The Philippine

Political System
 Political System basically delineates the structure of
government, its fundamental principles and norms and how it
carries out its policies, rules and procedures. Each state has
unique traits in its political system, depending on what the
constitution and the laws provide or what the state recognizes.
It varies according to the form of government that also
indicates how the government operates and its reflection of
society.
The Philippines has its own political system,
which derived from the various sources and
under the 1987 Philippine Constitution that
identifies its roles and functions in the general
public.
From the time when the Philippines declared itself as a sovereign state in 1898 the
nation has had four (4) major constitutions:
(1) The 1899 constitutions, which established the first republic in Asia;
(2) The 1935 constitutions, which served as the basic law during the period of self-
government while the Philippines was still under American rule and after it became
independent in 1946;
(3) The 1973 constitution, which allowed Ferdinand Marcos to continue to hold office
as president;
(4) The 1897 constitution, upon which the present government is based, which
essentially restored institutions and processes dismantled by Marcos during his
regime
 Political Institutions
 Are organizations which creates, enforce and apply laws. They often mediate conflict, make
(governmental) policy on the economy and social systems and otherwise provide representation
for the populous.
 “The Philippine is a democratic and republican state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them” (1987 Philippine Constitution Art 2 Sec 1)
 The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally
divided among its three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The government seeks to act
in the best interest of its citizen through this system of check and balance.
THE THREE BRANCHES
OF THE GOVERNMENT
Executive Branch
 Is composed of the President and the Vice President who are elected by direct popular
vote and serve a term of six years. The constitution grants the President authority to
appoint his cabinet. The departments from a large portion of the country’s bureaucracy.
 It carries out and enforces laws. It includes the President, Vice President, the Cabinet,
executive departments, independent agencies, boards, commission, ad committees.
 The President leads the county. He or she is the head of state, leader of the national
government, and Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines. The
President serves a six-year term and cannot be re-elected.
 The Vice President supports the President. If the President is unable to serve, the
Vice President becomes President. He or she also serves a six-year term.
 Cabinet members serve as advisors to the President. They include the Vice
President
Legislative Branch
 Is authorized to make laws, alter, and repeal them through the power vested in the
Philippine Congress. This institutions is divided into the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
 It enacts legislation, confirms or rejects Presidential appointments, and has the
authority to declare war. This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of
Representatives) and several agencies that provide support to the Congress.
 The senate is composed of 24 Senators who are elected at large by the qualified
voters of the Philippines.
 The house of Representatives is composed of about 250 members elected
from legislative districts in the provinces, cities, municipalities, and
representatives elected through a party-list system of registered national,
regional, and sectorial parties or organizations.
 The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty percent of the total
number of representatives including those under the party-list. For three
consecutive terms after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the
seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law,
by selection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous
cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be
provided by law, except the religious sector.
 Judicial Branch
 Holds the power to settle controversies involving rights that are legally
demandable and enforceable. This branch determines whether or not there
has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction on the part and instrumentality of the government. It is made up
of a Supreme Court and lower courts.
 Interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides
if laws violate the Constitution. The judicial power shall be vested in one
Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.
 Judicial power, includes the duty of the courts of justice to
settle actual controversies involving rights, which are legally
demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not
there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or
instrumentality of the Government. The judicial branch
interprets the meaning of laws to individual cases, and decides if
laws violate the Constitution.
Each branch of government can change acts of the
other branches as follows:
• The President can veto laws passed by the Congress

• Congress confirms or rejects the President’s appointments and can remove the President
from the office in exceptional circumstances
• The Justices of Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Senate
The Constitutions expressly grants the Supreme Court the power of Judicial Review as
the power to declare a treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential
decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance or regulation unconstitutional.
 The Military and Social Justice Order of the Philippines
As to the country’s military and social justice order, the 1987 Philippine
Constitution Article 2 declares the following principles and state policies:
Section 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts
the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land
and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and
amity with all nations.
Section 3. Civilian authority is, all the times, supreme over the military. The Armed
Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to
secure the sovereignty of the State and Integrity of the national territory.
Sections 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and
protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to
defend the State and, in the fulfilment thereof, all citizens may
be required, under conditions provided by law, to render
personal, military or civil service.
Section 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection
of life, liberty and property, and promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.
 State Policies
Section 7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states,
the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest,
and the right to self-determination.
Section 8. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts, and pursues a policy of
freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
Section 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that
will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the
people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an
improved quality of life for all.

Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of
national development.
Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and
guarantees full respect for human rights.
The International Affiliations of the Philippines
Foreign relations of the Philippines are administered
by the President of the Philippines and the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Philippine
international affairs are influenced by ties to its
Southeast Asian neighbours, China, the United
States, and Middle East.
The Philippines is a founding member of the United
Nations; an elected member of e Security Council
and participant in the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), International Labour
Organization (ILO), United Nationals Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and
World Health Organization (WHO). Likely most
nations, the Philippines is a signatory of Interpol.
The Philippines is a member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asian
Summit (EAS).

