ARTICLE VI: Legislative Department Summary: Article VI provides for the establishment of a bicameral legislature, its composition, and

terms of office, powers and functions as the legislative branch of the government. Under this Article, the people can also exercise legislative powers through a system of initiative and referendum. The members of the Senate, or the Upper house, are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines and are to serve for six years with a maximum of two terms. While there are two kinds of members of the House of Representatives or the Lower House of Congress, namely, the representatives elected by district and those elected through the party-list system. The term of office of the members of the lower house is shorter than the Senate. Each member of the House of Representatives is elected for a term of three years with a maximum of three terms. The powers of Congress include the passage of bills, levy taxes, approve appropriation, declare a state of war, and confirm presidential appointments through the Commission of Appointments.

ARTICLE VII: Executive Department Summary: Article VII stipulates the qualifications, duties and functions of the President and Vice-President. It expressly states that the executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines. The President and the Vice-President are elected by direct vote of the qualified voters of the Philippines for a six-year term. While the President is not qualified for re-election, the vice-president can serve two (2) consecutive terms. This article stipulates that the President is the head of state, the chief executive of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, certain protections

are declared against abuses of executive power such as the prohibition against practice of any other profession, prohibition against appointment of spouse and relatives to certain positions in government and limitation on the declaration of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to a period not exceeding 60 days. ARTICLE VIII: Judicial Department Summary: Article VIII provides for the composition, powers and functions of the judiciary. The judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. Composed of the Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices, the Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and its personnel. Among the notable powers of the Supreme Court are its exercise of original jurisdiction on cases involving ambassadors, public ministers and consuls; review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm judgments or decisions of lower courts; rule on the constitutionality of laws and treaties; and appoint officials and employees of the judiciary. Furthermore, the members of the Supreme Court and the judges of lower courts are appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and must be at least forty years of age. They will hold office hold office during good behavior until the age of 70 years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. The JBC, which is created in this article, is under the supervision of the Supreme Court and has the principal function of nominating appointments to the judiciary ARTICLE IX: Constitutional Commissions Summary: Article IX stipulates the creation of three independent constitutional commissions such as, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Commission on Audit

(COA). Each commission enjoys fiscal autonomy, appoints their officials and employees in accordance with law, and is composed of commissioners appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Civil Service Commission is the central personnel agency of the government and establishes a career service based on merit and fitness. The Commission on Elections, on the other hand, enforces and administers all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall. Lastly, the Commission on Audit examines, audits, and settles all accounts pertaining to the funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to the government.