SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Grade 12

Philippine Politics and Governance

DIVISION ARALING PANLIPUNAN TOOLS

(DAPAT)
First Quarter - Lessons 9 & 10

EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE

BRANCHES: ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive branch
of the government.
Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance
Differentiate the roles
Analyze the roles and responsibilities
and powers of the
of the executive
Philippine Senate and the
branch of the government. House of Representatives
 INTRODUCTION

What comes into your mind when you hear the word “President”? What do
you think a President does?
The President is the head of the executive branch of the government. He
occupies the highest post and is among the elected officials of the country. He is the
Head of the Government and the representation of all executive powers enshrined in
the 1987 Philippine Constitution. He is the Head of the State and symbolizes the
unity of the people and the sovereignty of the nation. He is the person in charge in
managing and implementing the laws of the country.
On the other hand, the legislative branch plays a vital role in making laws that
are implemented in the country. The legislative branch of the government is the
Congress of the Philippines consists of the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
This module introduces you to the roles and powers of the executive and the
roles and responsibilities of the legislative branches of the government.

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 1
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of
 THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE

REMEMBER

THE EXECUTIVE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Executive Department comprises the branch of the Philippine government
tasked with the power of developing national policies and protecting national
interests through just execution and enforcement of laws. These tasks are all
granted to the President of the Philippines in his exercise of the executive power
stipulated in Section 1, Article VII of 1987 Philippine Constitution.

On the same article, he must be elected by a direct vote of the people for a
term of six years, beginning at noon on 30th June after the day of the election and
will end six years after at noon on the same date. The same provision forbids the
President for any reelection allowing him to serve for only one term. If a person has
become President for more than four years, he is no longer eligible for election any
time to the corresponding office.
Qualifications for presidency are as follows:
1. a natural-born citizen; 4. able to read and write; and
2. a registered voter of the Philippines; 5. a resident of the Philippines for at
3. at least 40 years of age on the day of least ten years before the day of the
the election; election.

ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

The 1987 Philippine Constitution vests the President of the Philippines with
executive power; thus, he is the Executive of the Government of the Philippines. He
is the only person tasked by the constitution to perform the highest authority in the
country. In the performance of such, he functions a dual role as the head of the state
and the head of the government.
Head of the State. He is the chief representative of the state and the people
of the state. He is the symbol of the unity of the people and the sovereignty of the
state.
Head of the Government. He is the chief executive of the state. He executes
the laws and formulates policies for the state’s welfare.
The President of the Philippines is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, which follows the constitutionally mandated principle of the
supremacy of civilian authority over the military. In addition, he is the Chief Diplomat
of the country, that is also constitutionally duty-bound to implement an independent
foreign policy free of interference from other states.

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 2
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of
 POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
As stated in Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, below are the
powers of the President:
1. Executive Power. Power to ensure that the laws be faithfully executed. This
power of the President means the power to administer and enforce the laws.
2. Ordinance Power. Power to promulgate issuances inherent to his rule-making
power as Chief Executive. The purpose of these issuances is to streamline the
policies and programs of his administration.
3. Control Power. Power of control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and
offices. It is the power of the President to restructure, reconfigure, and appoint their
respective officers. Moreover, he has the authority to modify, nullify, or set aside
what a subordinate officer had done in the performance of his functions. It also
includes the power to supervise, investigate, suspend, or remove officers belonging
to the executive department of the government.
4. Power of Removal. Power to remove officials appointed by him in the executive
department of the government on the issue of trust and confidence. Not covered by
this power are the Members of the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman, and the
Chairmen and Members of the Constitutional Commissions. These officers may be
removed from office only, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation
of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or
betrayal of public trust (Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution).

5. Power to Appoint. Power to appoint officials as provided in the Constitution and

the laws. It is the power of the President to choose an individual who is to exercise
the roles and functions of a given office.
6. Military Powers. Powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief of all armed
forces of the Philippines. He has the power to call out the armed forces to prevent or
suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. He has control of the military
organization and its personnel adhering to the constitutional principle that civilian
authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. In addition, he can suspend the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part of it under
martial law in case of invasion or rebellion or as required for public safety.
7. Pardoning Power. Power to grant executive clemency, which includes reprieve,
commutation, absolute pardon, and conditional pardon. He has also the power to
remit fines and forfeitures. All of these are applicable after conviction by final
judgment, but not in cases of impeachment. Moreover, he has the power to grant
amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.
8. Borrowing Power. Power to contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the
Republic of the Philippines. But prior to this concurrence of the Monetary Board must
be secured and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
9. Diplomatic Power. Power to deal with the governments of foreign states and
direct the Philippines’ foreign policy. The President maintains diplomatic relations
with other states and has the power to extend or withhold the recognition of the
legitimacy of foreign governments. He appoints and sends ambassadors and
consuls to represent the country abroad. He has the authority to receive diplomatic
missions from other states and had the right to refuse to admit ambassadors whom
he may consider unacceptable.
10. Budgetary Power. Power to issue a budget of expenditures and sources of
financing. It includes receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures.