It was formerly a member of the now-defunct Latin

Union and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
(SEATO). Declaring itself as independent of any
major power block nations, the Philippines is a
member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Economically, the Philippines is a participant in the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asian Development Bank (ADP),
the Colombo Plan, Group of 24, G-20, G-77, the World Bank
(WB), Next Eleven and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - The food and
Agricultural Organization of the United Nations is a specialized
agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to
defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing
countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet
as equals to negotiate arguments and debate policy.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) – is United National
agency whose mandate is to advance social justice and
promote decent works by setting international labour
standards.
United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) – UNESCO seeks to build peace
through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences
and Culture.
World Health Organization (WHO) – is a specialized agency of
the United Nations that is concerned with the international
public health.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – is a
regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten
countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes
intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic,
political, security, military, education, and sociocultural
integration among its members and other countries in
Asia.
East Asia Summit (EAS) – is the region’s premier forum for
strategic dialogue. It is the only leader-led forum at which
all key partners meet to discuss the full range of political,
security end economic challenges facing the Indo –Pacific,
and has an important role to play in advancing closer
regional cooperation.
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) – was an
international organization for collective defense in Southeast
Asia created by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty,
or Manila Pact, signed In September 1954 in Manila,
Philippines.
The Non-Aligned Movement is a forum of 120 developing
world states that are not formally aligned with or against any
major power bloc. After the United Nations, it is the largest
grouping of states world-wide.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) – is an inter-
government development finance institution whose mission is
to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and
improve the quality of life of their people.
Colombo Plan – is a regional organisation that represents a
collective intergovernmental effort to strengthen economic and
social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific
region.
The G20 (or group of twenty) is an international forum for the
governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and
European Union. Founded in 1999 with aim to discuss policy
pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.
• Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs
and Development (G-24) – The purpose of the group is to coordinate the
position of developing countries on monetary and development issues.
• The Group of 77 (G-77) at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing
nations, designed to promote its members’ collective economic interest and
create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.
• World Bank (WB) – The World Bank Is an international financial institution that
provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects. It comprises
institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and
the International Development Association.
• World Trade Organization (WTO) – Is an intergovernmental organization that is
concerned with the regulation of international trade between nations.
What are political issues?
A political issue is one that has something to do with
government or politics.
This may include issues that related to party politics or a
political system or social, environmental or other issues as
determined by the voting public.
 Governance
What is Good Governance?
“Good Governance” includes 8 guiding principles that are used in
the processes of making and implementing decisions. The use of
Good Governance principals can decrease corruption and misuse
or resources, and ensue that the views of minorities and the
most vulnerable are included.
Good Governance practices can enable responsible and
responsive governments and organisations. They help leaders
make the right decisions with the most effective outcomes.
Actors in Governance

There are various actors in governance including

government ministers, departments, civil servants,
political parties, civil society, media, urban rich and
poor, rural rich and poor, religious groups,
traditional groups, international and regional
organisations.
Good governance can be exercised on the
following levels:
Family
Community
Government – local and national
Regional and International
 Eight Elements of Good Governance
Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory,
consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive,
effective, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law.
Good Governance is responsive to the present and future needs
of the organization, exercise prudence in policy-setting and the
decision-making, and that the best interest of all stakeholders
are taken into account.
1. Rule of Law
A fair, predictable and stable legal framework is essential
to that businesses and individuals may assess economic
opportunities and act on them without fear of arbitrary
interference or expropriation. This requires that the rules
be known in advance, that they be actually in force and
applied consistently and fairly, that conflicts be resolves by
an independent judicial system, and that procedures for
amending and repealing the rules exist and are publicly
known.
2. Transparency
Transparency means that Information should be made
available to the general public and there should be
clarity as to rules and regulations. Access to timely
information should be freely available and directly
accessible to those who will be affected by governance
policies and practices, as well as the outcomes resulting
therefrom, and that any decisions taken and their
enforcements are in compliance with established rules
and regulations.
 
3. Relevance and Responsiveness
Good governance requires that
organizations and their processes are
designed to serve the best interest of
all stakeholders within a reasonable
time from.
4. Consensus Oriented
Good governance requires consultation to understand
the different interests of stakeholders in order to reach a
broad consensus of what is in the best interest of the
entire stakeholder group and how this can be achieved in
a sustainable and prudent manner.
 
