees In Congress
• Intervening in any matter before any office off the government for ■ Standing committees – permanently established legislative
their pecuniary benefit or where they may be called upon to act on committee that review proposed legislation
account of their office - They are the only ones who proposed legislation by reporting at bill
out to the full house or senate
▲ Organization of the Congress
1. Officers of the Congress ■ Select committees – are created for a specific purpose and usually
for a limited period only such as conducting an investigation or
- The two houses of the congress are formally organized with the
addressing matters of great national concern
selection of its set of officers
- The senate shall elect its president and the House of Representatives
its speaker and such other officers as it may deemed necessary ■ Joint committees – those created by both houses of congress with
members coming from both
- The election of officers in both houses of the congress is primarily
determined to partisan consideration - An example is the bicameral conference committee, which irons out
differences in the versions of bills passed by the senate and the house
- When a party wins a majority of seats in either the senate or House of
Representatives, be controlled the leadership in that chamber - Created to address special concerns
3. Session have an active representative in the legislative department and at the
- The house of representatives holds it session in Batasang Pambansa same time is not empowered to select a new member
Complex while the senate in GSIS Complex - Suspension can only be imposed with the concurrence of two-thirds
• Two Kinds Of Session In Congress of all its members
■ Regular session – session convened once every year starting on the
4th Monday of July, unless a different date is fixed by law ■ Expulsion
- It may continue for such number of days or last as long as congress - The grounds for expulsion of a member are not provided in the
wishes until 30 days before the opening of its next regular session, constitution
exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays - Any cause, however, which either house may deem sufficient,
constitutes a good ground for expulsion
■ Special session – session called by the president while the congress - It can only be imposed with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the
is in recess, generally to consider a legislation he may designate in his members of the congress
call
▲ Agencies in the Congress
4. Quorum • Electoral tribunal – created by the constitution as special tribunal to
• Quorum – number of members of the body which, when legally be the sole judge of all contests relating to election, returns and
assembled in their proper places, will enable the body to transact its qualifications of the members of the legislative houses, and, as such,
proper business, or in other words, that number that makes a lawful are independent of congress
body and gives it power to pass a law - Created to function as a nonpartisan although two thirds of its
- A majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business members are politicians
- In case of a smaller number, it may adjourn from day to day and may - The purpose of the constitution creating the electoral tribunals was to
compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under provide an independent arid impartial tribunal for the determination of
such penalties, as such house may provide contests two legislative office, devoid of partisan considerations, and
- But the congress cannot compel the attendance of absent members to to transfer to the tribunal all the powers previously exercised by the
attend sessions if the reason for the absence is a legitimate one legislature in matters pertaining to contested elections of its members
- Shall be constituted within 30 days after the senate and the House of
Representatives shall have been organized with the election of the
5. Rules of procedure
president and speaker
• Rules of procedure – are rules made by any legislative body as to
the mode and manner of conducting the business of the body
■ Composition of the electoral tribunal
- Under the constitution, both houses of congress may determine its
rules of procedure. They must not however, be contrary to any ◊ House of Representatives electoral tribunal
constitutional provision, nor violate fundamental rights - Composed of three justices of Supreme Court decided by the chief
- The purpose of this is to have order in the conduct of the business of justice and six members of the senate chosen on the basis of
the congress especially on its principal task of law-making proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or
organizations registered under the party-list system there in
- Include the procedure in the readings of the bill, the conduct of
debate, session, manner of voting among others ◊ Senate electoral tribunal
- Composed of three justices decided by the chief justice and six
members of the House of Representatives chosen on the basis of
6. Journal and Records of Proceeding
proportional representation
• Journal – a record of what is done and passed in a legislative
assembly
• Commission on appointments – created by the constitution as an
- It is a day-to-day record of the proceedings of congress
independent commission although its members are confined to
members of congress, to function as a check on the appointing power
• Twofold purpose of journal of the president
■ Ensure publicity to the proceedings - Shall be constituted within 30 days after the senate and the House of
■ Provide proof of what actually transpired in congress Representatives shall have been organized with the election of the
president and the speaker
B. Parts of a Bill
• Implied powers – refer to such powers as are necessarily implied
• Title – indicates the subject matter of a bill
from the given powers
