毓 僑 中 學

PHILIPPINE YUH CHIAU SCHOOL

Del Pilar, Cabatuan, Isabela
Transforming Lives through Education with Quality Assurance
GRADE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SY 2020-2021

Name: ___________________________________________Grade Level/Section: _________________

HANDOUT 4: CIVICS AND CULTURE 4

MAIN TOPIC: Separation of Powers in the Government

Under the 1987 Constitution, the three branches of the Philippine national government are:

 Executive – It is composed of the president, vice-president, and the Cabinet.

 Legislative – It is divided into the Senate and House of Representatives.
 Judiciary – It is composed of the Supreme Court and the lower courts.

Powers of the three branches

The doctrine of separation of powers divides the government into three branches: executive, legislative, and
judiciary.

 The main function of legislature is to pass and make laws.

 The judicial branch interprets laws.
 The executive branch carries out, enforces or implements laws.

Separation of Powers

The powers and functions of each branch are separate and carried out by their respective people. No
single branch is able to exercise complete authority, each being interdependent on the other. Power, thus
divided, could prevent absolutism, dictatorship, or corruption arising from unchecked powers.

Check and Balance

The doctrine of separation of powers calls for the system of check and balance. With check and balance,
each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches. Thus, no branch can abuse its powers.
This way, not a single branch can be powerful. Because each branch of government has its own powers and
limitations, there will be no overlapping of powers and authority; thus preventing absolutism and dictatorship.
This will also result to balance of power.

Each branch can check the powers of the other branches, thus, each branch is now more careful,
efficient, and bound to produce effective results. In this way, check and balance is a deterrent to corruption and
motive each branch to become productive.

THIRD TERM HNDOUT 4 (Week 4: January 25-29) Page 1 of 1