5. Equity and Inclusiveness
The organization that provides the opportunity
for its stakeholders to maintain, enhance, or
generally improve their well-being provides the
most compelling message regarding its reason
for existence and value to society.
6. Efficiency and Effectiveness
Good governance means that the processes
implemented by the organization to produce
favourable results meet the needs of its stakeholders,
while making the best use resources- human,
technological, financial, natural, and environmental – at
its disposal. It also means using the resources
efficiently producing high quality goods and providing
the best service while conserving the natural resources.
 
7. Social Responsibility and Accountability
Social Responsibility as a key tenet of governance is realizing
that one has duties and responsibility for the society and the
environment. Public officials should be answerable for
government behaviour and responsive to the entity from which
they derived authority. In general, an organization is
accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or
actions as well as the applicable rules of law.
8. Participation
Participation by both men and women, weather directly or
through legitimate representatives, is a key cornerstone of good
governance. Good governance requires that civil society has the
opportunity to participate during the formulation of development
strategies and that directly affected communities and groups
should be able to participate in the design and implementation of
programmes and projects. Even where projects, have a secondary
impact on particular localities or population groups, there should
be a consultation process that takes their views into account. This
aspect of governance is an essential element in securing
commitment and support for projects and enhancing the quality
of their implementation.
Various levels of Political issues taking the
example of Climate Change:
Global level – the discussion could focus on the degree to which the limite
ability to enforce legally binding action by the United Nations(UN) on its
member nations inhibits the world as a whole to make progress towards
combating climate change.
International level- the debate could center on the fact that many developing
countries have already experienced the impact of climate change, and delineate
how this affects their positions in international climate negotiations
Regional level- the political issue could be the challenges a regional
association of nations faces in formulating a common climate policy.
 National level- the same issue could be the impact of a particularly strong
typhoon on the central government’s decisions and policies on disaster
prevention.
 Local level- the said issue could be the ways in which a typhoon on a
particular island has changed people’s dependency on outside assistance
and the society’s resulting power dynamics.
 Community level- the abovementioned issue could be the mechanisms
and the degree to which migrant workers and emigrants are able to help
support their families and relatives in post-disaster community.
 

Defining an interesting political issue in the wider, real-world

situation in studying is often an early and key step for students to
make progress with their understanding of global politics.
This is particularly important in order to see the connections
between the key concepts and examples in the core units, to
determine an appropriate reflective focus for the engagement
activity.
 Type of political issues:
•National Security “Should the US assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?”
•Social issues “Do you support the legalization of same marriage?”
•Environmental issues “Should be the government increase environmental regulations to prevent
climate change”
•Economic issues “Should the current estate tax rate be decreased?”
•Domestic policy issues “Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?”
•Health care issues “Do you support the legalization Marijuana?”
•Education issues “Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and
universities?”
A. Which party do you most identify with?
Women’s Equality Independent
Socialist Green
Republican Democratic
Progressive Constitution
Peace and Order American
Libertarian Other stances
B. Which qualities are most important to you in a
candidate?
Electability Determination
Morality Commitment
Intelligence Communication
Integrity Honesty
Vision Transparency
Ability to Inspire Consistency
Leadership Effectiveness
Other stances
 TOP 10 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES THAT MAKE GOOD LEADERS
Everybody defines leadership differently but I really
like the way John C. Maxwell defines leadership,
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way,
and shows the way.” Irrespective of how you define a
leader, he or she can prove to be a difference maker
between success and failure. A good leader has
futuristic vision and knows how to turn his ideas into
real-world success stories.
Honesty and Integrity
-Leaders succeed when they stick to their values and core
beliefs and without ethics, this will not be possible

Confidence
-As a leader, you have to be oozing with confidence show some
swagger and assertiveness to gain the respect of your
subordinates.
 
Inspire Others
-To persuade others to follow will be possible if you inspire your
followers by setting a good example.
Commitment
-When your teammates see you getting your hands dirty, they
will also give their best shot. It will also help you to gain the
respect of your subordinates and infuse new energy in your
team members, which helps them to perform better.
 
Good Communicator
-Words have the power to motivate people and make them do
the unthinkable. If you use them effectively, you can also
achieve better results.
Decision-Making Capabilities
-A leader should think long and hard before taking a decision
but once the decision is taken, stand by it. Although, most
leaders take decisions on their own, but it is highly
recommended that you consult key stakeholders before
taking a decision.
 
Accountability
-Holding your subordinates accountable for their actions will
create a sense of responsibility among your subordinates and
they will go about the business more seriously.
 
Creativity and Innovation
-In order to get ahead in today’s fast-paced world, a leader must be creative and
innovative at the same time. Think out of the box to come up with unique ideas.
 
Delegation and Empowerment
-Delegates tasks to your subordinates and see how they perform. Provide them
with all the resources and support they need to achieve the objective and give
them a chance to bear the responsibility.
 