• Preamble – an introductory statement in the bill stating the rationale
- Includes the power to punish witness for contempt in the conduct of
or reasons for the enactment, or the intention of the lawmaker in
legislative investigation and oversight, to elect such the formal
presenting the measure
leadership of both houses, to determine the rules of its proceedings
• Enacting clause – the part which identifies the authority that
promulgated the bill
• Inherent powers – those that are neither granted nor implied
- The enactment clause used by the congress today is be it enacted by
therefrom, but rather they refer to those that grow out from the very
the senate and house of representatives in congress assembled
existence of congress
• Body of the statute – part containing the subject of the law, hence,
- Sometimes referred to as incidental powers
this is considered as the most important part
- Includes the three fundamental powers of the state
- Usually divided into titles, chapters, articles, sections, and
subsections
▲ General Legislative Powers • Effectivity clause – part of the law which provides the date when the
• General legislative powers of the congress – refers to its law bill shall take effect
making powers specifically, this refer to the authority of the congress
to enact and the right to amend and repeal them
C. Procedure In The Approval Of A Bill
- These is considered the most important congressional function
- The constitution provides that before a bill passed by either house
becomes a law, it shall pass three readings on separate days with the
• Statutes or republic act – laws passed by the congress exception of those which the president will certified as necessary to
meet public calamity
1. Limitations - On the first reading, only the number and title of the bill is read and
the speaker refers it to the proper committee for consideration
A. Substantive limitations – refer to the content or subject matter of
the law passed by the congress - The committee may decide to kill the bill by taking no action on it or
it may consider the bill and conduct thorough study by conducting
public hearings on the proposed measure
• Express limitations – limitations that are expressly provided under
- The committee will later submit a report recommending the approval
the constitution like the provision in the bill of rights on non-passage
or disapproval of the bill
of laws abridging the freedom of speech
3. Second reading
• Implied limitation – those that can be implied from the nature and
the character of a legislative power under our system of government - Once the committee approves the bill, it will be reported to the rules
such as the passage of irrepealable laws and the non-delegation of committee entered into the house calendar for 2nd reading by the full
legislative power house
- On the second reading, the entire bill is read before the chamber and
it is at this stage that the bill is debated and amended
■ Delegation Of Legislative Powers Permissible In Five Instances
- The rules committee place an important role at this stage, it set the
◊ Delegation of emergency powers to the president
time limit for floor debate, provide for the manner on how the bill will
◊ Delegation of tariff powers to the president be amended, and when the bill will be voted on
◊ Delegation of administrative body - After the bill has been approved, it is printed in its final form and
◊ Delegation to local government unit copies distributed to members at least three days before the third and
◊ Delegation directly to the people last reading
ARTICLE VII (EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT) - The returns of every election for President, duly certified by the
board of canvasses of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the
▲ Presidency and Executive Power Congress, directed to the President of the Senate
- The President of the Philippines and no other is the executive of the - Upon the receipt of the certificates of canvass, Senate President shall,
government of the Philippines not later than 30 days after the election, open all certificates in the
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives and joint public
- The whole executive power is vested only to one person, the session
President of the Philippines
- After the certificate of canvass have been opened, the counting in the
- The President is the most powerful officer of our government canvassing of the votes for the President shall not immediately be
• Executive Power – the power to enforce and execute the laws made
faithfully - First, there should be a determination of the authenticity and due
- The laws required to be administered by the President includes the execution of the certificates of canvass
constitution and all statutes lawfully enacted by the Congress - Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due execution
thereof in the manner provided by law, canvasses the votes in the
canvassing of votes, and the person receiving the highest number of
▲ Roles of the President votes shall be proved elected President
• Chief of state – the President stands as the head of our government - In case two or more candidates have equal and highest number of
and as such he represents the nation votes, which can rarely happen considering that the President is elected
at large by or qualified voters, one of them shall be chosen by a vote of
• Chief executive – the President is the head of the executive the majority of all the members of Congress, voting separately
department, the largest bureaucracy of the government
- In the performance of this function, Congress is required by the
• Chief diplomat – the President has the authority to receive constitution to promulgate its rules for the fungus of the certificates
ambassadors and the power to initiate diplomatic relations with other
nations, as well as to appoint diplomatic representatives of the country
abroad