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 3
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of
 11. Informing Power. Duty to inform the Congress and the people of the status of
the country. He delivers the State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) every fourth
Monday of July at the opening of the regular session of Congress. It is also his time
to recommend to Congress important national policies that need legislative action.
12. General Supervision Over Local Governments. Power of general supervision
over local governments.
13. Other Powers of the President.
a. Power to Call Special Session of Congress. President’s prerogative to call
a special session of Congress at any time.
b. Emergency Powers. Congress’ authorization to the President in times of
war or national emergency to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry
out a declared national policy.
c. Power to Approve Bills. President’s authority to approve a bill pass by the
Congress.
d. Power to Veto. President’s privilege to reject a bill passed by Congress or
an item or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill.
e. Tariff Powers. Congress’ authorization to the President to fix tariff rates,
import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or
imposts.

THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

In the 1987 Constitution, the legislative power is vested in the Congress of the
Philippines consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
The Senate is composed of twenty-four Senators elected at large by the
qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law. The House of
Representatives is composed of not more than 250 (unless otherwise fixed by law),
20 percent of whom must be Party-list representatives.
The qualifications to become a senator and a representative, as stipulated in
the constitution, are:
Members of the Senate Members of the House of the Representatives
1. a natural-born citizen of the 1. a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
Philippines;
2. at least thirty-five years old; 2. at least twenty-five years old;
3. is able to read and write 3. is able to read and write
4. a registered voter; and 4. a registered voter; and
5. a resident of the Philippines for 5. except the party-list representatives, a
not less than two years before resident for at least one year in the district
election day. where s/he shall be elected.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONGRESS
Essentially, the Members of Congress (Senators and Representatives) are
the primary makers of laws.
There are several types of measures Congress can create. It includes bills,
joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions.
Legislators grouped in committees conduct hearings and consultation
meetings to improve or pass a proposed bill. Those outside the group can also
discuss any proposed bill in plenary before it is voted upon.
These debates during plenary are very important because they ideally give a

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 4
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of
 chance for others to scrutinize the proposed bill before it is passed. Once approved,
a law can affect not just the government’s function but the life of every Filipino. It is
also vital that it adheres to the Constitution.
Every bill or resolution that has to go through both houses needs the consent
of both chambers before being passed for the president's signature. Once a bill is
defeated in the Senate (or House), it is lost. Once a bill is approved by the Senate
(or House) on third reading, the bill is passed to the House of Representatives (or
Senate), unless an identical bill has also been passed by the House of
Representatives (or Senate). When a counterpart bill is different from the one
passed by the Senate (or House), either a bicameral conference committee is
created consisting of members from both chambers of Congress to reconcile the
differences, or either chamber may instead approve the other chamber's version.
A bill then becomes law when it is signed by the president.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Aside from lawmaking, Congress is also given several powers and
responsibilities in certain situations.
Congress' role in exacting accountability is crucial as legislators play a part in
checking on possible excesses by the executive and judicial branches of
government.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides many instances when Congress
can invoke this power:

1. Congress has the power to remove from office impeachable government

officials, including the President, Vice President, members of the Supreme Court,
members of constitutional commissions, and the Ombudsman. The House of
Representatives can tackle impeachment complaints and submit the resolution
setting the Articles of Impeachment. The Senate, meanwhile, decides on cases of
impeachment in a full-blown trial.
2. Congress has the “sole power to declare the existence of a state of
war,” according to Section 23 Article VI of the Constitution. A vote of two-thirds of
both Houses, voting separately, is needed.
3. Congress can revoke the President’s proclamation of martial law by a vote of
at least a majority of all members of the Senate and the House. If requested,
Congress can also extend the period of martial law beyond the mandated 60 days.
4. Congress may authorize the President to exercise powers to carry out a
declared national policy “for a limited period and subject to restrictions" in times of
war or any other national emergency,
5. Congressional committees can conduct hearings "in aid of legislation” on
various issues that affect the nation and release a report based on findings. For
example, the Senate committee in August 2018 conducted a hearing on the TRAIN
law's impact on inflation amid rising prices of commodities.
6. Congress is also involved in the national budget process. It can decide
whether or not to add or reduce a government agency’s budget, effectively
overseeing budget appropriations and being on guard against suspected corruption.

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 5
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of
 7. Congress, through the Commission on Appointments, can approve or
reject some key appointments made by the president to government agencies.
8. Congress needs to concur with any amnesty granted by the
president, according to Section 19, Article VII of the Constitution. A vote of majority
of all members is needed.
9. Congress is heavily involved in starting charter change. It can either convene
into a Constituent Assembly (through a vote of three-fourths of all members) and
propose both amendments and revisions, or call for an election of members of a
Constitutional Convention (vote of two-thirds of its members).
ROLES OF THE SENATE
1. No treaty or international agreement will become valid and effective unless
concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
2. The Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.
ROLES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1. All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public
debt, bills of local application, and private bills originate exclusively in the House of
Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.
2. The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of
impeachment by at least one-third of all the Members of the House.

Grade 12- Philippine Politics and Governance

Analyze the roles and powers of the executive 6
branch of the government.
Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the
Philippine Senate and the House of