Creativity and Innovation
-Understanding the problems of your followers and feeling their pain is the first to
become an effective leader. Even that is not enough until you work hard and
provide your needs.
SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY
Declared the policy of the state to protect and
promote the right to citizens to equality basic
education
Making

Such education accessible to all by providing all

Filipino children a free and compulsory education

in

Elementary level and free education in the high

school level

include

for basic education to provide them with they need

to become

caring
GOVERNANCE OF BASIC EDUCATION

Begin at all national level Field officers

At the
Learning centers Referred as

Translated

Programs, projects, services

SECTION 3. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
To provide the framework for the
governance of basic education

Set the general directions for educational policies and

standards and establish authority, accountability and
responsibility for achieving higher learning outcomes;

To define the roles and responsibilities

of, and provide resources to the field
offices

To define the roles and responsibilities of, and provide

resources to the field offices
SECTION 3. PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES
To make schools and learning centers the most important
vehicle for:
• Teaching and learning of national values
• Developing in the Filipino learners love of country and
pride in its rich heritage

To ensure that schools and learning centers receive the

kind of focused attention they deserve and that
educational programs, projects and services take into
account the interests of all members of the community.

To enable the schools and learning to reflect the values of

the community.
Section 3. Purposes and Objectives

To encourage local initiatives for the improvement of

schools and learning centers

To provide the means by which these improvements

may be achieved and sustained.

To establish schools and learnings centers as facilities

where:

• School children are able to learn a range of core

competencies
• Out – of- school youth and adult learners are
provided alternative learning programs
SECTION. 4 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Alternative Learning System

• to provide a viable alternative to the existing formal
education instruction
 
Cluster of Schools
• A group of schools which are geographically
contiguous and brought together to improve the
learner’s outcomes.
Basic Education
Education intended to meet basic learning needs which
lays the foundation on which subsequent learning can
be based
Encompasses early childhood, elementary and high
school education as well as alternative learning systems
for out-of-school youth and adult learners and includes
education for those with special needs
SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Formal Education
• Systematic and deliberate process of hierarchically structured and
sequential learning corresponding to the general concept of elementary
and secondary level of schooling.

Information Education
• A lifelong process of learning by which every person acquires and
accumulates knowledge, skills, attitudes and insights from daily
experiences at home, at work, at play and from life itself.

Integrated Schools
• A school that offers a complete basic education in one school site and has
unified instructional programs.
 
SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Learner Non-Formal Education
Any individual seeking basic literacy skills and functional • Any organized, systematic educational activity carried
like skills or support services for the improvement of the outside the framework of the formal system to provide
quality of his/her life selected types of learning to a segment of the
  population.

Learning Center Quality Education

• A physical space to house learning resources and • The appropriateness, relevance and excellence of the
facilities of a learning program for out-of-school youth education given to meet the needs and aspirations of
and adults. an individual and society.

Learning Facilitator
• The key-learning support person who is responsible for
supervising/facilitating the learning process and
activities of the learners.
School
• An educational institution, private and public,
undertaking educational operation which a specific
age-group of pupils or students pursuing defined
studies at defined levels, receiving instruction from
teachers.
 Trifocal agencies in education:
Their commitments and gains

Dr. Rex Casiple EDUCATION UPDATES

 In the 1987 Constitution, the State is mandated to protect and promote the right of
all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make
education accessible to all. In 1990, the Congressional Commission on Education
(EDCOM) was created by Congress to review and assess the Philippine education
system. And based on the EDCOM’s findings and recommendations, the tri-
focalization of the Philippine education system was executed through:
A. The creation of the Commission on Higher
Education(CHED) in 1994 through Republic
Act7722;

B. The creation of Technical Education and

Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in 1994
through RA 7796;

C. and the transformation of the Department

of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to the
Department of Education (DepEd) in 2001
through RA 9155
The CHED covers both public and private higher
education institutions (HWIs) as well as degree –
granting program post-secondary educational
institutions.

These trifocal agencies in education

convened the Philippine Education Summit
to build commitments, tackle the concerns
of the education sector and solicit
The TESDA covers the basic education. feedbacks and inputs from the key
stakeholders in education.

The TESDA covers the technical-vocational

education.
The trifocal agencies have 10 commitments to pursue:
• The expansion and intensification of programs that
promote access education, such as the Alternative
Learning System (ALS), the Expanded Tertiary
• The effective, timely and efficient budget
Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program
execution at all levels of education;
(ETEEAP), and the full implementation of RA
106871 or the Unified Student Financial Assistance
System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST);

• The professional development and • The full implementation of the Philippine

certification of faculty, teachers, trainers, Qualification Framework of Science; Technology
learning facilitators, assessors, and non- and Innovation courses in the Arts, Culture, and
teaching personnel; Humanities.