• Official residence
• Qualifications, Election, and Term of Office
- He is the only official of the government provided in area sentence
maintained by public funds - The Vice President has the same qualification and is elected in the
same manner as the President
■ Malacañang Palace – where the Spanish and American Governor-
Generals recorded is the official residence of the Philippines - The Vice President has a term of six years and commenced on the
same day as the President
- Often referred to as the seat of the Philippine President
- The Vice President is entitled to one immediate re-election
• Salary
▲ Rules on Presidential Succession
- The salary of the President shall be determined by law and shall not
be decreased during his tenure 1. Vacancy in the office of the President at the beginning of his
term
- The constitution initially fixed the salary of the President to 300,000
and may be increased by law • If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice President-elect shall
act as a President until the President-elect shell have qualified
- No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the
expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase • If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice President-elect
was approved shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and
qualified
- This is to assure the exercise of Presidential duties and functions free • Where no President and Vice President shall have been chosen or
from any hindrance or distraction, considering that being a Chief shall have qualified, or where both shall have died or become
Executive of the government is a job that, aside from requiring all of permanently disabled, the President of the Senate or, in case of his
the office-holders time, also demands undivided attention inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall act as
President until a President or a Vice President shall have been chosen
and qualified
7. Prohibitions
• Receive any other emolument from the government or any other 2. Vacancy in the office of the President during his term
source
• When the office of the President becomes vacant as a result of death,
• Holding any other office of employment unless otherwise provided in permanent disability, removal from office, resignation, the Vice
this constitution President will become President to serve for the unexpired term
• Directly or indirectly, practicing any other profession, participating in • In the case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or
any business, or being financially interested in any contract with, or in resignation of the President as well as the Vice President, the Senate
any franchise, or special privilege granted by the government or any President or, the speaker of the house shall act as the seven until a
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government- President or a Vice President shall have in case of inability, the
owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries Speaker of the House shall act as President until a President or a Vice
President shall have been elected and qualified
• Strictly avoiding conflict of interest in the conduct of his office
3. Vacancy in the Office of the Vice President - The inability to discharge the function of the office by the President
can also be made manifest by members of the cabinet
• When the vacancy occurs at the beginning of his term
- Whenever a majority of all the members of the cabinet transmits the
■ As in cases where the Vice President shall not have been chosen, Senate President and speaker their written declaration that the
shall not have been qualified, died or shall become permanently President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the
incapacitated, it is the Senate President or, in case of his inability the Vice President shall assume the functions of the office
Speaker shall act until the Vice President shall be chosen and qualified
- When the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to the
speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no
in ability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office
• When the Vacancy Occurs During the Term
- Should a majority of all the members of the cabinet transmitted
■ The President shall nominate a Vice President to serve for the
within five days to the Senate President and to the speaker of the
unexpired term from among the members of the Senate or House of
House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is
Representatives
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, a deadlock
■ The nominee shall assume office on confirmation of a majority vote ensues here - the President contending that is capable and the majority
of all the members of both houses of the Congress, voting separately of the members of the cabinet saying is incapable
- The bill passed by the Congress calling for such election shall be
▲ Classifications of the Powers of the President
deemed certified and shall immediately become a law on its approval
in the third reading • Constitutional powers – powers enumerated under the constitution
- The special appropriations for the calling of the election shall be • Statutory powers – powers granted to him by law or statute
charged to any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the established by the Congress
requirements under Section 23, Article VI
• Express powers – powers expressly provided under the constitution
- The convening of the Congress cannot be suspended nor the special and statutes, hence, the expressed powers of the President includes to
election postponed constitutional and statutory powers
- No special election shall be called if the vacancy occurs within 18 • Inherent powers – powers of the President defined through practice
months before the date of the next Presidential election rather than through constitutional or statutory law
