Overview
This lecture explains the three branches of the Philippine government—the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial—and describes their roles, powers, and how they check and balance each other.
Executive Branch
- The President leads the executive branch and is responsible for enforcing laws and running the country.
- The President is elected by the public for a single six-year term.
- The executive branch also includes the Vice President and cabinet secretaries in charge of various government departments.
- This branch manages national policies and government responses, such as public health crises.
Legislative Branch
- The legislative branch creates and proposes laws through a bicameral system: the Senate (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house).
- The Senate has 24 senators who serve six-year terms.
- The House of Representatives consists of congressmen representing different districts.
- Both houses debate, revise, and vote on bills; approved bills go to the President for signing into law.
- The President has veto power to reject bills, but Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
- Congress has "power of the purse," controlling public fund appropriations, while the President can only propose the budget.
Judicial Branch
- The judicial branch interprets laws and ensures they align with the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court is the highest court, consisting of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices, all appointed by the President.
- Justices serve until retirement, and the branch safeguards citizens' rights by reviewing cases and ruling based on the law.
- Courts allow citizens to challenge unfair or unconstitutional laws.
Checks and Balances
- Each branch has powers to limit the others, preventing any one branch from dominating.
- The system of checks and balances supports democracy and protects citizen rights.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Executive Branch — Implements and enforces laws; led by the President.
- Legislative Branch — Creates laws; composed of the Senate and House of Representatives.
- Judicial Branch — Interprets laws and ensures constitutionality; led by the Supreme Court.
- Veto Power — Authority of the President to reject proposed laws from Congress.
- Power of the Purse — Congress’s authority to approve and allocate government funds.
- Checks and Balances — System ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the structure and functions of each government branch.
- Understand how checks and balances work in the Philippine government.