- This is intended in the interest of economy, because the election for - These are those powers exercised by the President from the loosely
President or Vice President is nationwide, the government will be worded statement in the constitution that the executive power shall be
spending too much in the election vested in the President of the Philippines and he shall ensure that the
laws are faithfully executed
- After which, the Vice President shall discharge the powers and duties
as Acting-President
2. Power of Appointment (Chief Executive) ■ Ad interim appointment – one whose appointment requires the
confirmation of the commission on appointments made by the
- The power to appoint is inherently and executive function while the President while Congress is in recess
power to confirm or reject appointments belongs to the legislative
department, the latter power having been conferred as a check on the - Such appointments shall be effective only until disapproved by the
former Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of
Congress
- This power to check may be exercised through the members of both
houses in the commission on appointments
- Issued to a person who meets all the requirements for the positions to - The President cannot remove those officials even appointed by him
which he is being appointed except the appropriate civil service when the Constitution provides for the manner of their removal from
eligibility; provided, that such temporary appointment shall not exceed office.
12 months, but the appointee may be replaced sooner if a qualified - The Chief Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the
civil service eligible becomes available Ombudsman, and the Chairman and Members of the Constitutional
- One who holds a temporary appointment has no fixed tenure of office Commission are removable only through the process of impeachment.
- His employment can be terminated at the pleasure of the appointing - The career service employees appointed by him can be removed only
power, there being no need to show that the termination is for a cause for a cause and in accordance with the administrative procedure
provided by law.
■ All other officers of the government whose appointments are not • Power of control – the power granted to an officer to alter or modify
otherwise provided for by law or nullify or set aside what a subordinate officer had done in the
performance of his duties and to substitute the judgment of the former
■ Those whom the President may be authorized by law to appoint to that of the latter
■ Officers lower in rank, whose appointment the Congress may by law • Power of general supervision – the power to see to it that the
vest in the President alone inferior follows the law
- It will take effect once approved by the commission and continued as - In the event of emergency cases, the President is vested under the
such until the end of its terms Constitution military powers to suppress such cases.
• Commander-in-Chief - It is invoked as an extreme measure, and rests upon the basic
principle that every state has the power of self-preservation, a power
- The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the inherent in all states, because neither the state nor society would exist
Philippines, thus, he is vested with the power to call such forces to without it
prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion.
- The requirements for the declaration of martial law are subject to the
- As Commander-in-Chief, he is authorized to direct the movements of same grounds, duration, and conditions as that of a suspension of the
the naval and military forces placed by law at his command, and to privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
employ them in the manner he may deem most effectual
- A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the
Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or the
legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on
• Power to Suspend the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able
■ Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus – a writ directed to the to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.
person detaining another, commanding him to produce the body of the
prisoner at a designated time and place, with the day and cause of his
caption and detention, to do, submit to, and receive whatever the court 7. Pardoning Power/Power of Executive Clemency (Chief
or the judge awarding the writ shall consider in that behalf. Executive)
- This power is purely executive acts, which are not subject to judicial
■ Duration
scrutiny.
- The President may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
for a period not exceeding 60 days, after which its shall be lifted.
• Scope of the Pardoning Power
- Congress is empowered to extend the duration within 48 hours after
the suspension, the President shall report in person or in writing, and ■ Pardon – an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with
the Congress by a majority vote of its members voting jointly may the execution of the laws, which exempts an individual on whom it is
revoked the suspension and may also extend upon the' initiative of the bestowed from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has
President. committed
- Martial law is founded upon the principle that the state has a right to ■ Absolute Pardon – granted without any conditions whatsoever
protect itself against those who would destroy it and has therefore been
likened to the right of the individual to self-defense - An absolute pardon not only blots out the crime committed, but
removes all disabilities resulting from the conviction
■ Conditional Pardon – granted by the President subject to such ◊ The Supreme Court may declare treaties concluded by the President
conditions or qualifications, as he may deem necessary or see fit. when these treaties conflict with certain provisions of the Constitution.
- The power to conduct the country's external affairs, includes the send - The President has the authority to contract or guarantee loan in the
and receive diplomatic representatives, the power to recognize foreign name of the Republic of the Philippines.
government and the power to enter into treaty and international
agreement - The President is in a best position to exercise this power because he
is responsible in the implementation of the programs of our
government, aside from the fact, that his office is equipped with the
needed information to determine the exigency of borrowing money.
• Power to Send and Receive Diplomats
- These loans may be used to augment the budget of the government as
- It is the President who appoints, sends, and instructs diplomatic well as to finance important development projects.
agents and consuls
- It is required that before the President can guarantee such foreign
- These agents represent the country abroad and are essential in loan in the name of the Government, it must first receive prior
carrying and maintaining our diplomatic relations with other counties concurrence of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank.
- The assignment to and recall from posts of ambassadors are - This limitation is provided because the Monetary Board is in the best
prerogatives of the President, for him to exercise as the exigencies of position to determine whether an application for foreign loan initiated
the foreign service and the interests of the nation may from time to by the President is within the paying capacity of our country or not
time dictate
- Congress can also provide other limitations on the President's power
- The President also exercises authority over the reception of to contract or guarantee loan through legislative enactments.
diplomatic agents and consuls.
- The Constitution requires the Monetary Board to submit, within 30
- In modern times, the simple act of receiving a diplomat has been days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, a complete
equivalent to accrediting the diplomat and officially recognizing his or report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted or
her, government guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled
corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign
- Corollary to this power, the President is also granted the right to
debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law
refuse to admit agents whom it may consider unacceptable.
• Fiscal autonomy – the automatic release of funds once approved and ■ At least 40 years of age
appropriated by the Legislature.
■ A judge of lower court or engages in the practice of law in the
- Appropriations for the judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature
below the amount appropriated for the previous year and, after Philippines for 15 years or more.
approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.
- They are appointed by the President from a list of at least 3 nominees ◊ Member of the Philippine Bar
prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council and are not subject to
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
■ Statutory qualifications
■ All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or - The salary of the Chief Justice and of the Associate Justice of the
executive agreements. Supreme Court, and of the judges of the lower courts shall be fixed by
law.
■ Those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of
presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, - During their continuance in office, their salary shall not be decreased.
and other regulations.
• Constitutional qualifications – refers to those qualifications • Judicial and Bar Council – is a significant innovation introduced by
prescribed under the Constitution the 1987 Constitution, the primary purpose of which is to recommend
appointees to the judiciary
- For every vacancy, the Council will nominate at least 3 candidates, - The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate
hence, when the President appoints a justice or judge, his choice w be courts
limited only to those recommended by the Council
- No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein
- The Council may also perform such other functions and duties as the clearly and distinctly the facts and law on which it is based
Supreme Court may assign to it.
- A judge cannot just pronounce during the resolution of the case that
the one party won over the other
■ Composition of the Judicial and Bar Council - There is no requirements as to the number of pages a decision must
consist of, but decision shall be reasonable instead of infinite length
◊ Ex-officio
- No petition for review or motion for reconsideration of a decision of
The Supreme Court Chief Justice shall be its ex-officio Chairman the court shall be refused due course or denied without stating the legal
basis thereof
The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex-officio of
the Council
- The members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall - Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, a certification to
take office during good behavior until they reach the age of 70 years or this effect signed by the Chief Justice or the presiding judge shall
become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office forthwith be issued and a copy thereof attached to the record of the
case or matter, and served upon the parties.
- The Constitution does not provide a precise definition of what
constitutes good behavior. It is for the Supreme Court to determine - The certification shall state why a decision or resolution has not been
since it has the power to discipline justices of lower collegiate courts rendered or issued within said period
and judges of the lower courts.
- Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the Court,
- The Supreme Court en banc may order their dismissal by a majority without prejudice to such responsibility as may have been incurred in
of the Members, who actually took part in the deliberations on the consequence thereof, shall decide or resolve the case or matter
issues in the ease and voted thereon. submitted thereto for determination, without further delay.
- It has been said that the misconduct of a judge that will warrant
disciplinary action by the Supreme Court must have direct relation to
▲ Judicial Review
and be connected with the performance of his official duties, not his
character as a private individual Judicial Review – the power of the Supreme Court to declare act of
the Executive and Legislative departments of government
unconstitutional in the light of its conformity with the Constitution.
7. Prohibitions
- The Constitution does not provide expressly for this authority
- The members of the Supreme Court and of other courts established exercised by the Court
shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or
- It had its beginning in the landmark decision written by Chief Justice
administrative functions.
John Marshall of the US Supreme Court.
◊ All cases involving the legality of any tax imposed, assessment, toll,
■ Certiorari or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
- When any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial a quasi- ◊ All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.
judicial sanctions has acted without or in excess of its or his
jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or ◊ All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua
excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, nor any plain, speedy and or higher.
adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved
◊ All cases in which only error or question of law is involved
thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging facts
with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered annulling or
modifying the proceedings of such tribunal, board or officer, and
granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require. 3. Temporarily Assign Judges of Lower Courts
- When any tribunal, corporation, board or personnel unlawfully - These rules govern the manner by which cases are presented in courts
neglects the performance of an act which the law specifically enjoins for decision and prescribe the necessary papers which describe claims
as a duty resulting from an office, trust or station or unlawfully or defenses of the parties to a case
excludes another from the use and enjoyment of a right or office to
which such other is entitled, and there is no other plain, speedy and - The Constitution also is granted the power to provide rules
adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, the person aggrieved concerning admission to the practice of law, the integrated bar and
thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the legal assistance to the underprivileged.
facts with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered
- the Constitution provides that such roles shall provide a simplified
commanding the respondent, immediately or at some time to be
and inexpensive procedure for the speed disposition of cases, shall be
specified by the court, to do the act required to be done to protect the
uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish,
rights of the petitioner, and to pay the damages sustained by the
increase, or modify substantive rights
petitioner by reason of the wrongful acts of the respondent.
- Special courts and quasi-judicial bodies are likewise authorized to
promulgate their rules, but such rifles shall remain effective unless
■ Quo Warranto disapproved by the Supreme Court.
■ Habeas Corpus
- The Supreme Court exercises administrative supervision over all - The constitution provides that the CSC shall establish a career
courts as well as its personnel. service, adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity,
responsiveness, and courtesy in the civil service, strengthen the merit
and award system, integrate all human resource development programs
for all levels and ranks, and to institutionalize a management climate
ARTICLE IX (CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS) conducive to public accountability
- It aims to promote professionalism in public service system through
• Constitutional commissions – are those independent bodies created implementation of laws and regulations governing the utilization,
and established by the constitution to perform specific functions as selection, training, promotion, advancement, and discipline of all civil
prescribed therein for the harmonious administration of the servants
government - It also employs the merit system in the government services and sets
- Those commissions are co-equal bodies, hence, they cannot assert standards in relation with the effective public service for the general
supremacy over the others welfare
- They are created by the constitution to assure the proper
administration of democracy in the country 1. Composition
- The Civil Service Commission is composed of 1 Chairman and 2
▲ Three Constitutional Commissions Commissioner
• Civil Service Commission - The officials will serve their office with the term of 7 years and are
• Commission on Election not eligible for reappointment and in appointment in acting capacity
• Commission on Audit - The officials of the CSC are appointed by the President with the
confirmation of the Commission on Appointment
2. Composition